Discussions

Most of our minds are so clouded or disturbed with disruptive thinking, we would not recognize peace of mind were to it occur. Have you ever seen a clear lake in the early morning? The surface is so still, it perfectly reflects the trees, clouds and sky around it. You can see the rocks clearly resting at the bottom. The lake is in its natural, pristine state: Unclouded and accurately reflecting the image of the world. Later in the day, if you were to return to that same lake, it might not be so serene and reflective. Wind, boats and swimmers are disturbing the surface and distorting what is reflected. Silt floats in the water, clouding it and making it impossible to see the bottom.  
 
Our minds are very much like the lake. When they are still, they are more accurately reflective of reality. When they are not clouded, we are able to "see" the depths of our own awareness. However, most of the time, our minds are disturbed with activities of daily living which disrupt the clarity of our awareness of reality. They are filled with emotional disruption that clouds our perceptions. Most of us would not recognize "peace of mind" if it were to suddenly occur. What are some of the characteristics of a peaceful mind? How would you function if you were afflicted with the "peace-of-mind syndrome?" If you suffer from "Peace-0f-Mind Syndrome, here are some of the symptoms.  
 
You will fall asleep easily, remain asleep deeply, and awaken refreshed and feeling good.  
 
Your sleep would be punctuated with pleasant dreams.  
 
You will arise filled with enthusiasm for living another day.  
 
You experience a deep sense of belonging.  
 
You belong to all living things...to all of Life.  
 
You feel a part of everything, connected to everything that exists.  
 
You will be loved by all those with whom you come in contact.  
 
People will love your energy, your feelings, your thoughts, and your way of being in the world.  
 
Your face will be alive and radiant.  
 
You will have a distinct tendency to behave based on your immediate experience.  
 
You are oriented to the present moment, not on your history or anticipated future.  
 
You will enjoy each moment.  
 
Your capacity for experiencing this joy will become large.  
 
You will lose all interest in judging yourself or others.  
 
Self-criticism ceases.  
 
It is replaced by self-love, self-respect and consideration of your well-being first.  
 
Then you will consider others with that same love and respect.  
 
You will fail to take an interest in promoting conflict, participating in competition, or viewing differences as bad or wrong.  
 
You will cease worrying about events which have not occurred.  
 
And once events occur, you will immediately recognize them as history and therefore not subject to change.  
 
You will be plagued by regular episodes of appreciation and awareness of the positive events in your life.  
 
You will be stuck in a keen sense of curiosity and delight at new learnings.  
 
You will find an increased desire to be kind, gentle and caring in all your relationships.  
 
You will be able to receive with gratefulness, that which is offered by others.  
 
You will experience an increased tendency to allow events to evolve without attempting to resist, control or manipulate them.  
 
You will experience chronic contentment. A differential-diagnostic sign of inner peace.  
 
Finally, you will share your symptoms with everyone else.  
The Peace-of-Mind Syndrome is highly contagious. You will spread its symptoms, splashing its benefits around without discrimination. You will die contentedly and unconfused. If you have difficulty catching this syndrome, remember the lake. Like it, peace of mind is your natural, pristine state. Rediscover it, and the syndrome is yours.