How to Keep Cool in a World that is Heating Up?
Although climate “scientists” say that increasing numbers of heatwaves, increasing wildfires across the globe, droughts, sea level changes in the Arctic, changes in rainfall and melting ice sheets in Greenland are just a few of the many consequences of climate change, but what they keep ignoring is that “climate change” itself is the result of “scientific development.”
Many of the activities that are at the heart of popular conceptions of a ‘good or successful life’ — flying, driving, shopping, consuming, enjoying, motorways, big and luxurious houses or mansions— and the infrastructure and industries that are needed to provide them are very high producers of greenhouse gases.
Thus desire or greed and competition for material wealth and comforts or products of scientific development that are also essential component of new civilization, has pushed us to the brink of losing a stable mind and as a result losing a stable environment and stable climate.
In this context, point to ponder is that how can humans live with perpetual development/innovation that, in changing the shape of our environment, also transforms our perceptions, attitudes, morals, and values? If the prime effect of change or development is more change or development, is there a limit beyond which we will not be able to go without anarchy, disorder, chaos, and tyranny?
The answer is simple as well as evident. Although the story of our species is mostly the story of disorder, not too much order, it seems that now we have reached the limit.
And now in the “tele-everything” world, according to a variety of experts, sweeping societal change will make life more complicated and miserable for majority of people or have-nots as greater inequality, stiff economic competition and rising tensions and thus rising incidences of violence and terrorism, and rampant misinformation and confusion take hold in the wake of haphazard development and globalization.
In short, modern civilization has proved less a blessing and more a curse as today’s world seems to have been infested with so many problems that maintaining peace of mind has become the biggest challenge for most of the souls inhabiting the earth. And increasing disorder and confusion around is creating disorder and confusion in the mind. Thus one finds it hard to keep a grasp on life that seems too random and too chaotic.
So the main question is: how to keep cool and remain in a state of tranquility and harmony in a world that is constantly heating up?
The answer is easy and the hard at the same time.
Easy, if we are willing to change our mindset and clear the rubbish that our mind has already been stuffed with.
Hard or rather impossible, if we are hoping for a messiah or miracle that will bring a wonderful change in our lives without any effort on our part.
Thus if you are not waiting passively for any messiah or miracle, here are some fantastic tips that will make your life meaningful, beautiful, and peaceful at the same time:
- Practice Acceptance to Release Resistance
Acceptance brings a radical change in our life because it undoes the painful resistance to (perceived) reality. However, acceptance simply doesn’t mean accepting the circumstances and conditions beyond our control. It also includes self-acceptance. When we accept everything as it is, including ourselves, we feel a sort of liberation. It also means accepting change. Life can’t remain static and is always unpredictable. We can’t know what will happen next moment neither can we control what is happening or will happen. That is why experts suggest that, in comparison to resistance, acceptance is the healthier option. For example, some sages are of the view that “believing that something is wrong (with us or in the outside world) is a deep and tenacious suffering” Thus instead of being harsh critics of our own or others, we can choose not to resist the experience of being and let ourselves flow with what is happening, inside as well as outside. If you accept the emotions and let them flow, they’ll run their course and help you get back to your life once the negative or unpleasant feeling is over. But if you suppress those emotions, you’ll end up in depression and the negative feelings will not go away. Acceptance is also at the heart of self-compassion. It is the opposite of resistance. It is allowing pain instead of hating it or pushing it away. Remember that resistance wastes our energy and delivers nothing. However, acceptance doesn’t mean not trying to improve ourselves as well as our circumstance. It means accepting the things as they are without any emotional reaction and then trying to change the reality. When we accept the reality we can also change it. Acceptance allows you to recognize and face the actual problem. This can allow for problem-solving.
- Learn to Let Go
Letting go, according to some philosophers, is a fundamental principle of life, death, and rebirth. It’s a waste of time and effort to worry about the past or your future since the past has already happened and future has yet to happen and no amount of thinking can change both. Living in the past also means living in a prison. However, letting go is more than just acceptance. It means, according to Buddhism, focusing on the here and now what is happening at the moment to gain enlightenment and get rid of distractions so that one can respond thoughtfully rather than automatically and not the “now” of our worries and problems. Here is an example to make the point more clear:
“Imagine that you’re sitting on your couch, reading a book while eating popcorn, intermittently checking your mobile phone, and half-heartedly listening to your friend talk about their domestic problems. All the while, you’re thinking about a task that you need to do the very next day.
