Simple, key advice: on health, & peace of mind

You have to refuse, categorically: hurry, worry, self-recrimination and blame. You do your best, and live in peace. I had accomplished that state of mind, four years ago. It is possible – and it is incomparably better. I now find these things difficult, once again.

(20th century modern society was stress-ridden, and frankly insane. Erich Fromm was right. In 2020, we sailed over the cliff. Now it’s a madhouse.)

But yes, these things are worth striving for. And yes, they are attainable. Inner peace is a sensible aim. And I can guarantee you, it is indeed achievable. But as with nearly everything that is worth striving for, you start, one single step at a time – with the ground beneath your feet.

JTR,

August 2, 2020

 

Post-Script:

How on earth do you attain that? How is it possible, in this world, in this society, in this time, to have even some small degree of peace? Not by trying to control things. That doesn’t work. Nor be being passive, hesitating, or avoidant – that doesn’t work either. It is mind training, above all, that works, and transforms your life.

(The Western psychotherapy comparison might be cognitive behavioural therapy, although I am not familiar with it, but have heard very good things about it. Working with your own thoughts is the simple, straightforward way of putting it.)

Also extremely helpful, and complimentary, are:

Mindfulness meditation

Yoga

Pranayama

T’ai Chi

Chi Gong

Saunas

Forest bathing

Walking and hiking

A healthy diet

Unplugging – limiting time with electronic media

Avoiding physical and mental toxins

Nearly any kind of exercise

Prayer (Yes, prayer. See Dr. Larry Dossey on the power of prayer.)

Aromatherapy (No, it is not a cure-all, but it is very helpful.)

Body-centred therapies – many kinds exist, from massage, to acupuncture, to reflexology, and many more

Psychotherapy – and no, you need not be “psycho” to go. Most people have stress, a few bad habits of body or mind, or baggage from the past, if not all three. Various types of psychotherapy can be helpful. So can journalling, solitude, reflection, or talking with a friend. And they are not mutually exclusive, of course.

Nature therapy – meaning simply: Get outside!!!

Choose tools that appeal to you, and suit you, then use them. But above all, it comes down to training your own mind. It is possible. And it is most definitely worth the effort.

 

For more information, see the three best sources – that I know of – for reliable, science-based health info:

GreenMedInfo

Gary Null

Andrew Weil

 

For meditation and psychology, see:

The Dalai Lama

Allan Wallace

Alan Watts

Ken Wilber

Erich Fromm

Joanna Macy

John Kabbat-Zinn