A lot of rituals and traditions from Eastern cultures are designed to help humans achieve a state of peace and awareness in the present moment. This state is familiarly known as Zen or a Zen state of mind. It may seem like an easy thing to do – to be peaceful in the present moment, regardless of the situation – but it can be very challenging.
This is why a lot of rituals and traditions are there to help. These rituals are very common and easy to follow. Behind the simple rituals, however, there are enlightenments waiting to be discovered.
Japanese Tea Ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony is a fantastic ritual to learn and practice for two reasons. First, it is a ritual that strengthens social interaction. Through the practice of this tradition, you can learn about humility and self-control, along with the ability to always position yourself correctly in front of others. In life, these are valuable skills to have.
The second reason why the Japanese tea ceremony is a tradition you must try is its impact on the brain. Throughout the ritual, both sides of the brain are stimulated. Combined with the aroma of the tea and the long list of health benefits it brings, the ceremony is a tradition that you should incorporate into your life.
Yoga and Meditation
A friend of mine described meditation perfectly the other day. Imagine you are sitting in a room with a lot of televisions or radios switched on. On one corner of the room, there’s a person whispering important lessons to you. The only way you can hear the whispers is by turning the radios and TVs off; in other words, by tuning them out.
This is exactly how meditation works. It is a process of tuning out noises. That person on the other end of the room – the one whispering – is yourself, or your conscious. Through the practice of Yoga and meditation, you will improve your ability to listen to yourself and understand what it is like to be at peace in the present moment.
Self-awareness is another thing that can be developed through meditation. Self-awareness is just as important as self-confidence. The trait enables you to assess your strengths and weaknesses, giving you a better understanding of yourself in the process.
The Power of Compassion
This last tradition is one that has been the core of Buddhism: cultivating compassion. The Dalai Lama himself said that expressing compassion towards others will help us to understand the true nature of our existence and discover a deep sense of peace and happiness. It is also strongly connected to other parts of Buddhism, including karma.
It doesn’t take much to show compassion to others. While it may take a little practice to become sensitive enough to the needs and feelings of those around you, but getting started is as simple as being nice to everyone around you. After a while, you’ll start understanding the real power of compassion better.
All of these traditions are more than just rituals or teachings. They can have a positive impact on our lives. Get started, incorporate these traditions, and start experiencing the changes yourself in no time.
Originally posted on May 18, 2017 @ 3:36 am
