There's a book I want to recommend to all of my students. It offers not only the clearest explanation of Zen Buddhism that I've come across, but extremely practical and useful advice about meditating and controlling the mind.
Living Truth: the Path of Light by the Venerable Master Miao Tsan
offers this statement early on:
Master Your Mind,
Master Your Life.
Absolutely. Isn't it interesting the way we move around in our physical bodies without paying the least bit of attention to what we are thinking or how we are feeling? And then we wonder how we got where we are and why our lives are out of control. Where ever the mind goes, the corresponding energy will follow.
In addition to this book, I'd like to suggest a simple way to remind yourself to be mindful of your thoughts. Take a small piece of paper or an index card and on the front write: Every thought I think is creating my future. On the back of the card write: The Universe totally supports every thought I choose to think and believe. I have unlimited choices about what I think. I choose balance, harmony, and peace, and I express it in my Life. Decorate this little piece of paper front and back with symbols that bring a positive feeling. They can be butterflies, stars or anything that makes you smile. Now place this card somewhere that you will see it many times during the day. At least once a day, pick it up, turn it over, and read the back aloud as an affirmation.
The more often you practice changing your thoughts to something positive, the easier it will become. When you notice your mind wandering off to some negative fantasy, gently bring it back and replace those thoughts with something uplifting. I guarantee, over time, you will begin to see a difference in the thoughts your mind produces.
On a final note, I'd like to ask that we all try to let go of worrying about what we imagine others think of us. This habit causes much unhappiness among many people and, the truth of the matter is that what we imagine others think is only our own projection.
Shanti,
S.
Living Truth: the Path of Light by the Venerable Master Miao Tsan
offers this statement early on:
Master Your Mind,
Master Your Life.
Absolutely. Isn't it interesting the way we move around in our physical bodies without paying the least bit of attention to what we are thinking or how we are feeling? And then we wonder how we got where we are and why our lives are out of control. Where ever the mind goes, the corresponding energy will follow.
In addition to this book, I'd like to suggest a simple way to remind yourself to be mindful of your thoughts. Take a small piece of paper or an index card and on the front write: Every thought I think is creating my future. On the back of the card write: The Universe totally supports every thought I choose to think and believe. I have unlimited choices about what I think. I choose balance, harmony, and peace, and I express it in my Life. Decorate this little piece of paper front and back with symbols that bring a positive feeling. They can be butterflies, stars or anything that makes you smile. Now place this card somewhere that you will see it many times during the day. At least once a day, pick it up, turn it over, and read the back aloud as an affirmation.
The more often you practice changing your thoughts to something positive, the easier it will become. When you notice your mind wandering off to some negative fantasy, gently bring it back and replace those thoughts with something uplifting. I guarantee, over time, you will begin to see a difference in the thoughts your mind produces.
On a final note, I'd like to ask that we all try to let go of worrying about what we imagine others think of us. This habit causes much unhappiness among many people and, the truth of the matter is that what we imagine others think is only our own projection.
Shanti,
S.
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