Creating Peace of Mind

Peace of Mind. There is a reason this saying has so much meaning. When we desire peace it starts with the thoughts within our own head, not our external environment. Critical, judgemental, controlling, discontent, annoyed, worried, dissatisfied, uneasy, dismayed all of these states of mind are the opposite of peace of mind. The more we dwell in thoughts of discontent the more our inner world looks a lot like our outer world. The good news is, once we are aware of the downward spiral our thoughts are taking us we can begin to stop the spiral’s momentum by creating a pause to allow the emotional charge of our thoughts to dissipate. Then consciously, we can shift our thinking away from the topic which is creating disharmony.

There is a crucial next step which is often bypassed. You need to consciously return to the subject you were focused on to actively problem solve or bring awareness to the issue that requires more insight. This proactive step creates the upward momentum of the spiral towards greater peace of mind.

Sometimes, in order to do this next step we need to feel safe. There are a number of ways we can create a safe container for ourselves before we go deeper in our process. Feeling grounded is an important step and can be as simple as feeling the support of your body on the chair you are sitting in. Or, if your awareness and/or spiritual practice has taught you, you can feel your energy deeper into the earth. Other ways to create safety is to feel your Spirit within and breathe to expand that sense of awareness within you and all around you. Or, you can pray and ask for protection or a combination of any of the above.

Once you feel grounded and centred then return consciously to the issue that requires your awareness with the intention of bringing more coherence between your thoughts and your heart. What do I mean by coherence? There is clarity and cooperation between your heart, mind and emotions which builds more resiliency.

From this place be with the concern and consciously problem solve the issue. Sometimes it helps to talk the situation through with a neutral third party. Other times journal writing helps. Others like to go into nature and reflect on the problem or talk with a friend. We each have our own style and each situation has its unique need to resolve the concern. Whatever your method, the key is to consciously reflect on solutions which create a greater peace of mind. If you are able, being in your heart in a state of peace creates greater coherence between the heart and mind.

Once the seeds of peace are sown, the garden needs tending. When we start a new habit or want to support the new neural pathways our awareness has brought to consciousness, the new insights are like seeds buried deep in the ground - out of sight, yet very much alive and in the earliest stages of development. So, they need to be watered and cared for. What this means is you may need to nurture, be aware of your new habit or take active steps to build the new neural pathways.

This to is a step which is often neglected. We think “I got this!” Or, “Finally. it’s over!”  These thoughts hold the expectation that the lessons have been learned and we can move on. In actuality, we get distracted, go unconscious, get busy with life or get quickly tested to see if we are really committed to changing. The lesson was learned, but it is not an isolated lesson, it is part of the whole and does not evolve separated from everything else. The soil of the environment it lives in and the quality of care to support it to root creates the foundation for the seed to bloom and flourish. So, If you keep polluting your mind with thoughts of discontent the new seeds will not grow or will not be as hearty if they do so. The content of the thoughts within your head and your emotions need to be tended to.

All of this takes practice and does not happen overnight. So, what happens if you are in circumstances where there is a lot of chaos around you that is effecting your peace of mind? Again nature helps us. In the eye of a storm there is calm. This is the place were we can ground to feel safe and begin to witness the new seeds. Beyond the eye of the storm is where the hazardous wind and rain picks up. It is our assumption that the issue is now gone, resolved, finished that is the wind and rain which can pick up momentum again and spiral downwards when we get upset that the issue is back.

Again, nature provides the answers on how to move out of the eye of a storm. When you are caught in a river eddy - spirialling water - your instinct is to begin climbing the ladder towards the light you can see above you. However, you will drown and never reach the light if you keep doing this. What you actually need to do is lower your head above your feet and you will shoot out of the spiralling water. Basically, get out of your head and Ground. Your feet are more important than your head. Once out of the spiral you will naturally moved to the light.

Nature provides the answers for how we can seek peace and nurture peace. What lessons has She taught you?