The five steps to a peaceful mind - Part 1

In simple terms, peace of mind means the absence of worry. Peace of mind can also be described as inner calmness or a state of serenity. We will take you through a five-step process to help you find that elusive peace of mind.

The first step is to be aware of your present state of mind and not remain in denial. Any constructive change starts with the awareness that you have a problem. Reflecting on these crucial questions in life will help you understand the depth of the challenge you face.

Are you unruffled by the day-to-day challenges?

Are you kind to yourself?

Do you accept what you can’t control or change?

Are you able to forgive people?

Do you love your job?

Are you in a happy relationship?

Even if you have answered in the negative to even one of the above questions, you are likely to be stressed, worried, or anxious, and these destructive emotions will destroy your peace of mind.

This awareness leads to the acceptance that you lack the essential peace of mind desirable to lead a happy and contended life. Hoping people will change or situations will improve someday is like throwing a coin into a bottomless wishing well. The onus remains with us to find crystal-clear solutions in the middle of all the chaos we face.

The second step is a deep desire to change for the better. Ask yourself honestly: are you willing to work towards finding peace of mind? Yes, the climb is going to be tedious, but character is never built overnight.

The third step is to start benchmarking all areas of your life, ranging from your health, job, relationships, habits, and things that are significant to you. This is to evaluate and measure where you stand. Things that don't get measured don’t change.

These steps are the starting points on the journey towards Shanti, a Sanskrit word that has been associated with peace in body, mind, and spirit in Hinduism and Buddhism.

Before you go ahead, we request that our readers reflect on the six questions. Ask yourself why these things are happening to you, and whether you can change anything by being proactive.

We will take you through the next two steps, which are ancient practices that, when cultivated, will provide peaceful solutions for the modern world you live in. Remember, there is no greater wealth in the world than peace of mind.

(Continue reading part-2)