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TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR PEACE OF MIND
By Gyan Rajhans, P.Eng.
I have been asked to speak on the ways and means to attain peace of mind, the most sought after objective/commodity of the human race since time immemorial. In the modern age, especially in North America, it would appear that most of us are in a state of perpetual restlessness despite enjoying good health care and basic economic security. Analyzing the causes of this restlessness has led me to identify ten possible solutions to attain peace of mind. I have called them "Ten commandments", because they need to be followed religiously if we are sincere to achieve perfect peace of mind. Here they are with brief explanations:
1. Forgive And Forget.
This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop
ill
feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms
us. We
nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep,
development of
stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury
was done
once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly
remembering
it. Get over this bad habit. Believe in the justice of God and
the doctrine
of Karma. Let Him judge the act of the one who insulted you.
Life is too
short to waste in such trifles. Forgive, Forget, and march on.
Love
flourishes in giving and forgiving.
2. Do Not Crave For Recognition.
This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody
without
selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in
power, but no
sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement
and will
start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yourself in
striving
for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the
aggravation. Do
your duties ethically and sincerely and leave the rest to God.
3. Do Not Be Jealous.
We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of
mind. You know
that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but
sometimes they
get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years
ago, but
you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is
only one year
old. There are several examples like these in everyday life.
Should you be
jealous? No. Remember everybody's life is shaped by his or her
previous
Karma, which has now become his destiny. If you are destined to
be rich,
nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined,
no one can
help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for
your
misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only
take away your
peace of mind.
4. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked.
Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in
others'
affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves
that our way
is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do
not conform
to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right
direction, our
direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality
and
consequently the existence of God. God has created each one of
us in a
unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the
same way.
All men or women act the way they do because God within them
prompts them
that way. There is God to look after everything. Why are you
bothered? Mind
your own business and you will keep your peace.
5. Change Yourself According To The Environment.
If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.
6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured.
This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage.
Every day we
face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and
accidents that are
beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we
must learn
to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them
cheerfully
thinking, "God wills it so, so be it." God's plan is beyond our
comprehension. Believe in it and you will gain in terms of
patience, inner
strength and will power.
7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew.
This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to
take more
responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is
done to
satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. Why take on additional
loads that
may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by
expanding your
external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend
time in
prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those
thoughts in
your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce
greater
peace of mind.
8. Meditate Regularly.
Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily mediation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.
9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant.
An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in
the vacant
mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something
worthwhile.
Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest.
You must
decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby,
like social
work or mosque/temple work, may not always earn you more money,
but you will have
a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are
resting
physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental
chanting of God's
name.
10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret.
Do not waste time in protracted wondering "Should I or shouldn't
I?" Days,
weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental
debating. You
can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all
future
happenings. Always remember, God has His own plan, too for you.
Value your
time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter
if you fail
the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the
next time.
Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your
mistakes,
but do not brood over the past. DO NO REGRET. Whatever happened
was destined
to happen only that way. Take it as the Will of God. You do not
have the
power to alter the course of God's Will. Why cry over spilt
milk? If you did
something bad make a mental note of it and try not to do it
again.
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