With the prevalence of wellbeing wisdom available today, most of us have a clear idea of what full wellness means. We are coming to accept a definition of health that includes the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Never before has the need to offset the stress and pressure of external life been more serious. The achievement of proper mental health means a calm and unperturbed mind, and must be approached in the manner of the ancients, who – let’s face it – wrote the very book on the topic!
Cleanliness is an important prerequisite for any spiritual or concentration practice. So, what does this mean for the internal functioning of the mind? Well, we must first be sure to let go of the issues that regularly taint our thought processes, in order not to keep ourselves down by the endless repetition of a negative thinking cycle. As Shakespeare most wisely observed, ‘there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so’. A low sense of self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, paranoia and irritation in personal relationships and a difficulty in concentrating are all issues that present major obstacles in forming a sense of mental wellbeing. Too many people are quick to treat such recurring issues with anti-depressants or tranquilisers, but these solutions are palliatives that avoid the root of the problem.
So how do you go about cleaning your mind? It depends a lot on the extent of the problems you are experiencing. Issues more deeply implanted in the psyche may require a professional course of psychotherapy to be properly uprooted. However, in many cases, you can balance out your mind by first taking an approach to moral wellness. Take a look at the problems weighing you down and see which can be solved by your own action – perhaps you can make an action of compassion or forgiveness that will help to settle your accounts with the world. Or indeed, maybe an apology somewhere is required. One thing is sure – an approach to mental health based on morality cannot fail to benefit you.
After working to resolve your issues, it is highly advisable to begin a meditation or mindfulness practice. Meditation is detox for the mind and when practiced regularly can lead to a much calmer and wiser approach to life. The daily incorporation of mindfulness will enable you to choose your actions wisely and avoid the pitfalls of reaction – indeed, impulsive reactions are the source of so much of our grief in life. Take a careful and cleansing approach to developing mental wellness and you cannot fail to experience an ever-increasing quality of life.
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