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Zen Steps For Calming Down Easily

It's easy to calm down quickly. No matterwhich we can always return for comfort and
what is happening around us, we never have tostrength.
become trapped in stress or anxiety. It's
important to learn how to calm down quicklyFocus  on  Strengths  not  Weaknesses
this as negative emotions can easily become
addictive. The longer we hold onto them, theAs we focus upon our strengths, not our
harder it can be to let go. Zen offers manyweaknesses, little by little, fear, anger and
pathways to becoming free of negativity. Thisdepression fade. Rather than struggle with
article is based upon Zen principles andproblems, we learn to become available to
value-centered counseling. It offerssolutions. This is accomplished by working
enjoyable and effective steps to calmingwith focus. The question we always keep
down, feeling good about yourself and findingbefore us is: What am I focusing on this
that  peaceful  place  in  the  storm.moment? Am I dwelling on problems or open to
solutions and new ideas? Am I aware of where
Open  The  Treasure  House  WithinI am right at this moment, or lost somewhere
in a dream? Am I grateful for what I have,
In Zen students are told: "Open the treasureor dwelling upon the wrongs I think others
house within." This is a reminder that wehave  done  me?
are all are endowed with many resources
hidden within. In order to access our innateLife continually renews and confronts us with
abilities, we must stop looking everywherenew tasks, challenges, opportunities and
else and forget about depending upon others.solutions, day after day. Are we in touch
Instead, we are told to spend time each daywith this ever-flowing reality? Are we
taking responsibility for what's going onfocusing on the gifts we are always
inside. We turn our attention within,receiving, and ways we can give back to
discover who we truly are and stop rejectingothers as well? By choosing to take charge of
ourselves and others. As we do this, we areour focus we dissolve the primary cause of
beginning  to open the treasure house within.our suffering - a monkey mind that has run
wild.
Pay  Attention
Take  Constructive  Action
We are what we think about. When we stay
fixated on one person, thought or situation,Once we take charge of our focus, we place it
it is easy to become caught in the grip ofupon what we are receiving, what we have to
self centered, obsessive thoughts. The morebe grateful for. Then it is easy to take the
we pay attention to that which is negative ornext step and naturally become aware of what
upsetting, the more strength it has to ruleothers need from us, what we have to offer,
our  lives.  This can be counteracted easily.how we can give back. Then we do it. We take
action. We do not hesitate. We focus upon
Take control of your attention and whatsimple, daily actions, which are constructive
you're focusing upon. Spend time each dayfor  ourselves  and  others.
developing concentration. This is also called
meditation (or zazen). Sit with a straightWe spend some time each day doing "deeds of
back, do not move, follow your naturalservice", finding ways we can give to others,
breath. Let random thoughts come and go. Domake their days easier and happier. As we
not suppress them, but do not let them grabfocus upon giving and encouraging others, a
your attention away. (At first you may bestrange thing happens - our personal anxiety
besieged by many surprising thoughts andvanishes, and we, ourselves, become filled
feelings, but if you simply notice them andwith joy. Before long, we become filled with
then return your attention to your breathing,something even more important than joy - self
these will soon die down). Count your breathrespect.
from one to ten, then all over again. Do this
for at least ten to fifteen minutes withoutA primary source of stress and anxiety is low
moving. By not moving we are stopping what isself esteem; feeling badly about ourselves.
called  the  monkey  mind.The most powerful way to get rid of this is
to have a healthy dose of self respect. When
Stop  The  Monkey  Mindwe fill our lives with constructive actions,
self worth develops naturally. It does not
The monkey mind is the mind that jumps fromcome about through artificially boosting self
one thing to the next, fears, demands,esteem, but as a result of living a life
criticizes and sabotages our lives. It is theworthy of respect. In this manner we grow
part of ourselves, which causes sorrow andable to handle any situation life presents us
fear. By taking charge of our focus, by notwith.
paying attention to or responding to the many
negativities the monkey mind throws our way,When we are able to do that, not only do we
we become balanced and calm. As we do thiscalm down easily, but enjoy all aspects of
regularly, we are no longer carried away byour days. We feel like life is a gift we are
passing feelings and thoughts. Instead, wereceiving; and we become a gift to life as
discover a peaceful place in the storm towell.



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