Ancient Techniques to Quiet Your Mind
Published by Frankie Mooney · 15 October 2020
Ancient Techniques to Quiet Your Mind
by Frankie Mooney | October 15th, 2020
For millennia, people have sought methods to quiet their minds. Long before modern technology introduced new distractions into our lives, humans have pursued inner peace. If you're seeking a method to quiet your mind and achieve inner peace, these five ancient techniques have proven effective even by today's standards.
Use the Power of Self-Hypnosis
1. Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Choose a comfortable position and adopt a passive attitude. Focus on yourself and on achieving relaxation in specific body muscles. Tune out all other thoughts. Begin tensing and relaxing each muscle group as follows: Forehead, eyes, nose, lips, cheek, jaw, hands, forearms, upper arms, shoulders, back, stomach, hips and buttocks, thighs, feet and toes. Focus on any muscles which may still be tense. If any muscle remains tense, tighten and relax that specific muscle three or four times and look to repeat the process.
2. Find your happy place. What automatically comes to mind when you think of ‘happy place?’ Using visualization, imagine in your mind’s eye and see yourself in your happy place. If you find this difficult, ask yourself when was the last time you felt truly happy or truly calm? Observe what comes to mind. This is a place that you can 'go to' in your mind's eye that will make you feel calm and at ease or before you listen to your script.
3. Create scripts. Write down the part that would normally be spoken by your hypnotist and then record it so that you can play it back to yourself. Sit somewhere quiet, relax and simply listen to the recording as though it were a professional hypnotist talking to you. The best hypnotic phrases are designed to subtly 'weave in' statements as presuppositions within the statement. For example saying 'you feel confident' may be met with resistance by your unconscious mind, whereas 'you love the feeling you have of being confident which is happening more and more' is much more gentle and more likely to have an effect.
Get Back to Nature
1. Go for a walk. In some eras, it was common for people to go on long retreats into the wilderness. Even a short break can do wonders to restore your peace of mind. Visit your local state park or take a quiet walk around your neighborhood. If you work indoors all week, use the weekend to explore scenic trails for biking and hiking.
2. Cultivate a garden. Gardening is a great way to slow down and appreciate nature. Devote a section of your backyard to growing flowers and vegetables. If you live in an apartment setting, select plants that will flourish indoors or on a balcony, like some species of palm trees and herbs.
3. Spend time with animals. Spending time with animals is so therapeutic it's even been proven to help people recover from surgery faster. Take your dog for a walk. Watch your cat at play. Sign up for horseback riding lessons.
Use the Soothing Qualities of Water
1. Take a bath. Cultures all over the world have long appreciated the calming effects of water. A simple warm bath can soothe your nerves. Rest your head on a bath pillow and add some comforting scents like sandalwood or lavender. Turn the lights down low and play soft music.
2. Surround yourself with the sound of water. Eat your lunch by a park fountain or install a solar device in your own backyard. You can find recordings of waterfalls online or get a CD with aquatic effects that you can play anywhere you go.
Practice Meditation
3. Practice breathing meditation. Breathing meditation is a simple and effective method for calming your mind. Start by finding a comfortable and quiet place where you can sit and observe your breath. With practice, you'll be able to meditate longer periods or place your mind on your breath in any surroundings.
4. Develop single-pointed concentration. Train your mind to rest upon your object of meditation whether it's a candle or a spoken mantra. Note any distracting thoughts but decline to pursue them. Bring your mind back to your chosen object.
5. Learn to visualize. Select images that promote happiness and serenity. Perhaps you may want to picture snow-capped mountains or sheep grazing in a meadow.
Focus on positive thoughts. If your meditation is part of a spiritual practice, you can follow the prayers taught in your tradition. Alternatively, you can soothe your mind by repeating any thought or quote that is meaningful for you.
Live in the Present Moment
1. Put the past behind you. Dwelling on the past can make it difficult to feel composed. If you're thinking about past misfortunes, decide if you'd rather devote your energy to more constructive activities.
2. Adopt a positive view towards the future. The future always carries some uncertainty. Focus on creating causes for a better future and patiently accepting whatever outcomes arise.
3. Enjoy the present moment. Give your full attention to what is happening now. Take advantage of the opportunities before you and delight in the good things that surround you. Steer your mind towards wholesome thoughts and actions. Engage fully with the people who share your life.
Many ancient techniques work equally well today for achieving a quiet mind regardless of external circumstances. Visit your local library or bookstore to discover more information about the healing powers of hypnosis, meditation and mindfulness. With these methods, you can create a welcoming environment for yourself and others and train your mind to enjoy greater peace.
To your success,
Frankie