“We need to improve the quality of our mind if we want to be truly happy.”
Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab
Motivation Challenge 1:
Identify three problems in your day. See if you can respond to each problem with a positive mind. How can you control your desire for things going a certain way and accept the situation as it is?
At the end of the day, reflect (i.e. journal) on what you learned from each problem. If you were able to help someone else, rejoice!
In doing mindful activities like this, we can accomplish two things:
- Accumulate positive karma through helping others, patiently accepting what is, and transforming adverse conditions
- Train our mind to become strong, peaceful and happy
Meditation: Challenge 1:
Spend one to two minutes meditating on how you helped others in your day. If no examples come to you, you can always imagine doing things to help others. Try to generate a warm feeling of love or compassion or gratitude toward the people you’ve helped. (Keep pets or animals in mind too – just as important as people!)
Spend two to three minutes meditating on this warm feeling at your heart. This is your object of meditation. Try and hold it for as long as possible. If your mind wanders, just bring it back to your object as soon as you notice. Do so without any judgment.
If this is your first time meditating, try repeating the following to yourself a few times before you start:
“I can meditate. I have the ability to hold my concentration. I will learn to develop concentration, because it is important. I can and I will focus on my object of meditation.”
This is more helpful than negative self talk like “I’m no good at meditating. Meditation isn’t for me. I’ll never be able to concentrate. I can’t control my mind.” These thoughts cause nothing but harm, so there is no purpose in encouraging them.
If you’re worried about getting “stuck” in meditation, simply set a timer for five to ten minutes, or whatever you can spare.
For a real challenge, try this for one whole week. Keep a journal and pay attention to how your mind is throughout the day. Do you feel as stressed? How is your patience? How are you sleeping?
I’m sending lots of love and positive energy your way. Good luck!
The Halfwit Writer 