By: Linda Sepadin
This mindset emphasizes the importance of resolving life's problems by developing the ability to be still, to quietly contemplate life, to control the mind, to live in peaceful harmony. In many circumstances, doing a little is viewed as better than doing a lot, while doing nothing may be best. Doing nothing, however, does not mean entering into a weak, helpless, lazy state. Easterners believe that you can do nothing, yet be fully alive, aware, and involved.Even Chinese medicine has a different mindset than Western medicine does. Their primary approach is not to fix one area of the body, but to correct imbalances in the body so that blocked energy (chi) can flow freely again. In yoga, there is respect for your limitations and acceptance of where you are at any moment in time. I doubt that we Westerners can ever fully embrace the Eastern way of being, but we can certainly learn from these traditions. Though there are many times when there is no substitute for taking action, there are also times when taking action just creates more stress and discontent.With this in mind, the next time you find yourself pressured by your can-do attitude, let Eastern wisdom be your teacher. Instead of trying to fix the problem (especially one that is long standing or is another person's) try a different approach. Sit still, relax, take a deep breath, calm your body, empty your mind. Let yourself feel a few moments of contentment. Let yourself feel a few moments of compassion. Stay with this calm state for as long as you can. Then as you go about your business, notice if there is a difference in how you are.
Linda Sapadin, Ph.D., is a psychologist in private practice and author of Master Your Fears: How to Triumph Over Your Worries and Get On With Your Life. She specializes in helping individuals, families and couples overcome self-defeating patterns of behavior. She invites you to visit her website at www.psychwisdom.com. Copyright © 2004
