Serenity of Mind
Understand these new words or phrases before you read this article.
1. serenity [si'ren?ti] n 平静，宁静
2. uplifting [?p'lifti?] adj. 令人振奋的
3. asset ['?set] n. 优点
4. compulsion [k?m'p?l??n] n. 强制
5. incessant [in'ses?nt] adj. 不停的
6. ingrained [,in'ɡreind] adj. 根深蒂固的
7. expertise [,eksp?:'ti:z] n. 专门知识
We enjoy inner peace and feel happy and satisfied when life flows smoothly and we have a good job, good relation-ships, good health, and our financial situation is good. When there is nothing to worry about, no tension and no hurry, we are at peace.
In day-to-day life it is not always like this. There is always something that causes worry, tension and lack of ease, and does not let us feel peaceful. In spite of this, we can enjoy peace regardless of our outer circumstances. Peace of mind is an inner state and is independent of outer conditions. Why wait for never for circumstances to be “right”? Why rely on outside circumstances to bring us peace of mind?
A person may be rich or poor. One may be healthy or sick, free, or live in closed cell. Inner peace and calmness is within reach of everyone. One can be a slave, the other free man, yet both have the potential to enjoy peace of mind.
Peace of mind seems to be in this world but out of this world. It is experienced here and now, yet independent of outer circumstances. Inner calmness and serenity can be experienced even under the most trying circumstances. Of course some training is needed first.
Thoughts and Peace of Mind
Thoughts arise in us and we think them. We may choose to ignore them and experience real inner freedom, or we may choose to water them with the power of our attention and make them grow.
When you have to think, choose only positive, happy and uplifting thoughts. Think about and imagine only what you really and truly desire and that will come to pass. Always remember that life is shaped according to your thoughts.
When the mind is silent there is happiness inside and happiness outside.
It is a great asset and advantage to be able to silence the mind when its services are not needed.
The attainment of serenity of mind, which is actually freedom from the compulsion of incessant thinking, is open for everyone, provided the proper training is taken. Just reading this article you will not bring you peace of mind. When you understand the value of inner peace, and you have a true desire to succeed, nothing can stand in your way. Though this is an inner power, the way to its attainment is not different from other tangible goals. Work and persistence are necessary.
Most people are enslaved by their thoughts. It does not occur to man that he can become free from their grasp. From the moment we wake up in the morning to the moment we fall asleep at night, this chatter of the mind continues incessantly. The habit of thinking is very deeply ingrained in the human race. Yet, this habit can be
undone.
To change or stop a habit we have to act consciously in the opposite direction. Whatever new skill we develop, we have to work at it until it turns into second nature, and becomes easy to perform. The same is with mind control.
True control of the mind is not just the ability to concentrate on one thought and disregard other thoughts. It is the ability to cleanse the mind completely and make it silent. A great Indian sage said: “Mind is only a bundle of thoughts, stop thinking and show me the mind.”
When one is really free from thoughts he becomes free from the mind as both are one and the same thing. One comes to see and understand the illusiveness of the mind. When the clouds hide the sun, it is still there, beyond the clouds. Our Essence, our inner Self, is always here. We only need to remove the sheets and covers that envelope it in order to experience peace and calmness. These sheets and covers are our thoughts, ideas, habits and beliefs. I do not mean to tell you that you have to stop using your mind. You need it in order to carry on your life. I mean that it has to be under the control of the Self. It should be your servant to serve you fight, and not your master.
Advice for Attaining Serenity of Mind
You don’t have to feel uncomfortable with words such as Self, Inner Self Essence, Universal Consciousness etc. They may now seem to you meaningless “high” words, but they are not. They symbolize something very real, not hazy concepts. Concentration and meditation make these words meaningful. Advancing on the spiritual path is not something hazy, imaginative and unpractical as some may imagine. By personal experience you will come to really know what I mean.
Everyone can learn a new language, but not everyone can reach the same level of expertise. Everyone can engage in bodybuilding, painting or writing, but each will reach a different level. It depends on the inner aptitude, the earnestness, and the time devoted to this activity. Yet, everyone can benefit from these activities. So it is with training towards freedom from thoughts.
Try to calm your mind when you feel agitated. Take a step back in your mind and watch it. This has the tendency to calm and relax the mind. Develop concentration power and meditate. All these actions calm the mind and make it serene.
Following the suggestions and using the techniques mentioned above will start you on a marvelous journey. Practice, read articles and books on the subject and persevere in your training. One day you may meet someone who may teach you personally, as the saying goes: “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”
