How to cure Desire, doubt, restlessness, anger, fear

This is a note to myself for when I feel any of the above for an uncomfortable amount of time. In order to stop the above from spiraling out of control I must practice mindfulness immediately and then meditate and yoga when I get a chance.

1. Recognize that you are suffering from the above and try to identify the problem.

2. If there is a problem and it cannot be immediately solved, recognize that it cannot be immediately solved and the nagging in your brain isn’t going to help.

3. Begin by taking in breathes and letting out breathes and thinking of nothing else. Start with at least ten.

4 Focus intensely on what you are doing right now. Driving, reading, walking. The restlessness will bludgeon your mind unless you learn to focus on the here and now. Focus on what is happening right now in front of you. Sit still and take in what is around you and push out the restlessness in the mind.

5. If you can, read excerpts on Buddhism on how to end suffering, practicing mindfulness and positive thinking or read your Journey! These always bring your thoughts back to the present and help you relax and regain focus.

6. Take the time re-awaken, feel your golden heart and feel the breath escape your diaphragm.

7. Try to remember to meditate regularly. Nothing is permanent so you have to keep returning to center.


Reference: The Eightfold Path for Householders http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/ritepath.pdf
         “It’s really not all that complicated. Sometimes it’s difficult to do, but it’s not all that complicated. Someone once asked Aldous Huxley as he was dying if he could say what he had learned in all of his experience with many spiritual teachers and gurus and much of his own spiritual life, and he said, “It’s embarrassing to tell you this, but it seems to come down mostly to learning to be kinder.” To be kind, though, means that you have to be here, you have to be present for what’s actually in your experience.