A lesson in How to: 'Follow Your Bliss'...
A long time ago, I learned of the great Joseph Campbell and his studies and his simple yet profound message of 'Follow Your Bliss'....
Yet, most of us would not know 'Bliss' if it came up and bit us in the face.
Today, as part of the series of 'talks' given that I have 'access' to here at work was a psychologist who was discussing 'How to be Less Stressed' in your life - how to be happier in essence.
I missed part of the talk but was able to listen to a good portion. One of the aspects discussed was the way our society is geared towards things that cause general unhappiness/discontent. Such as:
* Having big egos
* Constantly being dissatisfied (always wanting more)
* Blaming others for your problems
* Resisting you own life
* Postponing Joy
The speaker discussed how to 'unlearn' worry (very big deal for me because I am a constant 'worrier'). He said you could allow yourself time each morning for worry (like you were a 'crack' addict) and then you had to let it go for the rest of the day.
He said another problem is our constant need for reassurance (guilty as charged) - that that too becomes addicting.
He mentioned that people with the 'Y' chromosome (not judging here gentlemen), have no idea (or a lot of 'difficulty') with how to 'actively listen' to their partners/family etc - and that their response is often tied to 'fixing things' vs. simply being compassionate and 'actively' listening (cause we ALL know sometimes there is NO fixing things...and sometimes guys, all your wife wants to hear (or receive as a 'gift') is that your HEARD her in the first place).
He talked about reconnecting to the 'HERE & NOW'
He discussed dealing with your reactions to things like anger. One 'exercise' was to imagine yourself reacting as badly as possibly and truly FEEL/SEE how that 'looks/feels' then re-play the same scenario with a different sort of outcome.
He discussed praise and forgiveness vs. criticism and blame as a way to 'operate' as human beings.
Here his 'formulae' for unhappiness:
* Complain as much as you possibly can
* Want more - more than you ever deserve - just keep wanting and wanting
* Be dissatisfied
* Stop Giving
* Resist Life
* Defend yourself and blame everyone else
* Postpone Happiness/Joy/Bliss
It all seems silly and ridiculous doesn't it???
Now - here's the 'recipe' for 'Contentment'
* Appreciate and Admire
* Want what you ALREADY have (think the Sheryl Crow song)
* Give
* Laugh, Love and Have Fun
* Accept things
* Be responsible
* Participate in active listening
As a Yoga teacher, I am always trying to give my students more than just merely the physical aspect/exercises involved in Yoga - there are other 'teachings'/practices. One such practice is known as 'Santosha' which translates to 'Contentment'. That's a big problem with a lot of us - we are not 'content' - if you take a look at both 'laundry' lists above - perhaps you can find where your own 'issues' lie and then try to use the 'recipe' to help yourself to 'harvest' your 'Bliss' and follow 'that path' where it leads....
Yet, most of us would not know 'Bliss' if it came up and bit us in the face.
Today, as part of the series of 'talks' given that I have 'access' to here at work was a psychologist who was discussing 'How to be Less Stressed' in your life - how to be happier in essence.
I missed part of the talk but was able to listen to a good portion. One of the aspects discussed was the way our society is geared towards things that cause general unhappiness/discontent. Such as:
* Having big egos
* Constantly being dissatisfied (always wanting more)
* Blaming others for your problems
* Resisting you own life
* Postponing Joy
The speaker discussed how to 'unlearn' worry (very big deal for me because I am a constant 'worrier'). He said you could allow yourself time each morning for worry (like you were a 'crack' addict) and then you had to let it go for the rest of the day.
He said another problem is our constant need for reassurance (guilty as charged) - that that too becomes addicting.
He mentioned that people with the 'Y' chromosome (not judging here gentlemen), have no idea (or a lot of 'difficulty') with how to 'actively listen' to their partners/family etc - and that their response is often tied to 'fixing things' vs. simply being compassionate and 'actively' listening (cause we ALL know sometimes there is NO fixing things...and sometimes guys, all your wife wants to hear (or receive as a 'gift') is that your HEARD her in the first place).
He talked about reconnecting to the 'HERE & NOW'
He discussed dealing with your reactions to things like anger. One 'exercise' was to imagine yourself reacting as badly as possibly and truly FEEL/SEE how that 'looks/feels' then re-play the same scenario with a different sort of outcome.
He discussed praise and forgiveness vs. criticism and blame as a way to 'operate' as human beings.
Here his 'formulae' for unhappiness:
* Complain as much as you possibly can
* Want more - more than you ever deserve - just keep wanting and wanting
* Be dissatisfied
* Stop Giving
* Resist Life
* Defend yourself and blame everyone else
* Postpone Happiness/Joy/Bliss
It all seems silly and ridiculous doesn't it???
Now - here's the 'recipe' for 'Contentment'
* Appreciate and Admire
* Want what you ALREADY have (think the Sheryl Crow song)
* Give
* Laugh, Love and Have Fun
* Accept things
* Be responsible
* Participate in active listening
As a Yoga teacher, I am always trying to give my students more than just merely the physical aspect/exercises involved in Yoga - there are other 'teachings'/practices. One such practice is known as 'Santosha' which translates to 'Contentment'. That's a big problem with a lot of us - we are not 'content' - if you take a look at both 'laundry' lists above - perhaps you can find where your own 'issues' lie and then try to use the 'recipe' to help yourself to 'harvest' your 'Bliss' and follow 'that path' where it leads....
posted by Colette at 2:14 PM
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