The fast pace of the modern world may put our mind in chaotic state. Information comes and goes, we must do this and do that. There are simply too many things that reside in our mind. While it may cause stress or even depression, at the very least it puts us away from a peaceful state of mind. But a peaceful mind is essential for our effectiveness. It keeps us calm no matter how the situation is, and it allows us to stay joyful during the day. At the end of the day, it makes us happier and more productive.
So here 
I’d like to share 11 ways to have a “mind like water”, a state of mind so peaceful that it’s like a calm water. Pick the ones that work for you:
1. Reduce your use of rational thinking
We need rational thinking, but we tend to overuse it in analyzing our situations and making decisions. That brings a lot of things into our mind which potentially also brings in noise. Is rational thinking really that important? I don’t think so. Even Einstein once said that “I never came upon any of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking.”
2. Listen to your intuition
While you should reduce your use of rational thinking, you should increase your use of intuition. Listen to your intuition whenever you need to make decisions. Your intuition often knows more than you think. Furthermore, since intuition works instantly, it won’t bring a lot of things into your mind. Your mind will remain calm and peaceful. No wonder Einstein said that “The only real valuable thing is intuition.”
3. Listen to your heart
Your heart tells you what is right to do. There is where your deepest value and principles reside. Following what your heart says helps you be true to yourself, and that has a great effect on giving you peace of mind. So learn to listen more to your heart, and do what it tells you to do.
4. Get the stuff out of your mind
This is a basic principle of Getting Things Done (GTD). In fact, the term “mind like water” comes from GTD. You should record the things you need to do or remember on an external system you trust so that they do not occupy your mind. This way your mind will be freed to focus on your current task.
5. Meditate
Meditation is one of the best ways to calm your mind and have a “mind like water”. Even if you do the other ways mentioned in this post, sometimes there is still noise left in your mind. Meditation is a good way to purify it. There are many forms of meditation to choose from.
6. Limit your information intake
Consuming more information often means introducing more noise into your mind. That’s why limiting your information intake is essential to have a calm and peaceful mind. The rule of thumb in consuming information is this: consume information no more than what is necessary. But how do you know what is necessary? Rational thinking may help you figure it out, but I believe that your heart and intuition can help you just as much - if not more.
7. Read spiritual texts
Spiritual texts are among the purest kinds of information you can possibly get. It helps you link together your mind, heart, and intuition. While generally you should limit your information intake, I believe that you can safely consume spiritual texts without introducing noise into your mind.
8. Eliminate unessential stuff
It will be easier to have a peaceful mind if you don’t have too much stuff to worry about. So always look for ways to simplify your life. Eliminate the things which are not essential so that you can focus on the essential. Elimination should be a constant part of your life.
9. Don’t think too much about yourself
We usually think about our own needs and problems most of the time. But self-centered thoughts rarely bring peace into our mind. Quite the opposite, it may make us feel stressed and frustrated. So don’t think too much about yourself; forget yourself for a while.
10. Do something for others
Instead of thinking too much of ourselves, we should think more of others. Think of what you can do for others and do it. There is joy in giving which will give you peace of mind.
11. Slow down
In whatever you do, you do not need to be in rush. Doing so may only bring you faster to the wrong direction. First of all, you need to know where is the right direction to go. Slow down so that you can clearly hear the voice of your heart and intuition.
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Comment by Alan
13 3. September 2007, 9:34 pm o'clock |
These are all wonderful tips. I often struggle to have a peaceful mind, especially during stressful times. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Comment by Atheist
12 3. September 2007, 8:33 pm o'clock |
The idea that the meek shall inherit the earth was designed to encourage people to be meek and thus stupid and thus easy to control. This is more of the same drivel. Stephen Colbert could read this verbatim and it would work. It is that easy of a self-parody.
Comment by Pamela
11 3. September 2007, 2:08 am o'clock |
Nice post. This is very useful especially for those who always struggle for their time. We can make it better if we know how to use our time properly.
Comment by Donald Latumahina
10 1. September 2007, 12:31 pm o'clock |
Sean and Stefan,
Rational thinking is important, and we do need it. But, in my opinion, rational thinking is overrated while listening to our heart and intuition is underrated. Most people emphasize too much on rational thinking while relatively neglect their heart and intuition. What we need is a balance of them all.
I used to overrate rational thinking myself. Recently though, I learn to balance it with my heart and intuition. That means reducing (not eliminating) my attention to rational thinking and listening more to my heart and intuition. In my experience, it gives me better results with much less noise in my mind. “Mind like water” is indeed achievable.
That being said, I realize that it might not work for everyone. That’s why I wrote “pick the ones that work for you” in the post. If some of these tips (or even all of them) do not work for you, you can just skip them.
HP,
You’re welcome! I’m also a fan of Einstein’s quotes; they give me great insights. It’s great to know that this post is in alignment with yours :)
Comment by Stefan
9 1. September 2007, 9:31 am o'clock |
Don’t fool yourself!
The advice is all wrong.
You should always gather as much INFORMATION as you can. It will give you a better decision base when you use your RATIONAL to make decisions.
Think about it. Use your mind (!). It’s the greatest tool you will ever own. You will realise, even ‘in your heart’, that your rational self is right. All you need to do is think. If you don’t already, learn to enjoy thinking. Think often, think deep, consider both sides of an argument - and come up with a third option. Be independent! Have integrity! Life is thinking, so enjoy it!!!
Comment by HP van Duuren
8 31. August 2007, 12:40 pm o'clock |
Thanks for this post, and telling about Albert Einsteins Quote, I really like a lot of Einsteins Quotes (and have a few of them on my blog) however the one you mentioned I didn’t yet know.
You post is totally ‘HP’s Happy Blogspot-Approved’ :)
Also very much in alignment with my (Friday June 22, 2007 ) post titled: ‘Logic is over raded’ you can find at:
All the Best,
HPvD.
Comment by Sean
7 31. August 2007, 12:39 am o'clock |
Hrmm, not so sure about all this. I like the last few, but the first three don’t sound like good ideas at all, in fact they kinda remind me of the flawed thinking of president Bush. Having a clear and peaceful mind is very important for all, but I’m very skeptical of people advising me to reduce my use of rational thinking, its probably in fact my best tool for self-improvement and gaining inner peace.
Comment by Donald Latumahina
6 30. August 2007, 10:24 pm o'clock |
Julian,
A simple but good idea :)
Neena,
I agree, it’s not easy to put into practice, but it’s certainly achievable. I think the first step for most people is implementing GTD. Then we should learn to trust our heart and intuition.
John,
I didn’t know that. Most of what I read about “mind like water” is in GTD context. Thanks for letting me know.
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# 3. September 2007, 6:01 am o'clock |
[...] Donald at Life Optimizer lists 11 sure-fire ways to have a calm and peaceful mind. There is one or two that I might not completely agree with, but that is another story. In total, is very much worth reading… [...]
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#1 2. September 2007, 11:10 pm o'clock |
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