Nine Ways to Growth and Contentment

1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked

Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God within us. Each one of us is unique. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because their contracts prompt them that way. Why are you bothered? Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.

2. Forgive And Release

This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. Nurtured grievances result in loss of sleep and eventually the development of stomach ulcers and high blood pressure. The insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Believe the doctrine of Karma. Release the injury and remember the lesson. Life is too short to waste your energy on remembering insults and injuries. Forgive, release, remember the lesson and move on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.

3. Do Not Crave Recognition

The world is full of selfish people who seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and will find faults in you. Why do you wish to give away your power in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth your depletion of valuable energy. Also, do not seek a guru. Giving away your power by following a teacher without questioning depletes your energy and dulls the fine discerning abilities that are innate within you. Question your teachers and take away the teachings.

4. Do Not Be Jealous

We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. There are many examples of jealousy in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody's life is shaped by his or her previous Karma, which has now become his destiny. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. If you are jealous because your loved one has directed their attention away from you for a moment, why does that cause you pain? Jealousy will not get you anywhere. It will only take away your peace of mind.

5. Change Yourself According To The Environment

If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious. This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to transform our energy fields and our minds by running the energies through our lightbodies. You will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power and witness transformation all around you.

6. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We sometimes take on more responsibilities than we are capable of managing. Are you doing this to satisfy your ego or make someone else happy? Know your limitations. Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce the thoughts in your mind that make you restless. An uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.

7. Meditate Regularly
Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Try meditation upon waking and then again in the evening as you take thirty minutes for yourself to observe the earth moving into the restfulness of night. As you practice meditation, your mind will not be as easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily mediation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.

8. Never Leave The Mind Vacant

An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind created from living in the negative influences of idle chatter, watching television and participating in gossip. Keep your mind occupied in something positive and worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or temple work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting.

9. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret

Do not waste time in protracted wondering " Should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way.