According
to Buddha, we all
have a "monkey mind" which is forever riddled with anxiety and worry.
The human mind has a tendency to shuffle between the past and the future,
except the present, which is the time that is real, and that is why
it is called “present”—a a gift in itself. Most of us not only
plan for the future, but also worry about its outcome. Accordingly, we often go
back to the past to look for clues to help us fulfill our hopes and
expectations in the future, as well as to avoid errors and mistakes made in the
past. In the process, we not only create undue stress for ourselves but also
deprive ourselves the opportunity to live in the present mind. A mind that
stays in the present moment is calm and relaxed. Living in the present is
moment-to-moment mindfulness of breathing. Mindfulness of breaths increases
mind power.
Unfortunately,
most of us don’t live in the present moment, especially in this age of speed
and technology. With so many daily chores and life goals to accomplish, we find
little time for ourselves, let alone time to remain in the present moment. Even
if we are fortunate enough to have some time for ourselves, we may spend it to
go online or to watch our favorite TV programs. Living in the present moment is
a gift that is often ignored and rarely appreciated.
But
things don’t have like that. We can always find time to do little things that
enable us to let our minds stay in the present moment. Learn to focus your
breaths on the present moment, which is no more than awareness or mindfulness
of your breaths. Focusing your breaths on the present moment makes you become
more aware of what is happening around you at that present moment, thereby
instrumental in releasing stress from your body and mind, as well as enhancing
your clarity of mind.
Practice
diaphragm breathing to help your mind stay in the present moment. Diaphragm
breathing is using your diaphragm muscle -- muscles between your lower lungs
and your abdomen -- to fill your lungs with life-giving oxygen, and to
push toxic carbon dioxide from your lungs to achieve the complete breath.
Diaphragm breathing is achieved through your nose, and not your mouth. Practice
diaphragm breathing by placing one hand over your chest, and the other over
your diaphragm muscles: you should feel the hand over your chest not moving,
while that over the abdomen moving up and down as you inhale and exhale.
Diaphragm breathing gives you complete breaths. For thousands of years, Chinese
physicians have believed that an individual is given only a certain number of
breaths during his or her lifespan. If the breaths are shorter, that individual
then has a shorter lifespan. Therefore, the key to longevity and anti-aging is
to prolong the breaths. Breathing right makes you live longer and look younger.
When
you focus your mind on your breaths, you breathe better. Remember, your breaths
are vital to your health, especially your brain health because your complete
breaths bring more oxygen to your brain cells. Mindfulness of breaths plays a
pivotal part in meditation, which is critically important to your mind
power..
Read
my book publication: As If Everything Is A Miracle. Learn to rethink your
mind through your breaths to live your life as if everything is a miracle.
Also, learn Chinese exercises, such as Qi Gong and Tai Chi to
enhance your breaths to increase your mind power.
Stephen
Lau
Copyright©
by Stephen Lau
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