These two years of pandemic are tiring, so I hereby share my seven steps to peace of mind: filter, settle, clarify, fathom, select, cultivate, and bloom.
- Filter
The information that enters the brain is spiritual food. Eating this spiritual food all the time will ruin your brain. Limit yourself to only 15 minutes of social media after lunch every day. When time becomes limited, a driving force will appear to actively filter information.
- Settle
Thoughts and emotions surge naturally. The solution is to settle your inner self several times a day. When waiting for the elevator or take-out meals, focus on your breathing. Lie flat on the bed at night. Put your palms up. Close your eyes. Imagine that you are a chunk of melting butter. Actively relax your body and mind. Enjoy this free tranquility.
- Clarify
There is a technique to “clarify” water by letting it rest so that the impurities will sink to the bottom. Filter out the noise. If you do this alongside the “settle” step, your mind will become clear and calm. Strength lies in calmness and stability: Concentration, rationality, social skills and self-control all require a calm mind.
- Fathom
After the previous three steps, your eyes will sharpen. Your field of vision will broaden. You will be able to see the cause and effect of things. When getting along with others, you can be aware of the subtext under others’ words and express your concern appropriately.
- Select
To choose means to give up. After following all the above steps, everyone should have the power to decide what is valuable and make wise choices. Like what to watch as spiritual food? What to do on weekend mornings?
- Cultivate
You need to create a sense of joy every day. Things that make people happy require effort. These things have visible results and we should see value in them. Choose something that you find meaningful, beautiful, and interesting. Then work hard to cultivate results. This could be baking, potting, writing, yoga, physical training, etc. Focusing on your cultivation also helps to settle your tumbling emotions.
- Bloom
In all areas of life, success requires cultivation. A beautiful life is like a garden, made up of many tiny flowers. Filter, settle, clarify, fathom, select, and cultivate every day to build your beautiful garden in the personal, familial, and professional world.
Written by: Dr. William Chui
Originally posted on: Health HKEJ
Translated by: Cheuk Long Chan
