It seems everything I used to do to deal with difficulty and stress in my life was counterproductive.
I used to stress my muscles and overwhelm my mind unnecessarily throughout the day, particularly when I felt uneasy physically, mentally or emotionally. This was counterproductive and just made bad situations worse. Yet, I never realized it, nor did anyone tell me about it.
It is better to relax my muscles when I am in pain, when I am cold, when I am disturbed, when I am under any kind of stress, even though my body's reflex reaction is to tense my muscles under these kinds of circumstances.
Sounds simple right? Well, why haven't I learned it yet? Why didn't I hear about it when I was growing up?
I have spent thousands of hours during high school and college learning things that I never used neither in my daily life nor in my professional career, such as calculus, imaginary numbers, and ancient poetry.
Why hasn't anyone told me how to deal with stress, which is something I will face every day of my life at one level or another?
It has taken me more than two years—through yoga, breath work and mindfulness—to unlearn the bad habits that I have acquired throughout my life and learn new habits that are more productive.
It has been rather difficult reversing decades of destructive thinking practices and unhealthy ways of using my body.
If I had learned what I know now much earlier in life, I would have saved myself a lot of suffering, or it would have taken me less time to learn positive habits of thinking.
I think our educational system needs revamping to focus on the things that are important on a daily basis for a successful and productive life, like staying relaxed, positive and happy.
Why isn't this more commonly known?
Instead of running away from pain or discomfort, it is more beneficial to embraces it.
Why don't more people know about this? Why isn't it emphasized?
It's a simple "think outside of the box" idea. Why is it that only Buddhist philosophy has recognized it?
Sunday, November 8, 2009
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1 comments:
Good point, Lina! Growing up in India, we had Yoga classes in high school everyday, and the breathing and relaxing techniques it taught me has stayed with me through life. I am almost 50 now. It is not unique to Buddhist philosophy though, and is something that is practised as part of the prayer routine in every Hindu household, although Yoga itself is a secular practice and is not a religious practice in any way. I love your blog. Keep it up! I wish all youngsters were as mindful as you are about the world around you.
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