"At the heart of zen is the idea of enjoying the now."
"If you think about it, everything that bothered you yesterday is already over, and everything that will bother you tomorrow hasn't happened yet. So, why stress?"
"It's a bit metaphysical, we admit, but letting zen into your life means building your happiness - and allowing yourself to discover how to fall asleep quickly. We'll show you how to start, gently, like everything you should do in life. ~"
Self-made happiness
"We are what we think. All that we are arises from our thoughts. With our thoughts, we build our world." said Buddha. And he is absolutely right.
Your mood is a bit like a muscle: the more you train yourself to stay positive, the easier it will be, and the better you’ll succeed. The media try to make you believe that happiness comes ready-made in a pretty gift box with a ribbon: love, wealth, fame... But the first thing to understand about life (the sooner the better!) is that being happy, IT’S LEARNED.
To delve into Buddha’s brain, take a little tour on our reading list !
Focus on the present
What’s done is done; lamenting over your (tragic) past at best serves to learn lessons from your mistakes (which you should do at least a little, that’s true), at worst it drags your mood down. How to stay in the moment?
Appreciate what you have today
Be grateful for the things you have (and don’t say nothing. You at least have a working internet connection).
Say no to excessive materialism
You may not have the latest iPhone, but you have friends who answer the phone when you call them, which is already something. And if they don’t answer, well maybe it’s time to learn to change your circle and stay positive.
Have confidence in yourself
Summon your inner L’Oréal to motivate yourself every day, because you’re worth it.
Slow down your movements
One technique to succeed in slowing down your thoughts is to slow down... your body!
Take the time to take your time. Take time for a real breakfast, a proper lunch break, and force yourself to take small breaks during the day. You must not feel guilty! Breaks help you stay focused on your tasks and improve your productivity.
If during the day you feel particularly stressed or anxious, take a moment to focus on a slow task. What’s important is to slow your heart rate with your breathing and your attention to the beauty of the movement.
This technique, relatively well-known thanks to tai chi, the martial art practiced by Chinese grandmothers and young American women who have read Eat Pray Love, allows you to become aware of your body and movements in order to calm yourself and clear negative thoughts.
Introduction to Meditation
"The important thing is to do your best," says the Dalai Lama. Thinking about nothing can be hard to achieve, and that's perfectly normal. No need to be religious or follow a certain philosophy to meditate - wanting to feel good in your skin is enough.
- Samatha meditation
Samatha is the meditation of mental tranquility. It's a concentration technique that trains the mind to stay calm despite intrusive thoughts.
Sit cross-legged, or in lotus position, with your back and neck straight.
Relax your face and shoulders, tuck your chin in very slightly, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing.
Pay attention to the small triangle you have between your upper lip and your nostrils with each breath.
If your mind wanders, no problem! Just notice that you thought about something else, then guide your mind back to its original focus.
- Mentally benefiting from the present
If you have trouble confining yourself to the present, try this tip from Practicing the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, an American bestseller since 1997 offering meditation exercises.
If you can't stop yourself from thinking about something else, observe yourself thinking about something else. You follow? X)
If you think about something else, it's because it's either worse or better than the present moment. (Otherwise, no need to think about it, obviously.) The moment you notice you're thinking about something else, you've managed to break the cycle! You are conscious of the present again.
You can also observe your reactions and emotions. You become the "silent witness" of your thoughts, it's the key to controlling your happiness
On the same topic:
Change your diet, change your sleep
Fall asleep quickly without suffering from screens
Good mood puts you in good conditions for sleep
Get tired, get tired again they said... and it's true!
