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In sickness and health |mind training dealing with pain
Sickness and health is one of our main concern, it is present intermittently alongside day to day worries.
Being healthy is regarded as condition for happiness, surely securing our livelihood is dependent on it.
Unfortunately when things go awry, we fail to adopt the right approach and easily become the victim of worry.
We do not want to suffer, that’s a fact we all agree on, but when it comes to our dealing with it we fall short.
We tend to fixate on our health issues, especially when our bodies show signs of weakness, but does it help?
Our propensity to dramatize and come to early conclusions only exacerbates our nervous system which kicks into high gear.
Fears tend to mix and intensify, the more the idea of sickness persist the more sensitive we become.
Our attention being drawn to bodily discomfort brings about a chain reaction that makes matters worse…
Our mind | problem maker or problem solver
“When you realize that your experience of the disease is inextricably bound up with your mind, you can make an effort to understand the nature of mind.” Traleg Kyabgon
Self-preservation is a primary function that is meant to ensure our survival, but it doesn’t always serve us.
We rely on our bodies the same as we rely on our minds to run smoothly, we forget they need attention.
Most of us rarely stop to ask whether or not all is well, because we are too busy running the daily rat race.
Fortunately our mind is wired to make sure we tend to signs of distress whether emotional or physical.
But who’s paying attention…
It often takes a wake-up call to jolt us out of our marathon mode but when it does, it can feel like a bombshell.
Feeling unwell is bad enough, but when fear takes over logic, every ache and pain can turn disproportionate.
It doesn’t take much, if your consider yourself somewhat of a hypochondriac, you know how sensitive you are.
Understanding how your mind works can help stop fear turn into panic, which in itself causes more suffering.
The Suffering of Suffering
“Every day we touch what is wrong, and, as a result, we are becoming less and less healthy.” Thich Nhat Hanh, Arnold Kotler, Mayumi Oda
Our meeting with difficult circumstances, frustrations and never ending crises makes our keeping healthy tricky.
The environment in which we live and the changing condition of our lives play a role in our overall well-being.
Being in the habit of ignoring or denying what weighs on us might work, but in the long run that hurts us.
Leaving emotional distress to fester can later manifest in actual illness or induce preexisting medical conditions.
Let’s get real…
We may be fooled into thinking we will live forever, that somehow we will avert the suffering of old age.
In reality there are no guarantees, too many unknown are left in the future which in itself is an option.
No one can shield himself from disease, nor can one foresee when and where it will hit, what can we do?
We can at least make sure that we are not jeopardizing our health by adopting good physical and mental habits.
Supporting our bodies with the right mental outlook can take us a long way when it comes to self-care.
Sickness and health ~ holding the right attitude
“It is about the attitude to your health, and how you relate to your mental and physical wellbeing.” Traleg Kyabgon, Salvatore Celiento
When it comes to our relationship with sickness and health, just like with everything else, it starts with awareness.
If we want to ensure we are living well, that our lifestyle benefits our wellness, we need stop and check regularly.
None of us are trapped, making adjustments that come to better our lives should be our primary concern.
But before taking on Zen living, one should consider starting at home where habits take root, our mind.
Where illness takes its source…
Our mindset not only drives our actions, it influences the sensations that come up and triggers our body.
Therefore, being mindful of the chief role our mind plays on our overall well-being demands that we mind the content.
Only by practicing mindfulness meditation can we truly meet with the concepts and ideas that make up our mental environment.
Our anchoring in the present allows us to take stock without burdening ourselves emotionally, thus we work from the inside out.
Using the right coping mechanism
“One cannot offer the right medicine without knowing the patient’s illness.” Thich Nhat Hanh
The more practiced we are, the more attentive we become and the more comfortable we get at exploring what’s there.
Our facing and acknowledging that unhealthy mental habits have taken residence is the first step toward environmental change.
We take responsibility for it all, whether it’s something we’re comfortable with or not, secret thoughts included.
Raising our awareness is key, without it we are left at the mercy of notions that can behave like poison.
Change your thinking change the world
Being mature enough to accept our own fallibility, calling it by its name “being human”, sets us on the right path.
Choosing to let go of childish ideas of invincibility, we remind ourselves of our own preciousness, we take care of ourselves.
Instead of revolting we relate, when our health wavers we listen, we use meditation to see through it.
We do not magnify nor obsess, we embrace with care knowing that our perception makes all the difference in the world.
Stay away from sickness abide in healthॐ
Nathalie Bizawi, founder of Wisdom & Mindfulness meditation center. Senior Meditation, Mindfulness and philosophy instructor, From Wingate Academic College. M.A in Education from TAU University, Tel Aviv.
Wisdom & Mindfulness your meditation center in Tel Aviv