Thursday, May 28, 2020

Mental Health: Keeping Zen to Find the Zenith (149)

The time at which something is most powerful or successful- our zenith, is now.

This transitory timeline is our pinnacle moment. How society is coping, and how individually, we are carrying on- is widely discussed. Debated and pontificated. Every news outlet, social media platform, and personal conversations are centered around covid-19 and self-care.

If we are mindful, if we become more aware of our emotions, reactions, wants and needs- we will be able to find our zen much easier.

We have two parts of our nervous system- sympathetic and parasympathetic. We are in a constant state of fight or flight- stay or run. The indecision, has us on edge. Go outside, stay inside- wear a mask, don't wear a mask. Hide our emotions, share our feelings. The juxtaposition adds more to our already weakened state of mind.

Our sympathetic nervous system is in hyper-drive- keeping us at the ready. It's exhausting and our nerves are frayed and our mood swings drastic.

We hear, take a deep breath. We hear, do something nice for yourself. We hear, be generous and give to others. It's a challenge, to quiet our minds long enough, to know what to do, let alone do it.

Our parasympathetic nervous system inhibits our body from overworking- in other words it forces us to calm down, to rest.

It senses our cacophony, it hears the distorted notes of the orchestra in our brains warming up- each note loud, every instrument battling for domination. Every sound an attempt to align on pitch.

Then the conductor, our reason and resolve, steps up to the podium and all of a sudden all the instruments find the same note and the symphony begins. The calm resonates.

This moment is when the two systems talk to one another. You are no longer in danger, you slow your reaction time, because you no longer need to panic. you listen for your heart beat, belly breathe and settle down, until things make sense.

I am sure its a similar technique the Hulk, has to use to reconnect with Bruce Banner, after a long day of fighting evil.

Zen is accessible, yet we are often too busy and distracted to chart a course toward it.

But, at the end of the day, we shake off the stress, and look for the doorway. Our zenith is upon us- our zen surrounds us. The two shall meet.

I guess, like any other process, it takes practice. Mental health is important. Focusing outwards helps. Sharing our feelings verbally, helps. Our generosity, helps us stay mentally healthy. Giving is the cure to the feeling of want. Giving is the antidote, to self-doubt and the need to feel good.

When we share our story, donate, listen, find opportunities to feel connected, our isolation will wane.

Our physical locale is one thing- our mental energy is another. Taking care of one another, refills the energy pool. This pool becomes an ocean of love and compassion and this in turn, slows our need to be anywhere, but where we are. At least temporarily.

Our zenith is an opportunity for change. For personal growth. For community building and societal improvements.

Conversation keeps the zen sparkling. Acknowledgment keeps our zenith illuminated. Together zen and mindfulness, transforms our zenith, into a canvas for self-awareness, self-growth and self-happiness.

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