Mental Wellbeing

I have always been drawn to self help books, attracted to the idea that they would provide answers to some of life’s harder questions.

The first book I remember coming across was A Guide to the Advanced Soul. The premise of this book was that you hold a problem in your head and open the book to a quote that would give you guidance. At 13, I would think of an issue and keep opening up the pages until I found a quote I liked.

I still remember one that I didn’t understand or like at the time.

“Before enlightenment chopping wood fetching water. After enlightenment chopping wood fetching water.”

These simple words were meant to illustrate the reality of life. The idea, that despite moments of bliss and awakening we still have to do the routine things to function at humans. We don’t just one day figure it all out, or read all the answers in a book!

Now, I love this quote so much. As humans, we add a huge component to our suffering when we judge it. When we feel as though we shouldn’t have to learn the same lesson again. I have observed that often the biggest upsets occur when we think that once a problem is solved, or that once we overcome a difficult time in our lives, it will be over. We won’t have to deal with these unpleasant emotions again. Accepting that life is not something we solve but continually learn from is crucial for self acceptance.

I think it is helpful to continually remind ourselves of the importance of being human.

Below are a number of resources that may help to do this.

Authors/Teachers

Tara Brach

Meditation teacher. Tara has a number of excellent podcasts, books and meditations.She often refers to an anxiety management technique called R.A.I.N. (Recognise, Allow,Investigate,Nurture)

https://www.tarabrach.com/

Podcasts- below are some Tara Brach podcasts that I have found particularly inspiring:

Transforming two fears

https://www.tarabrach.com/transforming-two-fears/

The four remembrances

https://www.tarabrach.com/four-remembrances-2/

True resilience

https://www.tarabrach.com/true-resilience-part-1/

https://www.tarabrach.com/true-resilience-part-2/

Books

Radical Compassion. Learning to love yourself and your world Tara Brach

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/45358321-radical-compassion