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Even though the Buddha lived centuries ago, his teachings resonate now more than ever before. Acceptance, meditation, mindfulness, compassion — these principles of Buddhism have become well-respected approaches worldwide for supporting mental health and managing stress. Explore these spiritual lessons from Buddhism to lead a more peaceful, engaged life.
Embrace Change
At its core, Buddhism really looks at the root of suffering and how to alleviate it. The BBC reports that attachment, or clinging to impermanent things, causes dissatisfaction when those circumstances inevitably change or are lost.
It makes total sense when you think about it. After all, everything changes. People come and go. Things break. Dreams don’t always pan out. Even your ideas and identity evolve. But, when you cling to any of it like it’s permanent, you set yourself up for a world of hurt.
That’s where letting go comes into play. When you stop gripping so tightly to everything, you experience life as it comes. By embracing change, you learn to go with the flow. You live in accordance with the natural order and work towards freedom from suffering.
Master Your Mind
Your thoughts can be your best friend, or your own worst enemy. According to Medium, the untrained mind can get lost in a constant cycle of comparison, worrying, and overthinking.
That’s why Buddhism teaches to train your mind, through meditation. When you think about it, this practice puts great power in your hands. After all, you cannot control everything around you. But, you can control how you react to it.
So, when circumstances don’t go your way, reframe your mindset. Look at challenges as your teacher. Take difficulties as opportunities to learn and grow. During the toughest of times, can you try and focus on the blessings in your life? This outlook can alleviate suffering and may bring you joy and comfort even in the midst of sorrow.
Live in the Present
Rooted in Eastern philosophy, mindfulness has become a global phenomenon these days well outside of Buddhist circles, featured in podcasts, books, and medical practices. Psychology Today explains that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) applies mindfulness techniques such as present moment awareness, meditation, and breathing exercises to support mental health.
So, what does mindfulness really mean? The practice involves being present in the moment without judgment. It sounds simple enough. But, the monkey mind tends to jump to all sorts of distractions, often lamenting the past or overthinking the future. Sound familiar?
To truly master mindfulness, you must train yourself. The Buddhist tradition has many techniques for achieving mindfulness. According to the Tricycle organization, these can include methods like focused breathing, chanting, or walking meditation. Metta, or loving kindness meditation, involves meditating on goodwill and sending love out to the world.
Try out different mindfulness practices to see which works best for you. Over time, you’ll learn to live calmly in the present and develop a greater sense of self-awareness, peace, and gratitude.
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