Stress Managment - A second chance

There are many different ways to deal with stress - some of which I have talked about previously. Most of these methods involve some form of acceptance of "the way things are", because stress is caused by not wanting to accept things that have happened or must happen.

Those people that can bring themselves to fully accept the difficult things in their life report a lessening of the burden of stress, with less troublesome thoughts occupying their minds. In fact, all of us have experienced the sense of relief when we finally accept an inevitable situation after fighting it for a long time. But what happens when even though we know that we should let go and accept, we none the less just cannot bring ourselves to do so - like when someone undeserving gets a promotion that should have gone to us and we cannot help but feel jealous?

Negative emotion is a natural consequence of a negative situation, however, there is a second type of acceptance that we can use that works extremely well in dealing with stress when all other ways of thinking fail. I therefore call it the second chance to dissolve the stress.

The method is as follows: If your negative feelings are overwhelming and you have tried other methods (like trying to see some positive aspects in the experience) which have not worked, then you need to accept the emotions which are manifesting. These emotions are a natural consequence of the situation and of where you are at in your life presently. That is, if you cannot accept the situation itself, then accept that the feelings you have are an inevitable reaction to the situation.

Amazingly, this accepting "what is" emotionally - even that things are unacceptable - can have a calming effect on your mind almost as powerful as accepting "what is" in the real world. Try it next time and see for yourself.

Other news

Lama Choedak Rinpoche talk in Middleton - 21st Oct
Practicle Buddhism for People Today

I am also pleased to announce that one of the most admired and loved Tibetan teachers in Australia will be travelling to South Australia and speaking at the Middleton Pioneer Hall on Thursday October 21st at 7pm.

Lama Choedak Rinpoche is one of the few Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Masters living in Australia. He has been teaching in the West for more than 25 years and has an excellent understanding of the western mind. His teachings are spiced with the richness of his experience and realisation. Offered from the heart, they are lucid, authentic, humorous and profound. You will get the chance to both hear him speak and to ask any questions that you have relating to spirituality, meditation or Buddhism.(see here for more on Lama Choedak and see here for flyer)

In addition to encouraging you to attend, I would also like to request that you kindly assist me in distributing this email or the attached flyer to other people who might be interested in attending.

Meditation lessons on Thursday nights

Meditation classes are starting again and moving to Thursday nights. We will start a series of 8 weeks on August 12th at 7.30pm in Middleton. The cost will be $50 for 8 sessions and a flyer with more information can be found here.