Contributed by Cherilyn Martinetti, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru
“Centering” is the process of relaxing, renewing and refreshing yourself through meditation, exercise and adjusting your environment. The goal of centering yourself is to be in touch with your inner self so that you can cope with the daily stresses that occur at work and at home.
With practice, everyone can find a specific ritual or series of activities that help them feel more centered and in control of both emotions and thought processes. Centering yourself can help sleep, digestion and general health.
Here are my suggestions for the top ten ways to center yourself:
10. Surround yourself with the Lotus Flower
In Buddhism, the lotus flower is a symbol of purity of mind and body. To remind yourself of a commitment to remain centered and pure of intention, fill your living space with lotus inspired decor, like lotus candle holders, lotus flower patterned pillows and lotus dinnerware. Wear a piece of lotus jewelry. Try lighting some lotus-shaped candles around a bath or in any area to create the ambiance and focus on having a pure heart and mind.
9. Make your garden Zen
Gardening can be a very relaxing and rewarding hobby for some. Add some more zen to your landscape and make your garden a special place of tranquility. Water gardening is especially peaceful, and is a wonderful way to center yourself.
8. Repeat your own positive mantra
Mala beads are Buddhist prayer beads used while reciting a mantra. You can learn a basic Buddhist mantra, or try repeating a reaffirming phrase to help focus and motivate.
If you do opt for an affirmation, make sure it’s short and simple. Telling yourself that you’re going to get that job and then pay off your bills and finally redecorate your bedroom might be a good thing, but it makes a terrible mantra!
7. Get rid of the bad
Buddhists believe in burning incense to remove evil spirits or negative energy. Try burning some, even if only for the scent.
6. Try music therapy
Singing bowls are popular in Buddhist and other eastern cultures as part of religious chants and rituals. The harmonic sounds they omit are also popular in music therapy. Listening to peaceful music and tuning out your daily stresses is a way to center yourself.
5. Practice gratitude
Take time out each day to reflect on what you have and the people in your life. Be thankful for those things instead of worrying about the things you don’t have.
4. Be compassionate
It’s easy to get overwrought when faced with obstacles in life. Remember that some may have it much worse. Practice charity towards those who are worse off, regardless of your current situation. Make a concerted effort to be compassionate, think about your actions and feel how it centers you.
3. Laugh
Make it a point each day to find something that makes your genuinely happy and find the humor in life.
2. Create good Karma
Focus on putting good out in the world. Karma isn’t defined by an individual act, but how a person lives overall. According to Buddhist practice, your past determines your present, and your present controls your future. Traditionally, this is talking about past and future lives. But even if you don’t believe in reincarnation, the concept of karma applies in this lifetime, too.
Looking for ways to do good, and expressing graditude for the good you receive is a powerful tool for creating a settled, calm mind.
1. Just breathe
Something so basic that we automatically do everyday, yet never stop to think about. Take a few moments, sit in silence, and focus on your breathing. Everything starts with a breath.