(You're free to reprint this article in it's entirety as long as the author and website's names are included and the links below are active to the proper sites listed on this page. - George)

Compiled  for:" The Shaman's Tent"  by:  George R. Harrison 

© 2008-2010

"Life, is a state of mind."

- From the closing scene of the inspiring movie "Being There" with Peter Sellers.

Life indeed is a state of mind.

We need to be mindful of the state of mind we find ourselves in daily. I find that, for the most part, agitation to my mind comes from external sources like the newspaper or tv.

We've been taught to be concerned with events far away from the communities we live and work in. News that, in past decades or centuries would take months or even years to reach us and about which we would not be concerned or stressed about. It would seem that we need to return to our natural state of just being.

The movie "Being There", that the quote above is taken from is a wonderful story of how flowing with events without ego getting in the way propels us forward in most mysterious ways. It was an earlier version of "Forest Gump" which holds out the same model of being present in the now and letting destiny fill in the gaps.

Meditation has been proven to reduce stress and make us healthier people. Why? Because it sets aside some time for our Selves. Personal time to look at ourselves and slow down our thought patterns.

Stopping the incessent voices and images in our head for even a minute is a greater peace than we will ever know in our daily hectic lives. It isn't easy to do, as any meditator will acknowledge. But, it's a goal with health benefits both mental and physical.

If stopping the barrage of information into our minds is healthful, then, what could the results be of incessent television, radio and newspaper ads and information be doing to us over time?

Could being wired in too closely to events be unhealthy? Let's not mistake stress for excitement. Enthusiasm is a positive force. Stress is a negative one. Enthusiasm generates more energy and satisfaction. Stress drains energy. That's how I tell the difference anyways.

Stay positive. Stay Natural.

Life is a state of mind. - George

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