SYMPTOMS OF INNER PEACE

by

Saskia Davis, ©1984

Be on the lookout for symptoms of inner peace. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to inner peace and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world. 

Some signs and symptoms of inner peace: 

• A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences. 
• An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment. 
• A loss of interest in judging other people. 
• A loss of interest in judging self. 
• A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others. 
• A loss of interest in conflict. 
• A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.) 
• Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation. 
• Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature. 
• Frequent attacks of smiling. 
• An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than (try to) make them happen. 
• An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

WARNING:
If you have some or all of the above symptoms, please be advised that your condition of inner peace may be so far advanced as to not be curable. If you are exposed to anyone exhibiting any of these symptoms, remain exposed only at your own risk.

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Wouldn’t it be amazing if the reports we heard on the news each day were filled with examples of radiant happiness and chronic bliss instead of the “war” on this thing or the something or other “crisis”? Well, I believe it truly is possible and happily I am not alone.

So how would someone get into the state of displaying one or all of these “dangerous” peaceful symptoms and eventually becoming significantly more mindful and stress-free?

To cut a very long story short it was probably over 20 years ago that some one gave me a copy of the “Symptoms of Inner Peace” by Saskia Davis. It was definitely something I really aspired to, but to be honest I was way off being anywhere close! I’m not even sure if i could truthfully say that I live by those precepts 24/7 today, but I do feel a lot less perturbed than I was back then.

So what is the difference that has made so much difference in my life? The difference has been introducing the practice of daily… if at all possible … meditation, silence and introspection into my life; if you adopt a daily habit of witnessing and distancing yourself from your thoughts and dramas, then eventually you too can enjoy the state of meditation rather than it being something you do each day.

Wherever I go these days I meet people who have techniques for this and methods for that; they all say “if you only did this for 15 minutes a day you’d feel the benefits” and I wonder how much time would be left in the day to do anything at all if I strung all those 15 minutes together. But if I were to recommend one effortless thing that would make a noticeable difference in your life, because it has made such a difference in mine,
I would have to recommend meditation.

I am sure that 15 minutes of meditation a day can truly keep the doctor away, not to mention keeping you sane in these potentially disconcerting times we are currently experiencing worldwide.

The use of Meditation for healing is not new. Meditative techniques are the product of diverse cultures and peoples around the world. They have been rooted in the traditions of the world's great religions. In fact, practically all religious groups practice meditation in one form or another. The value of meditation to alleviate suffering and promote healing has been known and practiced for thousands of years.

The Ancients have known for years that we are made up of many different layers or bodies, (commonly accepted to be 7). No need to go into what they are here, but we have pretty much come to recognize today that we are more than just our physical body, possessing a mental, emotional and a spiritual one besides.

Numerous scientific studies show that the regular practice of meditation can be a powerful healing tool not just for the physical body but for them all. When I was studying the esoteric sciences we were taught that dis-ease begins in the etheric body long before it passes to the mental and emotional bodies, so I also like to consider that meditation acts as a preventative measure as well as a healing one. People I know who meditate regularly certainly seem to be pretty healthy, preferring to “clean themselves out” mentally and emotionally through meditation, as well as obviously making sure they get enough sleep, eat well and take sufficient exercise.

More and more doctors are prescribing meditation as a way to lower blood pressure, improve exercise performance in people with angina, help people with asthma breathe easier, relieve insomnia and generally relax the everyday stresses of life. Meditation is a safe and simple way to balance a person's physical, emotional, and mental states. It is simple but can benefit everybody.

Can Meditation lead to increased Health,

Well being and Inner Peace… really?

So what is meditation?

To understand what true meditation is, why not visualize a lake. When the surface of the lake is still and the water is clear you might see to the bottom without any trouble. But if you were to throw a pebble into the water, the ripples would disturb the smooth surface and you’d no longer be able to see the bottom. The same is true for meditation and the mind. Like the tranquil lake water, when it is still you may experience deep symptoms of inner peace, well being and bliss…. all leading to increased health and happiness. When the mind is troubled and busy for prolonged periods, the opposite is true and dis-ease is the result.

