Wellbeing & Mindfulness

Wellbeing & Mindfulness

Seek/share/discuss advice for feeling better c:

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  • Created Thu Apr 11, 2019 2:08 am

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  • aether Creator
    aether · Apr 11, 2019
    So to kick things off I may as well share another Russel Brand video (no I do not only get my advice from him). This one's a bit of a dive off the deep end into some heavy and harder-hitting stuff... and it's a little embarrassing to share for that reason. In this video he talks about needing a spiritual or religious solution to feelings of shame, which leaves not-so-spiritual-people in a bit of a limbo, but the thing about beliefs is that they are malleable...

    Here's how I go about it (as someone who doesn't follow a religion or spirituality):
    Spoiler
    We do not see our reality as objective (exactly as it is) because all the information we get from outside of us is warped by the subjective/bias lens in which we see it. How we think and what we believe dictates our experience and quality of life. Here are two Buddha quotes:

    "The mind is everything. What you think you become."

    "Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without."

    There's a lot about religions and spiritualities that I absolutely love because of how they shape beliefs into something positive and well-intentioned for people. And that is 100% valid. The only truth we are aware of is the one we form in our own mind – it's inescapable. Luckily, that personal truth is made of thoughts and beliefs we have control over, that we can shape to benefit instead of sabotage ourselves.

    Practically speaking, you will likely have a better, easier experience of life if you believe that the universe is innately good and as it is meant to be than to believe it is apathetic and cruel. Your personal beliefs are the only truth out there, for all that matters (from a non-religious standpoint), so you may as well use them to view yourself and life more kindly. As Brand says in the video, if you believe that you are beautiful and as life intended – that life has made you as such – then you can forgive yourself, and be forgiven. If it is true for you, then it is true. Nothing can reach inside your mind and change that – only you can change the filter in which you see life.

    I'm aware that how I see this is not how others will see it, which is precisely my point: shape beliefs about yourself and existence that benefit you, whatever they are. But don't shape them stubbornly; be open to all that is out there all the time and thoughtfully gather what is true for you, and leave behind what is not. Do not be afraid to shift that truth in time if needed. If your truth is in God, or in a spiritual or religious path, go with that. If your truth is elsewhere, go with that. I guess the point I'm making is consciously monitor your beliefs and thoughts; do not let them control you in unnecessarily painful ways.


    Yikes that got very long. Anyways, here's the video:

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    Arcticus replied · Apr 11, 2019

    Spoiler
    I didn't know Russell made videos about stuff like this, I had only seen a few of his stand-ups and thought he was only a comedian, lol, but apparently I was wrong.

    But yep, you have no idea how much I agree with the importance of mindfulness in life, self-awareness, that is. And I agree that different people have different ways of making sense of that term, some look to a spiritual path or religion, while others don't. Personally, I would classify myself among the former. I try to meditate daily by praying five times a day (each session lasts about 5 to 10 minutes), although I'm not always able to stick to that, but I try my very best.

    I can tell from experience that that it allows me to step back and detach myself from the world for a while, and since the timing of these prayers is tied to some of the cardinal points of the day (dawn, noon, mid-day, dusk and night) I feel like I'm able to anchor myself more into the day so perfectly that it almost clicks.

    Btw, there's this video that I watched very recently about mindfulness in Islam, and it pretty much sums up my own personal approach to mindfulness on a daily basis. I don't know if any of you'll find it interesting but anyways.


    aether replied · Apr 11, 2019

    Spoiler
    Yeah, his life took a bit of a 180 from fame/drugs to mindfulness. He also has a podcast called Under The Skin which discusses all sorts of interesting stuff, not just wellbeing (also philosophy, psychology, sociology etc.)

    Thanks for replying. ^^ What disappoints me a little is that those who don't follow a religion or spirituality go without the ritual and structural aspects of mindfulness. There's something to be said for regularly setting conscious time and space for reflection. I try to do so but it isn't as strongly set as going to Church every Sunday or praying five times a day (which is awesome btw). I'm always open and eager to learn more about religious practices and how spiritual people live their lives. Overall I'm happy with my perspective of life, but I still need to work on finding my own mindfulness rituals in a society that doesn't naturally accommodate them outside of organised religions.

    (Veering off from that, in some ways I would say I am actually spiritual in the sense that I have great faith in existence/the universe/life. My personal 'religion' is a weaving of nature, philosophy, creativity, science, and anything else that resonates with me. It depends what you define as spiritual idk)

    I watched the video you linked and I completely agree with it. c: Separating yourself from impulsive reactions and unconscious habits etc. by being mindful is a real life-changer for sure. Lately I've been missing sitting in nature and just being present with it, because university demands a lot more of my time. But then I realise that living without time for mindfulness isn't really living for me, it's just existing, and I don't want my life to be swallowed up by a rush of anxious activity.


    Arcticus replied · Apr 11, 2019

    Spoiler
    In any case, I feel like taking some time out, and taking a step back from worldly affairs, detaching yourself, for a while, from the daily ups and downs of life is so important, and that's why I feel that mindfulness and self-awareness are key to being clear headed and cultivating humility, empathy for oneself and for others. Especially in this day and age when our minds undergo overkill 24x7. Ya feels?


    aether replied · Apr 11, 2019

    I totally feelz


    Arcticus replied · Apr 11, 2019

    You should've enspoilered dat, you broke the custom, Coffee!


    aether replied · Apr 11, 2019

    d:



I'll make sure nobody unauthorized runs off with the chamber pot, sir.
— Kaladin (Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson)