Stress Tips from the Experts

Sometimes when we feel negative stress from daily annoyances and crises, the ills of the universe pile on as well, making serenity seem impossible. Yet moving toward world peace, like diffusing a single stressful situation, begins with one step and one person: you.

According to Deepak Chopra, founder of the Chopra Center in Carlsbad, California, and one of the world’s best-selling spiritual authors, a simple but powerful meditation can enable us to maintain peace in our lives when chaos surrounds us. “By practicing peace within ourselves”, says Chopra, “we can BE the change we want to see, and it can begin with each one of us on an individual level. In fact, we can transform the world profoundly right this moment by becoming the calm amidst the chaos.”

“Breathe in deeply, relax your body, close your eyes, and take five minutes to meditate on Peace.”

“Sit quietly with your eyes closed, collapse your hands gently on your heart, and slowly move your awareness to the beating of your heart. Now effortlessly repeat, Peace, Harmony, Laughter, Love . . Peace, Harmony, Laughter, Love . . Peace, Harmony, Laughter, Love.” Allow these words to radiate from your heart’s stillness and out into your body.

“Then silently repeat to yourself, Today I will relinquish all resentments and grievances.” Bring into your mind anyone who you have a grievance against, and send that person forgiveness. Remember, every decision you make is the choice between a grievance and a miracle.

“Nature’s intelligence functions with effortless ease”, Chopra says. “It functions with carefreeness, harmony, and love. When we harness these forces, we create success and good fortune with effortless ease, because nature is held together by the energy of love. When we have acceptance about people, situations, circumstances, and events exactly as they are, we lessen our struggle and are ultimately more at peace. This is how we can bring peace into the eye of the storm and radiate calm, to lessen the anxiety in the world of which we are a part. It is a gentle, peaceful, loving way to transform the world one heart at a time.”

In his latest book, Peace is the Way (Harmony Books, 2005), Chopra expresses hope for “a global community of conscious peacemakers”. For more information visit Chopra or Peace is the way Global Community.com