Later, when you’re lying in bed, you realize you didn’t quite understand the book, enjoy your popcorn, or hear what your friend said. What’s worse is that you don’t feel relaxed or rejuvenated.”
Moreover, according to a quote, when you finally let go of the past, something better would come along. In other words, when you come out of the prison of your past, you will have the freedom to do more things and have more choices than ever. The horizon of your imagination will broaden.
Finally, let go of also means letting go of guilt, anger, loss or betrayal etc. and moving forward.
- Stop Being Judgemental
Judgmental behavior typically involves appraising something like a situation, person, or action with a critical attitude. A person often does this in a condemning and fault-finding way using their subjective (likely moralistic) point of view and set of values. We are all judgmental. Yes, even you. I certainly am, many times. I think it’s human nature. But judging other people promotes negative energy, even if that person never knows you were judging them. Although Being judgmental is not all bad, when the judgment comes from a balanced and neutral mind — it is fine and making value judgments is how we learn, grow, make friendships, and make just about any decision on a daily basis. But judging excessively, to the point that it negatively impacts your happiness and that of the people around you is not good.
According to some psychologists, when we pass judgment, we are oftentimes passing off our own insecurities, fears, and disappointments onto others. It is uncomfortable both for the one doing the judging and for those judged. Stop yourself. This takes a greater awareness than we usually have, so the first step (and an important one) is to observe your thoughts for a few days, trying to notice when you’re being judgmental. Here are some further suggestions:
- Distinguish between judging actions and judging people.
- Ask yourself what you really know about the person you’re judging.
- Change your perspective.
- Try to see positive aspects in every situation.
- Shore up your own self-worth. The more you like and accept yourself, the less you have to put others down.
- Talk Less and Learn to Appreciate Silence
Don’t get involved into unnecessary arguments or debates just because you feel boredom or uncomfortable in silence. Talking doesn’t make you more productive. Instead it saps your energy. Speak only when necessary. Speaking without thought will cause negative or unpleasant feeling. Psychologist are of the view that apparently speaking aimlessly to escape boredom might seem harmless but most of the time it is unproductive. In fact, speaking without applying thought may even create social problems which are actually avoidable. Thus later you may regret about saying things that would not have been said. Moreover, if we are not careful while speaking we might end up hurting someone. Sometimes when we get emotional, it’s easy to get carried away and react to everything negatively that can severely impact our relationships.
Also try to enjoy silence. According to ancient Chinese Taoist philosopher Lao Tzu, “silence is a source of great strength.” Thus try to enjoy some quiet time everyday.
Moreover, frequently turning on the television, scrolling through social media etc. can also be very much harmful for your mental health. According to social scientists, by taking a break from the noise of technology and content consumption, you’ll give yourself a chance to experience greater clarity. With clarity comes better choices that lead to a more fulfilling life.
Some research studies suggest that silence is good for your brain. It relieves stress, mitigates anxiety, and enables us to make meaning, empathize, create, and reflect.
In short, the less you see, talk, and hear, the more settled, calm and creative your mind can be.
- Be the minimalist
Being minimalist means believing and practicing Minimalism. Minimalism is about avoiding the unnecessary , it’s about simplicity, utility and elegance. It’s all about “LESS IS MORE” in terms of embracing the most of fewer things.
According to Wikipedia, minimalist lifestyle is “an effort to use materials which are most essential and in quantities that do not exceed certain limits imposed by the user themselves.” It helps to focus on things that are important in one’s life. It saves resources from going waste if excess quantities are bought. It also saves the time of acquiring the excess materials that may be found unnecessary. Moreover, it helps to enjoy life with simple things that are available without undue efforts to acquire. it helps you intentionally promoting the things you value the most and removing everything that distracts us from it.
Thus it is a tool that can assist you in finding the true freedom. Freedom from anxiety, from fear, from worry, from overwhelm, from guilt etc.
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References:
i) https://mindfulnessexercises.com/guided-meditation-self-acceptance/
ii) https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/click-here-happiness/202108/how-practice-acceptance
iii) https://www.coaching-online.org/acceptance-and-letting-go/
iv) https://psychcentral.com/blog/what-it-really-means-to-be-in-the-present-moment
v) https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/general/why-am-i-being-judgmental/
vi) https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/the-benefits-of-silence-and-solitude
