The Body/Mind Link for Inner Peace
by Paul R. Scheele

Being at peace is the wonderful state of mind and body where all is calm, where thoughts are quiet and serene, and where muscles are relaxed and comfortable.  In this article, you’ll learn how to attain this inner peace in a matter of minutes.

Once you are adept at controlling your mind and body, you are always only one simple thought away from perfect peacefulness.  You can “will” perfect peacefulness at any time.  You will be able to move out of stressful situations immediately.  All you need to do is follow a few simple steps to train yourself.  A little practice is all that is required.  But, you must take the time to direct the mind and body in positive ways so that you can ensure the pleasures of inner peace.

You’re at the wheel.  So let’s drive on!

Let peace happen.

Being at peace is a choice.  When we stop struggling and fighting the world around us—and the world within us—peace can happen.  Our individual fight is with our thoughts, emotions and physical bodies.  The fighting can be directed toward ourselves or those we face each day.  Here are several approaches to quickly give up the fight and win at the same time.

There are many ways your physical body can take on struggles you face each day.   Maybe you clench your jaw when you get mad.  Maybe you collect tension across the back of your neck and shoulders.  Maybe butterflies trouble your stomach.  The first step is being aware of what you are doing.  The second step is to consciously make the choice to release the tension.

Your mind takes on struggles in the form of mental images.  Do you tend to imagine the ideal end result or the worst possible situation?  Troubling and negative mental images translate into unpleasant emotions and stressful physical reactions.  Choose carefully the thoughts you think because they absolutely affect how you feel.  Realize that the only person who can change your thoughts is you.  You can then take charge and change your thoughts for the better.

Emotions are natural physiological changes that occur when thoughts are held in your mind.  You can easily direct your emotional states by changing your posture; for example, sit straight, tilt your head, use facial expressions, walk differently, etc.   You can also direct your emotional states by holding brighter and more pleasing visual images in mind.  You have the choice, but you must make the choice.

Creating Peace of Mind

To create peace within yourself, simply relax your body and breathing; then, direct the mind.

A still body is the reflection of a calm mind, but the mind cannot be still until the body is still.  Begin by making your body comfortable.  Then release areas of tension.  As example, gentle movements of the neck and shoulder muscles can help stretch and release tension in those areas. 

Breathing in an even and steady way will quickly calm both the body and mind.  Make the inhale and exhale of equal length without any pauses in between.  Your breathing will become smooth and even.

The next step is to quiet the mind.  Start by bringing your awareness into this present moment, here and now.  By doing this you can effectively eliminate distracting or troubling thoughts.  Any anxieties about the future or tensions from the past will leave your mind and body. 

Another way to direct the mind is to direct your inner voice--especially if it is anxious or overbearing.  Play with the idea of changing the volume of your inner voice.  Have it be quieter.  Modify the tone of you inner voice until it is pleasant, warm and nurturing.  You can have it say pleasant and comforting words to you—words of encouragement and self esteem.  Some people even repeat soothing  words or phrases in a rhythmic way.

The final step is to hold images that encourage a peaceful mind.  For thousands of years, prayerful and meditative people have directed the mind by holding steady mental pictures.  For example, the image of a candle flame can be used to concentrate one’s attention and steady the mind.  You can use images of a peaceful scene from nature, a vacation setting, an imaginary room of comfort, a cathedral, rose bushes, or anything calming, wonderful, and peaceful.

What To Do Once You’ve Got There.

Getting to a relaxed state of mind and body by the above steps may take 20-30 minutes at first.  With practice, however, you’ll be able to accomplish this within a few minutes.

When you try to extend this peaceful feeling for long periods of time, you may find that your mind will race to other thoughts.  After all, your mind is trained to race, to go full throttle, all day long.  If you  suddenly stop for 20 minutes, will your mind to cooperate?  No.  It will do what you trained it to do for the 16 hours--race! 

So, what’s the solution?  How do you create a peace-filled life, and not peaceful three-minute spurts?  Take it one moment and one thought at a time.  Bring peaceful, serene, and positive images and feelings into the rest of your day.  Learn to release tensions as they occur.  Learn to direct your thoughts and emotions at the time they start getting out of hand.  You’ll discover that not only can you create a peacefulness, but you are living a peace-filled life.

 

Learn more about Paul at Learning Strategies Corporation

 

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