I picked up The Art of Power at a local bookstore several months ago, and when I read through it, I was excited about all these new concepts and perspectives on how to truly feel present and calm.
Months later, as I reviewed my notes and annotations, I realized these concepts had become a part of me.
We all kind of know that what happens in our minds and hearts makes an impact on how we feel and on the overall quality of our lives, but today I’m sharing a few very specific ways this book has helped me, and I hope these ideas will give you a lift, as well!
Quick Note: The Apple Podcast app now creates an auto-generated transcription for each episode–which saves our team a ton of time writing out all the details for each podcast, so when you click into an episode there and scroll down a bit, you can click “Transcript” and read/skim from there! I’m sure this will become the default on other podcast apps soon, and I did read that there’s another app called “Castle” that works for Android phones, as well. Thanks for your support as we focus our energy serving in a variety of ways here at LearnDoBecome!)
Back to the book!
Idea #1: If we don’t have time to “breathe,” we need to identify our true boss.
I’ve learned, in my case, that the “boss” is typically pride. Whenever I say, “I am so busy that I don’t have to breathe or rest or spend time with my family or take a break,” it’s usually because I think I need to do something in order to prove myself or be seen in a positive light by other people. This is hard to admit, but this one concept alone is helping me so much!
Idea #2: Nurture the best seeds in our minds.
According to the author, we have two levels of consciousness–store consciousness (which is like our mind’s basement) and mind consciousness (which is like our mind’s living room). There are all kinds of seeds in our mind’s basement–fear, anger, frustration, jealousy, etc. But there are also seeds of joy, peace, love, etc. We want to bring the nicest ones up to the “living room” so they can grow from there!
Idea #3: Don’t eat our projects.
This one sounds kind of funny, but essentially, we’re encouraged not to focus on our projects or tasks while we’re eating, walking, or doing other things. UNITASK–don’t multitask. I love that concept! Being able to do one thing at a time–mindfully–is such a relief.
That’s why having a STEP Command Central means so much to me. It enables me to put my projects and tasks into a trusted system so that my mind can rest. I still have to focus on being fully present, breathing, appreciating nature, and not thinking about my projects, but I am getting there!
Idea #4: Don’t connect true happiness with anything we can lose.
Often, when we have a lot of possessions, we live in fear that someone will come and take those things from us. It can bring a lot of peace if we don’t have anything to lose. And while some people choose to sell all their things so they literally don’t have anything someone could take, I believe each one of us can disconnect our “happiness” from the possessions we have–even things like our health. While I know my future holds some kinds of loss, I don’t need to let the fear of that loss or the pain I might feel impact my ability to be at peace.
Idea #5: Get off the spiral of escalating consumption.
We each get to decide what that means for us, but, in general, I want to live a simple life so I can have more time and energy to serve living beings.
Everything we buy–and every activity or responsibility we accept into our lives is going to require some energy moving forward. Sometimes it’s worth it, but I believe it’s important not to get stuck in the cycle of purchasing lots and lots of items with the hope that all that stuff will make us happy.
A couple reflection questions that have helped me are, “Do I crave being admired or envied?” Or, “Do I crave being available to serve living beings?”
Your questions and perspectives might be different, but these have given me a good way to check myself.
I hope that this episode was helpful for you, and if you have additional ideas or perspectives that have helped you to feel more calm, please share them in the comments!
Related Links!
Past Podcast About Going from “Fear and Duty” to Love
Favorite Books on Amazon! (All book links are affiliate links.)
The Art of Power by Thich Nhat Hanh
All it Takes is a Goal by Jon Acuff
15 Parts of the STEP Command Central – Questions/Informal Quiz
LearnDoBecome YouTube Channel!
Our ARISE membership – an amazing gathering place for community members that are using their Command Centrals to refine relationships, health, finances, individual purpose, and more. We focus on a new topic each month, and this is an amazing opportunity to receive coaching and support from Team LearnDoBecome. You can sign up for a free, 7-day trial here.
Thank you for sharing this, April. How wonderful when a book becomes part of you, and you “own” it!
One concept that has helped me stay calm is to “live in day tight compartments”. Just focus on the day or task at hand. Strength just for today. Sufficient. Don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow.
I lke what David Allen of GTD says,
“Projects, not problems.”
One article I read talked about a 2 Part Strategy for dealing with anxiety or overwhelm. The first part is to take a 20 minute break and just sit quietly. The next part is to write it out. I have used this to gain clarity or release or direction. Such simple and no cost ways to calm a troubled mind.
I find it helps to look at life as an adventure.
If if bumps occur in the road, things have a way of working out. Answers are out there if we search for them. Many resources and kind people are available to help us.
Of course, the best of all is my confident faith in a kind and loving and powerful God who delights in protecting me and providing for me.
LOVE all these thoughts! Thank you for taking the time to share them here. I am so inspired and grateful. ❤️