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General Buddhism => General Buddhism => Topic started by: sonamdhargey on March 31, 2013, 04:43:07 AM
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Sometimes we become so monotonous in our daily life that we become stuck in the cycle of routine and wanting to do things that you dreamed when we were kids. Yes no doubt that happiness is mind trasformation from the eight worldly concerns, well while we are on the way there we can do 10 simple things to live happy, wild and free.
1. Write out a short-list of the simple things that give you pleasure.
Keep them in the front of your consciousness and make sure you engage with them at least a few times a week. As you do these things, stay present and mindful of the joy they bring you.
For example, I love eating a fresh juicy nectarine on a summer’s afternoon, and meditating in the morning after a fresh brewed cup of tea, and taking a walk with my husband and window-shopping. What are some of your simple things?
2. Get moving.
Maybe you like the openness and relaxation you feel after a yoga class or the sweat and wild release of spinning. You may enjoy seeing your dog run happily in circles as you throw balls at the park.
Whatever movement inspires you, do it and observe the happiness and freedom it brings. Also, take a short walk after having a meal. This not only helps with digestion, but also instantly relieves any heavy feelings.
3. Eat light.
Support your body/mind/spirit with simple meals three times a day. On retreat, we eat out of three small bowls, usually a grain, a soup and a vegetable. Eating light helps us to feel lighter and also increases concentration, digestion, energy levels, and productivity.
As a practice of mindfulness, I put my eating utensil down between each bite and wait to pick it up again until the food is completely swallowed. It takes 20 minutes for our meal to be digested, so I know if I eat slowly for 20 minutes, I will feel completely satisfied without having to eat large portions.
4. Take a cold shower.
Waking up in the morning and taking a cold shower revives and wildly awakens the senses. Here are some benefits of cold showers:
Improves circulation
Relieves depression
Keeps skin and hair healthy
Increases testosterone and fertility
Increases energy and well-being
5. Talk less, and when you do talk have noble conversation.
When you hang out with your friends and loved ones, learn to love the spaces in the conversation. Listen more to their tone as they share rather than thinking about how you are going to respond.
Pay attention to what happens to your energy when you talk less, and how much happier you feel as you conserve more energy. Plus, you will love the simple intimacy of your relationships as you increase presence and heart-centered listening, freeing yourself of complications and unwanted dramas.
6. Get 10 minutes of sun a day.
With sunscreen, there are benefits to getting sun. Well-documented research shows there is a relationship between low vitamin D levels and poor health, such as frail bones, multiple sclerosis, and prostate cancer. We need vitamin D!
Also, light hitting your skin, not just your eyes, helps reverse seasonal affective disorder. Here comes the sun! Let the sunshine in!
7. Turn off the TV.
Rather than watch TV, use your time more mindfully. Read, walk, meet friends, or join an evening group or class. Use your time to connect to others and yourself. Or jump in and do something different, spontaneous, and wild!
8. Create.
Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist there are so many ways to express creatively. Cook with a loved one, dance in your living room, sing in the car, journal without editing or crossing out, learn a new joke.
Be happy, wild, and free as you express yourself more creatively!
9. Enjoy nature.
Find the nature that surrounds you—really see it. Observe yourself as you witness nature and appreciate its growth and timing.
If you feel like things are going too slow, too fast, or you aren’t really sure of where you are going, remember there is a natural timing for everything, and all the roads are taking you to the right place at the right time.
Ask yourself, “How can I compare nature’s experience to my life? How am I just like the wild flower that is growing on the path?”
10. Know the simple truth.
With enthusiasm and confidence, state what you know to be true about your authentic self. Ask yourself, “What is true about myself right now in this moment?”
For example, I am enough, I am worthy, I am good, I am loved, I have what I need, or I am a success.
State this affirmation out loud a few times to embody the essence of who you really are in this very moment. Take it in! Believe this and you are free!
Keeping your focus on the simplest things offers an immediate experience of abundant joy. May you embrace simplicity in your daily life filled with lightness, movement, and sunshine!
Source:http://tinybuddha.com/blog/10-simple-tips-to-live-happy-wild-and-free/ (http://tinybuddha.com/blog/10-simple-tips-to-live-happy-wild-and-free/)
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Thank you for this post.
I like point no. 10 --- enjoy nature.
Most of us work in the city, surrounded in the concrete jungle. Not much of a chance to really enjoy the greens; not that there aren't any greens. I would say that enjoying nature is not just planting a tree here, or there. It involves really appreciating the greens in its natural surroundings, hearing the chirpings of birds and insects. Also enjoying the clean, fresh air.
Point 7 --- turn off the TV --- my tv has not been working for months due to a loose electrical connection. Now that the wiring is fixed, I need to go out more to enjoy the fresh air.
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Thank you so much for the 10 tips to live happy, wild and free.
My favourite is point 4. I love taking cold shower. It makes me feel fresh always and waken me up that it's always a good day to begin with...haha
For point 7, this should including all the commuication gadgets. I.e: mobile phone, tablet and etc. All these gadgets should b turn off. Nowadays each of us is holding at least one gadget and it is with us everywhere we go or any occasion we attend. Sometimes we have missed out a lot of fun thing that happen around us as we are always eyes on the gadgets and play with it at all times.
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These tips to live a happy life is great...for this life. What about our next life; does it really bring total happiness even in this life and what about others? There is actually nothing wrong with living a joyful life and perhaps these tips can help. I would like to suggest that on top of these tips, we insert actions that bring relief and joy to others. Taking the responsibilities upon oneself to relief others of suffering and bring happiness and wisdom can be the highest joy to anyone. This is what I think.
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Thank you for the wonderful day to day tips. Yes, I agree with yontenjamyang. These are just tips for a happy life now, dont forget we also need to work much much harder for our next lives. And yes, we should include more virtuous actions into these tips. Below are just some of my thoughts...
Something like
pleasure=charity,giving and making others happy instead of shopping for ourselves, we shop and give those who need it.
turn off tv=meditate or chant some prayers or even listen to teachings online.
get moving=circumambulating a temple, stupa or holy objects.
simple truth=reading Dharma related books.
speak to friends=convey Dharma to those who need it.