17. Peace of Mind is an Illusion it cannot be achieved from anything Outside me.

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/peace-of-mind-is-an-illusion-it-cannot-be-achieved-from-anything-outside-me

The conception that the external conditions have to be in accordance with our perception and only then we will attain Peace of mind is a sheer illusion. This illusions manifest as an unconscious thought impression persisting in mental realm that always put pressure on our thought process. This pressure induces stress and we assume that it will subside and think “once my son/daughter gets admission to that particular college then I’ll have peace of mind” or “by next week end I will be finishing my project, once I do so I will have peace of mind”. The illusions like this sort will only add more to our stress.

Now let us understand what stress is? Stress is a gap between the Sankalpa and Sadhana in the management terms it is the gap between the idea and implementation. Wider the gap more is the stress. 

Now what has this got to do with our peace of mind?  

Peace of mind is the skill to remain mentally and emotionally composed irrespective of the external conditions, people and situations.  

We have heard people say that they are planning for a holiday to get some peace of mind. But amazingly it is with the same mind we undertake the vacation so getting the stress relived will never happen again it is an illusion. Peace of mind is not to be achieved it is already in us it only requires our awareness. If we carefully observe the sentence “peace of mind”, the solution of the problem lies in the sentence itself. To achieve peace we have check our mind. For all the stressful turmoil, restlessness, annoyance and all other unwanted attitudes it is our own mind that is the cause, it is believed to have direct influence on our finance, job, and relationship.  

For example if we are to think that we are not that financially secure as we would want to be, thinking that by working for some more hours or day till we achieve it would seem like a reasonable bargain for our peace of mind. We get the money, and then we think we are at peace. But for sure this approach is not as bright as our thoughts make us believe.

Uniqueness is one of the obstacles for peace of mind. We humans always think to be unique. When we look at the articles we posses we would love to get the brand new ones so that other have not got it and likewise the same holds good in collecting antique objects also. Our mind always aims at reaching the unique status and in the process of achieving that we lose our peace of mind.   

New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the famous duo who climbed Mount Everest first in 1953. But few people know about the discussion they had when they were half way up the mountain. 

It goes like this:

“You see Tenzing; we are going to tame the dragon of Everest. We have been climbing its back, and soon we will be higher than its head.” said Hillary joyfully.

“Yes, I see Hillary, but I am not as enthusiastic as you are.”

“But look at the fantastic view. We are at a crossroads: down there is the valley, our resting place, the ultimate depression. And up there is the roof of the world, the highest point on earth, with its eternal snow. What more could you want?” said Hillary.

“I don’t want anything. I know people who are depressed, and who have sworn to me that they reached the very bottom of their being which is not a good place to be, believe me. I have also spoken to people who reached the summit of their existence, and who sacrificed everything to get there. They did not seem to be happier either. When you are at the top, you are alone, it’s cold, and nothing grows there. Personally, I prefer staying with my friends and family, at a level where I am comfortable. You are not at peace, Hillary, because you look up or down too much. You don’t know how to stay still.” advised Tenzing.

With such thoughts Tenzing did reach the top of Everest, he did what he was to do but did not pin his hope of peace on the deed.

THAT IS PEACE OF MIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What Say?????????