“The mind is everything. What you think you become.” – Buddha
Hey there, stop with whatever you’re doing right now. I want you to look around you. What do you see? The phone, tablet, laptop, table, chair, wall, bed, building, or anything that you see, is man-made or requires something that’s man-made. So what’s the catch? What am I really trying to convey over here? Well..we shall see. In return, I only ask for one thing, do not read this while multitasking. Because multitasking is a myth. Now, let’s begin, whenever you are ready. 👍
Do you know what’s the most powerful organ of the human body? Hint: We are only able to use 10% of it. It’s the brain. The most powerful, period. Yet, we have no idea how to control our minds. How to rewire our brains. How to master mindfulness. We weren’t born with a manual, nor did anyone teach us. We just grew up. Grew up surrounded by the noises, the distractions, the temptations. We started practising distractions to a point where we are mastering them, be it unconsciously. That right there is the ‘law of practice’. The law of practice states that you become good at whatever you practice - be it positive or negative.
The Mental Health Dilemma 🤔
People blame technology. They say it takes a toll on their mental health. Think about it. Why do you think some people are making a fortune with that same technology that could be blamed for all sorts of unhealthy behavioural patterns. It’s because technology or social media (where we invest most of our time nowadays) in itself is not a bad thing. Social media provides both - negative and positive content. So the question remains - what or who is to be blamed?
And the answer is, to get to the root cause. If you’re the one blaming social media or technology for taking a toll on your life, then maybe it’s you, not the technology. It’s the content you’re consuming. Every time your phone beeps and you go on saying “YES MASTER!” then it’s you, not your phone. You have become a slave and the answer lies in being mindful.
Activity: Instagram shows you more of what you consume. That is the algorithm. It’s time to break the cycle. So here’s a list of mental health advocates you can follow next time you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through Instagram.
1. Manifesto Journal
2. Steven
3. Beer Biceps
4. Gaur Gopal Das
5. Jay Shetty
6. Tom Bilyeu
Still, it’s impossible to escape from the reality. We live in a world where it has become almost impossible to avoid all the noises, the distractions around us. Even noise cancellation headphones couldn’t help us stay focused for a long time. Distracting thoughts come and go. So then how to tackle it?
Understanding Your Brain 💡
We must once again identify the underlying cause. We need to understand how our brain works. And once you know how it functions, you can gain control of your mind. You cannot control something you don’t understand. So our brain functions on the basis of one law. That law is known as the law of thermodynamics. This law of thermodynamics states that energy in any form, cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be transferred from one place to another. But why is that important? Why are we talking about energies all of a sudden, you may ask? That’s because everyone around us is made up of energy.
Everything is made up of energy and this energy revolves at some level of frequency. Now if you are able to catch these frequencies, then you are in the driver seat, my friend. You are in control. You are manifesting your life.
Tools & Techniques ✅
So this is just a glimpse of how you can control everything around you if and only if, you know how to control yourself i.e. the brain. And to control yourself, you have to be mindful. Now there are a set of tools and techniques to bring this mindfulness into our everyday life, else it won’t make any sense. Awareness without implementation won’t get you anywhere. So here’s what it takes 👇
1. Meditation
This is the most important and well-known technique to control your mind. There are all sorts of meditation - guided meditation, sleep meditation, visualisation, manifestation, yoga, etc. But what it simply means, sitting with yourself and being still. The more you practice, the more you become good at it - the law of practice.
2. Breathwork
Every emotion is controlled by your breath. Notice it by yourself. When you’re anxious, your breath becomes fast. When you’re relaxed, it becomes slow. So what’s the catch? When your breath is aligned with your mind, you are in control of your environment. So whenever you find yourself in a difficult place, take deep long breaths. Trust me, it will work, every time! Even now. Close your eyes and take 3 deep breaths. Continue reading.
3. Affirmations
Have you ever noticed that some people radiate good vibes and some radiate negative ones? This is because what you tell yourself is what you become. And what you become is what you give, what you give is what you receive. So it all comes down to, what you tell yourself. Positive self-talk is the key.
4. Gratitude
In simple words, be grateful. Be grateful for waking up every day, being able to move your body, being able to look and feel, and being grateful for being alive. When you’re grateful, you are radiating a positive aura. And as I mentioned before, what we give is what we receive.
Easier said than done, true. The basic and the most simple things in life are the most difficult to achieve. But always keep in mind that you’re not alone. Everyone’s been there. Everyone’s going through it. So just take baby steps, one day at a time. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
Small tip: Next time you brush your teeth, do it with your non-dominant hand. In other words, you are building your muscle memory for something you haven’t done before. This enhances your creativity.