It will feel "different" when one begins to incorporate greater awareness of how one feeling and actions. It's actually supposed to. The slightly uncomfortable feeling that one experiences becomes more familiar and less foreign as one consistently engages in growth. One becomes more aware of his or her's true thoughts and feelings without "inner censorship", and is more sensitive to how one's actions impact their community and therefore the world, as well.
Changing Paradigms Of Thinking
Examine when the feeling of resistance that arises when one is faced with an activity in which they'd rather not partake. Is it annoying due to poor planning? If so, try to plan more accordingly so each errand or task is given the full attention needed to be done well and with a degree of satisfaction. There is absolutely no reason in the world to hurry about anything.
When pressed by people to engage in activities that are uninteresting, questionable or just "don't feel right" to attend, feel free to say "no." Read a good book, take a walk or try meditating instead. Evaluate the feelings of being content with being alone instead of seeking social stimuli for the sake of relieving boredom.
Become More Aware Of Consumption And Waste
It may sound like a cliche by now, however, continue to re-use, renew and recycle. People are still buying tons of bottled water, and thousands of those bottles still go into a landfill. Commit to one day of using non-disposable products. Buy some beautiful cloth napkins and never use paper ones again.
There are thin sponges cut like cloths that mop up spills just as well as paper towels. Experiencing discomfort when are trying this out, will make one more aware of how much product is actually wasted when multiplied by the billions.
Find Inner Peace In Silence
Take some time to actually be silent for a period of time. It can start with ten seconds and can go on for ten minutes. Experience how being silent allows one to "step back" from the noise of the world.
In yogic terminology, the life force is called "prana." It is believed by yogis that when speaking a lot, one uses up prana, therefore it is necessary to spend time in quiet meditation to restore prana. Spend a day without the iPod and notice the sounds of the natural world. Feeling anxiety about leaving that iPod home can be an indication that one needs to spend time away from it.
Create Something
Paint with watercolors, doodle, build a birdhouse, or try some simple origami, the art of Japanese paper folding. The experience of producing something creatively is the outward expression of one's innate intelligence. Like anything else experienced regularly, this can produce a stronger sense of self and connection to one's innate skills. Then, experience detachment by giving the created item away and joy by seeing the happiness in the recipient.
Loving Oneself Unconditionally
Examine how much is really needed for happiness and peace of mind. People often try to buy things to replace feelings of not being good enough. Of course, good grooming is essential to living in the civilized world, but is that twentieth pair of name-brand jeans or that sixtieth pair of green, strappy sandals really necessary to feel better?
The idea of these exercises are not to depress the world economy, but to cultivate a different awareness of how to live in the world and examine, truly examine of how to live in it in an edified manner. With new ways of thinking, new ways of the world economy have no choice but to develop.
Sources:
- Swami Veda Bharati, Transformation Of Prana and the Mind.
- Jigyasu Bhakti Ratna, Mouna, Yoga of Silence, Language of Gods, YogaPoint.com.
Cindy Ming - Lao Shir (Venerated Teacher, Mandarin Chinese) Cynthia Ming was born in the Bronx, New York in 1955. She has been studying and teaching ...
