5 Easy Steps to Finding the Peace Within

I love Monk!  The TV show.  It’s a series about a neurotic germaphobe who happens to be an amazing detective who can’t seem to solve the case of his own wife’s murder.   Funny thing is….the clue he needs to solve the case is sitting on his fireplace mantel.  And, it’s been there for at least five years.  In the season finale, he realizes he’s had the answer all along - but didn’t know it.

That’s not unlike our own lives, isn’t it?  The peace we seek outside ourselves is really within.  But, why on earth don’t we see it, experience it, know it to be true for our own selves?

I suppose most of us figure it out, right before we forget again.  Knowing that the peace, in any circumstance, is just one step closer to the God spirit within.  But, instead of listening intently, we get distracted.  The more distracted of us - remembering and forgetting over and over again, sometimes in the same hour.

I see the (real) monks at the ashram I visit every year hold the truth and glide through life so effortlessly.  But, they’re in the mountains, living together, practicing yoga every morning, having a vegan diet, in the peace and quiet of a sacred place.

While most of us lead very busy city lives.  Being stimulated every six seconds by the seeming  importance of something.  So, we often get distracted from the truth.

So, how do you go within and find your peace in the midst of the agonizing stress of life?

1.  Let It Go.

Take your focus off whatever is bringing you stress and focus on what brings you joy.

My favorite song… “I release and I let go, I let the spirit run my life, I am free in the spirit and I’m only here for God.”

Remembering (or trying to remember) the purpose for which you were born - releases the non-sense.

2.  Purge.

Remove everything  from your life that you do not need or that does not serve you.  Everything - shoes, purses, people, files, phones.   No attachment - no stress.

3.  Seek  Silence.

Try operating in silence in the morning - no radio, no television, no anything.  Listen to your own thoughts. Since thoughts create reality - monitor them to see what you’re creating.  Give yourself a chance to make a conscious choice.  And, if you’re really seeking bliss - find at least 10 minutes each day - sitting in silent meditation -  no thoughts, just focus on your breathing.  Center yourself.

4.  Pray for Them.

I had a co-worker once who created havoc wherever she went - and she landed on my team.  My mother said, “Pray for her”.

“Why should I pray for her?”, I said with frustration.

“It’s not what it will do for her, it’s what it will do for you.  It will release you from the experience”, she replied.

I did, and it did.  Days later she was reassigned.  I rarely saw her after that.

5.  Don’t Forget The Fun.

So, when you’re old and gray and lying in bed reminiscing about your life, will you even remember what you’re worrying about today?  If not, got back to #1 - Let It Go.