“Peace of mind and physical well-being are closely related. Some years ago, a scientist at Emory University told me that continuous anger, fear and suspicion tend to eat into our immune system. Besides, peace of mind and warm-heartedness bring us confidence.”
– Dalai Lama tweet May 21
Well said. Mind, emotions, and body are closely interrelated. Each affects the other. Physical well-being affects peace of mind as well.
Yet further, each has to be taken care of on its own level. Ideas of well-being have to be acted on. You can’t heal the body by thinking about it. Similarly, mind can’t heal emotions.
Becoming established in being brings a peace larger than we can muster from the mind alone. It washes us in peace and happiness.
Nonetheless, we still have to take care of the body and mind. Dwelling in an abstracted state doesn’t lead to a well-integrated life.
Events and purification will arise that disturb the calm of the mind, body, or emotions. But processing those experiences and coming back to the Self will restore our wholeness.
At first “coming back” can mean bringing the attention back to. But once fully established, it’s more like shifting focus. Self is ever present, but surface experiences may sometimes dominate the attention. Silence can be loud or quiet. 😉
Davidya
Thank you Davidya, I’ve been watching your videos for maybe 2 years and love them! And reading your book Our Natural Potential… i really enjoy what you have to say and appreciate the wisdom you impart. I’m currently struggling with pain from losing my Dad and especially guilt from not being there more for him when i could have. My heart just stays in the past and goes over everything i could have done differently and i’m so sad with a heavy heart and tears for not giving more of myself to him. He was a good dad as well. I have a meditation practice and prayers i do but this is weighing so much on me i can’t meditate. Not sure what to do? Could you kindly offer any advice? Thank you, B
Thanks, B.
Firstly, I’d like to be clear I’m not a counselor. You may find seeing a professional helpful to guide you through processing the experience. Death of a partner or parent are among the most emotionally traumatic experiences we’ll commonly experience. Give yourself time and space. I’ve written about the stages of processing grief in articles like this:
https://davidya.ca/2010/05/07/processing-grief/
It’s also very common for grief to bring guilt along, sometimes because of unfinished business we had with them, sometimes in surfacing what is unresolved in us. We also may use one emotion to resist experiencing another. For example, it may be easier to dwell in past guilt than be present with the loss & grief now. All of this is common and normal for the process. Don’t feel bad about any of this coming up. And try not to take the stories the mind may tell of should-haves too seriously.
A timeout from other practices can be good when we have something major to work through. Instead be with what is rising and work through it. If you sit with the emotions, you may find the attention naturally goes to some area in the body. Sensations can arise there, indicating purification. Allow that to unfold. And rest afterward.
Talking it out, walking, and some light yoga can be helpful. But talk about how you feel rather than going into stories of self-blame. Mind doesn’t heal emotions. Also try to maintain some routine with sleep, food, etc. Getting tired and eating badly don’t help. Avoid fighting what you need. Extra sleep may be needed, for example.
Allow the feelings. Allow the tears.
And know that while the form of your dad is gone, who he is within remains. He’s moved on to another chapter in his journey and you’ll come out the other side with your love intact.
Thank you for sharing that quote. I needed to hear that to see that. ❤️ I never thought of suspicion as an ego thing to be seen prior.
Hi Kerri
It is good to be discriminating. But when it shows up as resistance, then we’re in judgement and emphasizing the negative. Fear and unresolved prior experiences drive suspicion.