Meditation involves a subtle act of "letting go" - but it is not something that you can learn through “doing”.

Generally it involves sitting in a relaxed position and slowing down the chattering of your mind. You could softly hum, you could focus on a sound or a candle flame or on your breath, you could listen to music or contemplate a great piece of art or Nature…. or you could try not to focus on anything at all, although this can be challenging for the beginner! My experience of meditation has included many techniques, some of which are more cathartic in nature. These different meditations are structured to last exactly an hour and are broken up into chunks of say, 10, 15 or 20 minutes during which time one might dance or shake or laugh or even scream, so that at the end of the allotted period the mind is more peaceful and you are able to sit quietly.

Don’t be upset if your mind starts to wander. I think this is the most common misconception about meditation…. You cannot use the mind to suppress the mind. If you do, it will definitely send you crazy. So many people have come to me over the years and think there is something wrong because their mind still chatters on. This is not at all unusual. Don’t try to force your mind to be still, as this will set additional brain waves in motion, getting in the way of your meditation.

Simply allow it to wander, just being with “what is” in the moment and not trying to repress it at all. If you fight with the mind you will find you have a war on your hands! Just allowing the thoughts to be there like clouds across a summer sky and observing them like a witness, they will soon become less and less frequent with moments of silence and peace in the spaces in between. And you will experience true states of meditation. Eventually when you have mastered this, meditation becomes your state of Being, rather than something you have to “do”.

An hour would be ideal for a daily meditation practice but if all you can manage is even 5 minutes a day, then this is far better than doing nothing at all. The benefits of inner silence stack up!

It’s handy to set aside a place where you won’t be disturbed, but more seasoned meditators can do it anywhere. I love to meditate while watering my garden or be in a state of meditation while watchfully preparing a family meal. A great massage usually requires that the therapist is in a state of meditation too, becoming silent within so you feel the transference of energy through their hands. Years ago, meditation was a dirty word and many people were afraid that you had to be part of a cult or some religion to practice it. Now happily it just seems to be an accepted fact that meditation feels good so it probably does you good too and there is certainly no longer any embarrassment associated with its practice.

Meditation, if done on a regular basis, can do wonders for you. Here are just a few of the fringe benefits that have been well documented and researched 

• It lowers oxygen consumption because breathing slows down 
• It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate reducing high blood pressure 
• Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients 
• Leads to a deeper level of relaxation 
• The ability to sleep increases and the time people need to fall asleep decreases 
• Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate 
• Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches so is therefore great as a natural pain killer 
• Builds self-confidence because it increases serotonin production which in turn influences mood and behavior. (Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches) 
• Helps in chronic diseases like allergies arthritis etc. 
• Reduces Pre- menstrual Syndrome 
• Helps in post-operative healing 
• Enhances the immune system. Research has revealed that meditation increases activity of 'natural-killer cells', which kill bacteria and cancer cells 
• Stomach and bowel function improve. Deep breathing and meditation can help relax your abdominal muscles, which may lead to more normal bowel activity 
• Also reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress. 
• Increases concentration, self-esteem, spontaneity, creativity, and depth of awareness 
• Studies also show that meditators have warmer interpersonal relationships, less anxiety, increased self-esteem and self-confidence, increased problem-solving ability and greater creativity

Pretty good hey?


In short, it appears that meditators spontaneously radiate a purifying and nourishing influence of positivity and harmony. By meditating deeply for even five minutes when you get up, you can set the tone for your whole day, taking control of your thoughts and ultimately your life especially if you set an intention before you start.

To sum up then, meditation affects the body’s vibrations in a positive manner. This in turn, affects the vibrations around us, which, in turn, affect the situations around us and this helps to relieve our suffering and lead a harmonious life.

Which brings me back to the Symptoms of Inner Peace. Have I sold you on the idea of meditation? Only 15 minutes a day!
 
If you’d like to know more about meditation, love, life and laughter and all points in between please go to www.sandhaninc.com

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