The Necessity Of Staying In Control

Ever notice how the news of the day can adversely affect you, your mood and even the outcome of your day?  Do you ever get aggravated or literally pissed off at the insanity and nonsense you see on the news shows or read on the internet?  Do you sometimes want to reach out apply physical retribution to those purveyors of chaos?  Do you feel as though there's a concerted effort by "them" to control you, your outlook and your well-being?  If you're a news junkie, or if you simply have a good deal of understanding about current political, environmental and financial events and how they impact you, you're probably nodding "yes" to these questions.  And you're not alone.  The sad fact is that the incessant electronic interference you're experiencing is actually there; a deliberate unseen force that seeks to control your life in how you think and how you act.  So what is it that you do to maintain balance and harmony in your life, and to counteract this intrusion? 

The Zen of Being

No, I'm not going all tin-foil-hat on you, dear readers.  I speak of a very real phenomenon known as cognitive overload.  You're constantly being bombarded with too much information, and most of it is inconsequential on its face, but it affects your psyche in unwanted ways.  I can cite innumerable studies which reference this: Facebook addicts are less happy; cell phone users have developed a hunched posture; video gaming causes poor eyesight; and social media makes users less social.  These can be verified, and are widely acknowledged.  My point, in first accepting the notion that modern life is chaotic, is how to counteract all that unwanted garbage, and how to maintain your sanity when you cannot turn it off.

The answer is you must take control of your mental process. It's not as esoteric or as hard as it sounds, in fact it's quite easy to turn off the mental noise.  For instance, take a quiet walk in the woods, but consider your thought process - know what's going on in your mind.  Listen to the wind in the trees or the singing of birds.  Notice the sky and be aware of the weather patterns.  Walk quietly and seek signs of the life all around you, squirrels darting, deer tracks, or smaller things like lizards, perhaps, or even types of mushrooms.    Do this consciously in place of your normal internal dialogue.  Quiet your mind.  Leave you phone at home or in the car.  Or at least turn it off if you need to take it with you.  Be concerned with each step you take, your posture, and most importantly be aware of your breathing.  Yes, breathing.  Consciously inhale deeply, hold for a moment, then consciously exhale fully.  In yoga, this practice of controlled breathing is called pranayama. 

This process of turning off the noise, and paying attention only to the self, is beneficial in many ways.  These benefits include achieving mental clarity, physical health, and an internal self control and peacefulness.  It can be done anywhere, anytime; there are no props, no rituals, just the will to practice self meditation.  At work, just lean back in your chair, close your eyes, relax, and take just 5 minutes to clear your mind, and focus only on your breathing.  You will notice results almost immediately as you enter into a state of deep relaxation.  As you recognize this alpha state of deep relaxation, you'll want to "go there" more often.  The benefits to body and mind will be obvious to you.  And when you gain the discipline to do this for just 15 minutes, three times a day, you'll be amazed at the new you. And, oh by the way, so will your friends and family.