Have you recently changed your mind? Or are you planning to do so in the near future? Wether you want to get a brand new mind set or just open your used one, here is what you need to know.
Never checked your mind before? Not a problem. Anyone can follow these simple steps. No need to get your hands dirty. Simply follow these six checks to inspect the state of your mind.
In this article Sebastian explains attitudes and essentials of mindfulness to check for your state of mind. Increase your quality of life, work and relationships with 6 simple checks of your mind. You will learn three attitudes for better self-leadership and how to use self-awareness for a healthy mind.
Three signs of poor ownership and operation
In order to better inspect your mind it is best to open it a bit. Don’t worry if you can’t open it entirely yet, that is perfectly normal. No need to look into all the dark corners. For this inspection it is enough to get a hold of essential structural parts.
Has the mind been operated with kindness or does it show marks of criticism, resentment and harshness? Did the owner apply patience or does the mind show signs of irritability, temper and unrest? And last but not least: Was the mind often forced to leap forward into the near and far future? Or was it continuously geared backwards, endlessly spinning in the past?
Battered minds are often a sign of harsh operation due to
- Rigid thinking with internalised critical voices
- Pressurised driven behaviour and reasoning
- Relentless rumination and perpetuated planning
If you you find any of the above defects in your own mind there is no need to worry or spend money on a new one. The following DIY attitudes will help to get your mind functioning properly again.
Counter criticism with KINDNESS
Kindness can sometimes be a challenging attitude to hold. Many of my clients can be very kind to others but struggle to bring kindness to themselves. Oftentimes internalised critical voices create negativity and tension. Judgemental voices can occupy big parts of our awareness and attention, making it harder to bring kindness to our thoughts and behaviour.
Overpower pressure with PATIENCE
Patience means to have the courage to stand whatever triggers discomfort. Give your mind the time and space it needs to understand impatience. Impatience is the closed state of longing for resolution – urged and driven. Patience is a state of openness going hand in hand with wisdom and experience. A sense of knowing when to stay and when to go.
Leave the last and the next with PRESENCE
Being in the present is precious. When our minds wander to the past or the future we are missing precious moments. My clients often report that their partners complain about seeing them physically there and yet not feeling there presence. Our presence is a gift to us and others. It is also the main ingredient of compassion.
Three signs of poor service and maintenance
The level of service and maintenance a mind has seen over the years will heavily influence the wear and tear. Only a well-kept mind continues to provide duty and fun to it’s owner.
Seb typically checks if the mind is scattered, shows signs of confusion, rusty thinking or selective memory. He also inspects if the mind carries heaviness as well as burdens.
“Minds in mint or good condition almost always have a sparkling sense of ease, get quickly back to stillness when not in use and produce crystal clear intentions.” says Seb the MindInspector.
Sense of Ease
Pause several times per day and check for a sense of ease. You can do so with a breathing exercise or any other formal mindfulness practice. But you can also simply inspect your body and mind for signs of tension, rigidity or narrowness. If you detect anything other than ease, then turn towards the experience with an attitude that says “it’s ok, it’s already here, I can handle it.”
Stillness of the mind
A photographer uses a tripod to stabilise the camera in shaky conditions or for longer exposure. In the same way the stabilising leads to better photos, stilling the mind leads to better thinking. Allowing the mind to calm. Letting thoughts come and go without stirring up agitation.
Clarity of intention
Does the mind know why the body is here? Does the body know why it is here? If not, get out! A healthy mind has a bigger picture for what it is here for and why it brought the body with it. A healthy mind also sets an intention for the task at hand.
Find here a blog article about the mindful strategies of LETTING GO and LETTING BE