Balancing Inner and Outer Worlds: Strategies for Inner Peace

Description

Life is filled with suffering, but it is also filled with many wonders, like the blue sky, the sunshine, the eyes of a baby.

To suffer is not enough. We must also be in touch with the wonders of life. They are within us and all around us, everywhere, all the time.

If we are not happy, if we are not peaceful, we cannot share peace and happiness with others, even those we love, those who live under the same roof. If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.

Thich Nhat  Hanh

Switching of tasks, dealing with fatigue, and working hard beyond your abilities — these you deal with. However, you can get stuck in a situation where you learn how hard life can be.

Soon you realize that you are going round in circles doing the same activities each day. You want to take hold of your life and make it happen your way, that is when peace becomes a priority.

We have probably all had this experience: Life is rippling along like a sweet summer brook, and then a sudden storm of change shows up and disrupts the serenity. Old enemies we think we have defeated – fear and insecurity, for example – return, throwing us off kilter. Our minds frantically try to find a solution to “fix” the issue, the challenge, the perceived problem, adding to our internal chaos.

When you ask people how they are currently feeling, it is unlikely they will respond with “peaceful” and “calm”. Instead many people may respond that they are overwhelmed, anxious and fatigued, trying to find balance in their lives.

There is also violence and fear throughout the world being exploited by the media. Unfortunately, things do not seem to be changing with the ever-evolving technology spreading negativity and propaganda.

It can be difficult to find a sense of peace when there is so much going on in the world and in our own personal lives. However, we can make a difference with the way we feel and how we approach our own day to day lives.

How do we stay calm, cool, and collected when we find the world around us has become chaotic and out of control? How do we learn to stare down any situation with inner peace and an ability to remain tranquil?

Most of us have been searching for inner peace, or we keep waiting for inner peace to arrive. We tell ourselves that when our life shows up in a new or different way, then inner peace will finally be ours.

On some level, we know this kind of reasoning is nonsense. Yet we have become habituated to thinking this way, putting off our personal peace until sometime in the future.

My wish for you with this course is that you can find that still place inside yourself, the place that can be at peace even in the midst of turmoil.

Module 1

Introduction

 

Module 2

What is inner peace?

Why inner peace is so important

Small changes

Audio:       Letting go of thoughts

 

Module 3

Reasons to embrace chaos

Accepting rather than fighting

You cannot predict the future

Doing rather than not doing

One thing leads to another

Faster, stronger, leaner, sharper

You are resilient

You are meant for bigger things

Clarify what is really important

Chaos can be transformative

Working out in the end

Going with the flow is a lot of fun

Audio:       Listen to the magic around you

 

Module 4

Formula for inner peace

Inner peace practices

Audios:      Resting in the breath

Be here now

Loving kindness

 

Module 5

Getting clear

Notice with acute attention

Audio:       Just this

 

Module 6

Misconceptions that keep you from achieving peace of mind

Money will make me happy

There is no room for mistakes

Shunning negative emotions

Getting ahead in life is all that matters

I need to hold onto my past

To express my feelings is to be weak

I need to be or feel a certain way

 

Module 7

Soothe your body

Self-soothing practices

Audio:       Let nature nurture

 

Module 8

Easing mind clutter

You don’t have to believe everything you think

Audio:       Island of serenity

 

Module 9

Breathe your way to inner calm

You just did something relaxing

Deep breathing exercises

F.O.R

Equal breathing

Progressive relaxation

 

Module 10

Loving yourself more

Befriending

Audio:       Taking it slow

 

Module 11

Balance your life

Where do you need balance?

Set priorities

Set boundaries

 

Module 12

Embrace your emotional self

Practices for dealing with difficult emotions

How to diffuse strong emotions

Audio:       Soothing the heart

 

Module 13

Daily practices

Healthy morning routine

Tea meditation

White noise

Nighttime calm

Mindful exercise

 

Module 14

Open your heart to others

Practices for forgiveness, acceptance and understanding

Everyone wants to be happy

Cultivating the wisdom of compassion

Connect with the humanity of each Being

Compassion

Audio:       Rituals of release

 

Module 15

Making your home a stress-free sanctuary

Your home as a place to grow and heal

All that matters is the present moment

Realize the profound comfort in the word “maybe”

Commit to activities you enjoy

Clear the clutter

 

Module 16

When life gets you down

Develop the power of positive thinking

Anger and bitterness will only beat you down

Today is not forever

Keep a humble and grateful heart

You will come out stronger

You are being equipped to help someone in the future

Make time for yourself

 

Module 17

Finding your inner peace when you have lost it

Peace is a constant in the here and now

A messenger of peace and love

 

Module 18

Staying calm and clear

Living a fulfilling lifestyle

Passion, practice, persistence

Living in alignment

 

Module 19

Your inner sanctuary

Preparation

Getting started

The meditation

 

Module 20

An inner win to a greater outer win

You deserve to live an amazing life

Creating some well-deserved head space

Mindfulness meditation

What are the benefits?

Ways meditation benefits your day to day life, work and relationships

Getting started

Once you begin meditating

Expectation

Effort – finding the balance

Unveiling happiness in the now

When should you do it?

 

Module 21

Rituals for inner peace

Simple rituals to practice

How will you start your day?

Smudging ritual

Self-healing rituals

Rituals bring relief when things are falling to pieces

Chanting mantras

Keys to creating rituals

 

Module 22

Resolve what makes you restless

Ways to find peace amidst a chaotic life

Ideas to implement

Do nothing

Spend time with your loved ones

Take time out for yourself

Switch to a healthy lifestyle

Engage in learning new stuff

Take life less seriously

 

Module 23

Being at peace in every moment

This moment

 

Module 24

Living with chaos

Reality will strike

Ways to deal with chaos

Order gone wrong

Seeing the world as you want to see it

Meet the fool in your life

The madness of “our order”

Life is about connectedness

Tao of physics

Having a true intention

The value of a fool in your life

Tying out emotions to specific outcomes

Remember, nothing is permanent

Find the natural flow of life