Practicing meditation is the foundation for a relaxed and calm mind. If the mind is healthy, the physical body will also be healthy. What does it mean to have a healthy mind? The answer is actually very simple. The mind is a tool (which if used wisely) can be a tremendous asset. Problems begin to arise when thinking takes over completely and disconnects us from being in the moment. If the mind takes over completely, we lose control over our thoughts and we also lose our ability to stay calm. Problems can then begin to occur as a consequence of losing that stable foundation within ourselves. I started meditating regularly five years ago and since then, I have become so much more grounded and centred. Buddhist philosophy teaches us to be mindful of the present moment. People tend to live in a future projected existence which means there is little room for contentment.
Rather than allowing ourselves to be rocked relentlessly by tumultuous emotions, meditation helps to keep our attention focused on the here and now which reduces emotional disturbance. The mind is anchored in the present which means there is a better chance of being able to deal with any problems we may face. Within psychotherapy, these principles can be easily applied to working through personal difficulties. Meditation and mindfulness can be used for prevention and cure when it comes to approaching and dealing with a wide variety of psychological problems as it can help us to manage the emotional content of our lives through an enlightened perspective. Some psychological issues are fuelled by a perceived feeling of lack within ourselves and it is possible for physical illness to manifest as a consequence (such as bulimia and anorexia).
It is the mind's perception that is telling us we are not enough and so we go on and on trying to achieve the unobtainable. Desire is seen in Buddhism as contributing to human suffering and it is only when we relinquish desire that we can begin to find the contentment we seek. If we can learn to accept that we are enough as we are and can be happy with what we have in life, emotional turmoil has the potential to become greatly reduced. If this principle is applied to psychotherapy, the chances for long term success are greatly increased. If we imagine a ship at sea in the middle of a storm without an anchor, it will be thrown around without mercy by the waves. If the ship is anchored in a storm, there is less chance of the ship being thrown around by the sea. The same principle can be applied to meditation and the human mind. Meditation is the anchor. Mind is the sea. Like the sea, the mind has extraordinary depths and uncharted territory to explore!
If therapeutic techniques are harnessed with the intention of helping clients to practice mindfulness in their daily lives, psychotherapy could begin a new and exciting chapter. I believe psychotherapy is missing this key ingredient and until it is applied, people will only be allowed to progress forward as far as their personal issues will let them. Until a general realisation is accepted which conveys we are more than are thoughts and what we choose to identify with in life, progress will always be limited. Problems would not be able to take such a powerful hold over people's lives and solutions would become more apparent. So many people are identified with suffering without understanding the greater purpose as to why. Meditation and mindfulness brings clarity and understanding to every challenging situation we encounter. As soon as we realise the purpose behind suffering, we can then transcend it.
Copyright Christina McDonald 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment