Ever wonder about life, death, the world/universe, and your place within it all?
If so, you may have discovered a boost of wellbeing because of it.
Contemplation involves such actions as thoughtful thinking, reflection, awareness, and personal realizations and it poses a variety of potential health benefits such as relaxation of the nervous system and support for cardiovascular health.
But who has time to sit under a Bodhi tree for 49 days for enlightenment like the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama?
The act of contemplation doesn’t have to be planned out (although, a contemplative-type retreat can be life-changing!); creating space to encourage such thinking in everyday life can do everything from manage pain and calm the nervous system to inspire meaning in life’s ups and downs and help one find purpose and perspective.
And that…can be just what the new year needs.
How to contemplate?
There are many ways to dive deep into thoughts, here are a few for inspiration:
freewriting for 15 minutes on a question such as:
- What experiences have majorly shaped your life and why?
- What do you believe the most important thing in life is?
- How can you contribute to the world and peace within in?
- What are you grateful for?
- What legacy do you wish to leave someday?
- What purpose(s) do you have on this earth?
meditating on a word such as:
- peace
- love
- energy
- calm
- clarity
- hope
- joy
as you slowly breathe or breathe in one word and breathe out another.
reading contemplative books for deep thinking like:
The Art of Living by Thich Nhat Hanh
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
or a daily motivation/inspiration calendar or book.
mindful walking in nature to engage the senses in such things as the wind, sun, birds, trees, flowers, snow, rocks, insects, etc. while noticing physical sensations, thoughts and feelings, and energy within the mind and body.
observing, dreaming, and listening. Rather than seeking technology when bored, take note of the surrounding sounds, smells, and sights in that line at the store, while waiting for a flight, or sitting in the car waiting for children to get out of school. Let the mind wander and get imaginative; be your own entertainment.
In addition, practicing yoga, tai chi, and qigong, listening to music, growing a garden, and even engaging in a hobby can free a busy mind and open up perspective to the wonders of the world and how to enjoy living amongst it all.
If you find it difficult to let go of stress, anxiety, worry, fear, etc. in order to open the mind to contemplation, naturopathic medicine may be able to help calm the nervous system and encourage such thought.
Please call us at (303) 688-6698 or click here to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation with Dr. Graves to find out more.
The CNMA office provides naturopathic care, acupuncture, testing, massage, and holistic counseling to those in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Centennial, Parker, Larkspur, Monument, Colorado Springs, and the greater Denver metro area. For those outside of these areas, virtual appointments are available.
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