A Stressed Mind is a Grasping Mind

Wanting to hold onto things is a big cause of stress. We are always either trying to pull things toward us or push things away. We grab the things we like, and the things we don't like, well we push them away. This constant struggle uses up a lot of energy and causes stress in our minds and bodies.

In Buddhism this is called attachment. We are always craving more and more. What happens when we don't get what we want? We stress. It is not the desire of wanting things that is the problem, it is the attachment, the craving that is the problem. It is what a good friend of mine calls "the grasping mind".

Well what is the way to solve this challenge? We start to solve it by changing our perceptions. We learn to live from a different state of mind. Does that mean we don't have goals, desires, dreams. No. It means we have those things, but don't have to have those things. See the difference, its subtle. I want a Porsche, but I don't have to have a Porsche. If I can buy one, fine, if I can't I am happy with my Honda. I want to get home by 5:30 today, but the boss calls me in for a last minute meeting. Would I have rather got off on time, yes, but am I going to have a bad night because I didn't? No.

Its learning to be more in the flow of life. Its learning to be more self reliant. Its learning to be so full inside that you don't need anything else. Again, its not that I don't want anything, I just don't have to have anything.

With this state of mind, stress seems to lessen its hold. Why? Because now there is nothing for stress to hold on to. There is nothing for it to grab, because we are not grabbing.

Til next time.

Wishing you the best,

Dr. John Zipp