All of us have experienced how physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted we feel after a long and frustrating day at work, going through personal health challenges, watching loved ones suffer, after having arguments with friends/family or worrying about one's financial state. When we go through these challenges repeatedly, two things end up happening. Firstly, it drains us of our vital energy reserves. Secondly, it builds layers of stress in our mind which gets hardened as time progresses. As a consequence, feelings of anger, hatred, self-pity, guilt etc. starts to take hold. As the stresses continue to build, somewhere deep down it stifles us, making us feel very uncomfortable. Even though, we want to feel good, happy and joyful but we don't know what to do to feel that anymore. As we are not in a peaceful state of mind, we are unable to think straight and usually end up taking one or more of the following actions.
1. Reach out to unhealthy foods like sugary deserts, harmful snacks to feel the temporary joy.
2. Reach out to stimulants like smoking, alcohol, drugs to forgot etc.
3. Taking out our anger & frustration on others around us or on social media
4. Lastly, if one is a quiet type, than he/she ends up suppressing the feelings causing these feelings to continue to fester even more deep down.
Here is a great analogy. What will happen, if we don't have a practice of brushing our teeth daily (Ideally twice) ? The food remnants will continue to get stuck, resulting in the growth of harmful bacteria and soon the tooth will start decaying. However, if we have a habit/practice of brushing our teeth twice daily, flossing and keeping the harmful things coming into our mouth to the minimum, we will continue to enjoy good dental health for a long time.
According to Buddhist tradition, life is full of suffering (due to various stresses). As these stresses continue to accumulate one becomes more miserable and and unhappiness. THE only way to get rid of stresses and achieve peace in mind is by having a "daily practice" which is designed to eliminate the stress. The only two rules for the practice to be impactful are; one it must be done repeatedly (daily) and second we must do it with complete attention/devotion. That is how a practice becomes deeper and helps us get in touch with that space which is flowing with peace and is devoid of all negativity.
What that practice may look like may differ from person to person. It can take many forms including selfless service, worship/prayers, meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises), yoga, conscious running/walking, and even cooking/cleaning when done with 100% awareness.
I'll leave you with a short yet insightful quote from Mahatma Gandhi on having a daily practice in one's life. Once he told his close associates, "I have so much to accomplish today that I must meditate for two hours instead of one".
When it comes to meditation, a common comment that is often heard is that it's hard to find time for it. The above quote by one of the hardest working people that ever lived clearly lays that argument to rest.
PS: If you would to establish a daily Breathing & Meditation practice, you can learn the SKY Breath Meditation.
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