Role of Acceptance 

Acceptance is a key part of the restful mind. When we are able to accept things that we can’t change, we no longer waste mental energy or anguish and instead focus on the things we do have some control over.

Thoughts Create Our World

By always remembering that it is with our thoughts that we create our world, we realize that we do have choices in life, even in the most difficult times.

The Restful Mind
Gyalwa Dokhampa

Coexistence of Beliefs 

We can better appreciate how beliefs conflict with each other if we understand how they form in the first place. In recognizing that beliefs coexist in pairs the Chinese sages also realized that this is how beliefs initially form.

How Beliefs Co-emerge

Beliefs arise in contradictory pairs. Two opposite beliefs co-emerge and at first the two opposite beliefs coexist. Then in order to establish fixed positions and definite opinions about ourselves and the world, and to give things distinct and permanent characteristics, we push the two beliefs apart and suppress one belief from our awareness.

Disconnecting Opposite Beliefs

Everytime we assert or deny a particular belief, we simultaneously disconnect from the opposite belief. Our belief becomes solid and real for us to the extent that its opposite becomes transparent to us.

Essential Wisdom Teachings: The Way to Inner Peace
Peter & Penny Fenner

Real Freedom

We experience real freedom only when we don’t want to avoid what we actually are experiencing.

Being Present

Whenever we are genuinely present to an experience, without any need to enhance or dilute its quality or texture, we immediately enjoy a unique, expansive, and liberating way of being.

Essential Wisdom Teachings: The Way to Inner Peace
Peter & Penny Fenner

Connecting Mind, Body & Spirit

By simply becoming aware of and changing our breathing pattern, we can regulate our body and mood, and coupled with mindfulness practice, we are empowered to go deeper. With a focus on the breath, we are able to bridge our mind, body and spirit, connecting the conscious and unconscious. Breathing can offer us physical and mental equilibrium as well as inner harmony.

Cycles of Breathing

Most people breathe 17,000 to 24,000 breaths per day, yet few of us are aware of even one of those breathing cycles. Every moment our breath can create balance within us and bring us back to the present. Everything in nature rises, falls and exists. In the same way, inhalation is a rising, exhalation a falling, and the pause in between is the existing. We can learn to use our breathing as a metaphor for life and the balance that exists in all of nature.

Quieting Our Thinking

A focus on breathing takes our attention away from our preoccupations. As philosopher William James said, “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” When we bring our full awareness to our breathing, we quiet our thinking about other concerns.

Practicing Mindfulness
Jerry Braza