I was inspired by a coaching call last night. After what I felt (my own judgement) was a convoluted path, we came to the practise for what brings him peace when he feels anxious - and what peace looks like. For him it was a golden light.
It made me wonder what peace looks like for me and in me and what it will take from me to let go of some of the stuff I hold on to and be at peace.
There are many quotes/sayings about Inner Peace - our true state of being, being calm in heart when all around us is in chaos, not letting events control your emotions.
It sounds so easy - and maybe it is and I make it more difficult than it needs to be, something I have learnt I like to do - create problems and stress out of 'nothing'. Mountains out of molehills comes to mind. Why? - attention seeking, life boring otherwise, habit… whatever and why ever I do it, it serves me no purpose. Coaching to self - stop it…
Inner Peace - what does it look and feel like for me? What represents it externally and how does it feel internally.
External representation is easier - Buddha with his calm, serene face. As I thought about this I realised I have no Buddha’s in my home - so I am going to print off the image you see at the top of this blog, a photo I took of a small Buddha I had and mount it on my wall. I also find chant music very peaceful - a singer Deva Premal has the most stunning voice so I'm listening to her more.
Internally - what is it that churns me up inside so that I lose my peace? What do I get triggered by and does it matter what it is? It’s more about how I handle it when I sense it happen. When my button is pushed I feel my heart; it speeds up and it's as if I’ve drunk too much coffee! My brain goes into overdrive and the questions start which leads me into anxiety and loss of peace.
What to do in these situations?.
Stop and breathe.
Get out of my head and “into” the person who is speaking; be curious about what their stand is, what’s going on for them and where they are coming from. Not the words they are saying but what's behind the words, what they care about.
By taking me out of it and focussing on others, I bring me back to what is important - what my purpose is and what I am committed to.
Ah - breathe…
It is an on-going process, sensing in myself when I'm set off into the habits that do me no favours and creating what to do to not let it happen and then the big thing - practise…
A very beautiful person I know shared a change to the saying practise makes perfect -
PRACTISE MAKES PERMANENT
As for you my wonderful reader - is there a practise for you to stay calm - peaceful - content - whatever it is you want to bring into your life? I’d love to and be grateful for hearing your stories..
Thanks
Lisa