In My Mind’s Zen Garden

Be the change you want to see in the world. —Mahatma Gandhi

I was contemplating the above quote and sort of meditating on the essence of its meaning.

Ultimately, I understand it to mean that the world around me is what I have made it to be within my mind. That my perceptions of the world IS what I make of it, and that I am responsible in regards to my perceptions of the world and how I respond or react to the stimuli coming from that world.

I’ve come to realize that whatever yoga and meditation I do has a profound effect on how I perceive the world. After practicing yoga and meditation I am calm and serene. And the world transforms around me and has become more vibrant, peaceful and my mind’s view of the world has changed.

I guess there are things in this world I have no control over… things that I can not change, but I can change the way I perceive everything around me. And I can change the way I react to everything as well. In reality, we can’t help but be a part of this unfolding universe. We can’t really keep ourselves from becoming a part of it, because we are at one with it. But at the same time our universe lies outside and within. And we ultimately make it what it is.

All that we are is the result of what we have thought.
—-Buddha

In essence, if I am struggling in life, then that is how I perceive my life to be at that moment. If I feel I am being mistreated then that is how I am reacting to a given situation in life. Ultimately, a way to a more peaceful and improved existence is to simply change the way we view the world, and how we react to it.

What is stress? We could say that stress is the effect this world has on our psyche, our spirit… our mind and body. But the key to overcoming stress and the obstacles and challenges we face in life, is to change the way we react and respond to them.

So, one way to do this is to change our minds… how we react… and how we respond. We seem to have a way of reacting to outside stimuli. We just have to change the way we respond and react. And maybe…. just don’t react.

Control our minds in that respect.

Anyway, it’s easier said than done, because we are beings with emotions and we tend to react in such a way. But at the same time, the mind is a powerful thing and collectively humans have had the power to build so many wonderful things, and at the same time had the power to destroy them.

The mind can be powerful. And we can change the world. But it is up to us to change it within ourselves.

At least that is how I understand Gandhi’s words. That many times we look to change people, things, etc… outside of us… when the change should take place from within…..