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Life As A Path, Part 1

Psychic pollution

Pollution of the mind is a different story, one which may in some ways be harder, but is also in some ways much easier. To simplify, turn off the news in the morning. Don't watch it in the evening. Most news programs and media presentations of news exist solely for ratings and will choose sensational and disturbing items over positive and uplifting items, or items that have a positive impact on the community, or that illustrate a way to help the environment. Many popular magazines engage in much the same behavior and seek only to incense or provoke the reader, or even convince him of irrational conclusions arrived at using questionable data.

Some may find this difficult since this will require searching the internet for reliable news sources, speaking to friends who are more aware of things happening that are pertinent to you and your life and causes, or even simply being aware as things happen where you are. However, I may ask, what do you think people did before the news media arrived? These things travelled by word of mouth. Even in the days of presses, not every town had a newspaper. Many people even today depend on others to spread news that they feel will be pertinent to the person. By letting people who know you convey news to you, you also increase the likelihood that the news item will be something you would want or need to know, that you might be able to do something about rather than a completely contrived piece of news meant only to incense, since you will be unable to affect it in any way.

In this day of the internet and email, cellular phones and instantaneous communications, it is certainly not difficult to send a letter to a friend or to expect one from a friend. Now more than ever, it is easy to join mailing lists that will keep you posted on the items that you care about and can act upon. Oftentimes, if you are not involved in what is considered the 'mainstream,' the news media care little about you and do not aim their programming towards you. Many of us fall outside of that category, and news programs tend to be simply another form of exclusion. It is far better to find something more positive and entertaining to watch or read, if you must watch or read anything, during your breakfast and dinner.

Spiritual pollution

For pollution of spirit, I would advise a simple act. To avoid pollution, take some time to yourself each day for meditation. Although in the recent years the term 'meditation' has come to be associated with people sitting perfectly in the lotus position, typically wearing leotards in subdued colors and often chanting mantras, this is not necessarily meditation. Meditation, in its purest form, is when the mind is still and at peace, and can be done standing, sitting, lying down, or even moving. Walking through your garden can be meditation, as can sitting quietly on a park bench or looking out over a lake. For some, playing games or even cooking or cleaning can be meditation as well. Some people use their shower as meditation, in a similar way as the ascetic standing under a waterfall and contemplating the mysteries of the universe. One may even meditate while falling asleep, in bed, at the end of the day.

Conclusion, Part 1

Above all, with these cautions in mind, it is also important to end the day on a positive note. Even on a bad day, something good will happen. There is always something to look forward to, or something to look fondly back upon. If nothing more, you can always be pleased with the fact that something didn't happen that you perhaps might have dreaded. In this way, you will sleep with less likelihood of your rest being disturbed by negative dreams that color your subsequent day.

This may be only the beginning for a positive outlook, but the tips detailed will assist anyone in making their lives a little better. It is possible to scale any obstacle, as long as we recall that it can be done one step at a time. It need not be leapt over lin the fashion of a mythical hero. Hiking over it and overcoming the smaller obstacles on the way will get us to the other side just as surely.

copyright © Hushicho, 2005