There’s more to Eastern philosophy than monks sitting in a lotus position and chanting.
We all want to find ways to improve our lives. But sometimes it’s tough to know where to start.
If you’re looking for a way to jump-start your personal growth, Eastern philosophy may be just what you need.
When most people think of Eastern philosophy, they picture monks sitting in a lotus position and chanting.
And there’s some truth to that stereotype.
But the East is also home to a vast and diverse range of philosophical thought.
Just think about it: Eastern philosophy includes philosophies from East and South Asia like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese philosophies. And it also encompasses Indian philosophies like Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist philosophies, dominant in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet, and Mongolia.
And they all can offer us tremendous insight into how to live a better life.
Here are seven Eastern philosophy concepts to apply in your daily life for a more fulfilling and meaningful life:
1. The Power of Now
One of the most fundamental ideas in Eastern philosophy is that of living in the present moment. It’s not about forgetting our past or future. But about focusing our attention on the here and now. By living in the present, we can more fully appreciate the beauty of life and all it has to offer.
The past is history, the future is a mystery, and the present is a gift.
This proverb is often attributed to the Chinese philosopher Laozi, and it contains a lot of truth. It can be too easy to dwell on the past or worry about the future. But if we want to live a rich and fulfilling life, it’s important to focus on the present moment. After all, the only time we can ever really experience life is in the here and now. When we’re caught up in thinking about what has happened or what might happen, we’re not really living.
True happiness comes from savoring the simple joys of life: the warmth of a sunny day, the taste of a delicious meal, and the laughter of loved ones.
So next time you find your mind wandering, take a deep breath and bring your attention back to the present moment. You’ll be glad you did.
2. The Importance of Balance
The idea of interconnection is at the heart of East Asian philosophy. The belief is that everything in the universe is interconnected and interdependent. This means every action we take affects everything else. As a result, it’s essential to maintain a sense of balance in our lives.
Balance is crucial for both our physical and mental health.
When balanced, we function at our best.
We think clearly, make decisions easily, and relate to others effectively. Our physical health also benefits from balance. When in balance, our bodies can heal better and protect themselves from disease.
But if we become too focused on one thing, it leads to problems in other areas.
For example, if we neglect our health, it leads to illness. Or if we become too obsessed with our work, it ends up in relationship problems. By maintaining a sense of balance, we ensure that all areas of our lives get the attention they deserve. This leads to a more holistic and harmonious existence.
Zhenya Zerkalenkov
3. The Wisdom of Letting Go
One of the most difficult things to do in life is to let go of attachments. The idea of letting go is a central tenant of many Eastern philosophies, and it’s something I have found to be incredibly wise. In particular, they emphasize the importance of detachment from material possessions.
The thinking is that attachment to things leads to feelings of jealousy, resentment, and greed. Instead, one should focus on inner happiness and contentment.
However, it’s not only about material possessions. Whether it’s an attachment to a person, a possession, or an idea, the basic premise is that we can’t control everything. Trying to do so and holding on too tightly only creates pain and suffering.
Rather than fighting against the things we can’t change, we should learn to accept them and move on.
This can be hard. But it’s ultimately liberating. We free ourselves from the past and open up to new possibilities by letting go. In letting go, we can find freedom and wisdom because we focus on what truly matters in life and find true happiness from within.
You might also like this: How To Let Go of Negative Thought Patterns (and Create a Better Life)
4. The Calmness of Meditation
In East Asian philosophies, meditation is often considered an essential tool for spiritual growth. The practice of meditation helps to still the mind, unify the body and breath, and open up a connection to the deeper levels of consciousness. In addition, meditation helps develop focus and concentration, qualities that are essential for spiritual progress.
For many people, the practice of meditation provides a sense of peace and calm that can be difficult to find in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Besides that, meditation has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including reducing stress levels and improving overall well-being. For these reasons, meditation is often seen as an important part of Eastern spiritual traditions.
By taking the time to meditate regularly, you can develop a greater sense of balance, peace, and well-being in your life.
It can also support you develop a better understanding of yourself and the world around you. If you’re looking for a way to improve your life, both spiritually and physically, then meditation is worth trying.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t even need to meditate for 2 hours or more without a break.
In our always-moving world, 10 minutes of stillness already have an unbelievable impact on our minds. Meditation is a tool that anyone can use to improve their life, no matter where they are in the world. It’s an easy way to stay connected with yourself while being more in tune with your surroundings stress levels.
5. The Significance of Detachment
Eastern philosophies believe attachment to things is the root of all suffering and detachment is often seen as a virtue. Because by detachment from the material world, we can be freed from the cycle of suffering and achieve a state of inner peace.
The concept of detachment is also closely linked to the idea of non-attachment. That belief states that attachment to things causes suffering because it leads to a false sense of self. When we’re attached to things, we become bound to the idea of having them. And this can end in disappointment and misery when we lose them.
If we detach ourselves from the things we own, we will no longer suffer when they’re taken away.
This doesn’t mean we should become indifferent to the world around us and stop caring about the people and things in our lives. But that we shouldn’t be controlled by our attachments and be bound to things that are ultimately transient.
We should be able to enjoy the good times without attachment and be prepared for the bad times without attachment.
In this way, we can live our lives in balance and harmony.
This quest for detachment can also be seen as a way to break free from the ego. By detaching from the things we typically identify with (e.g., our possessions or achievements), we can begin to see ourselves differently. We can start to see that we’re not our bodies or our minds, but something much greater. When we realize this, we can start to live more authentically.
We can let go of our attachment to the material world and focus on what truly matters.
6. The Force of Compassion
In many Eastern philosophies, compassion is seen as a powerful force that can help to heal the world and transform lives.
Buddha taught that compassion for all beings is essential for achieving enlightenment, and the Hindu goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati are both associated with compassion. In addition, the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is a popular figure in Mahayana Buddhism and is often invoked for his ability to ease suffering.
The ideal of compassion is also found in Confucianism, where it’s considered one of the most important virtues. For Confucius, compassion was not simply about feeling sorry for others. But about taking action to help them. By extension, he believed that a ruler who lacked compassion would be unable to rule effectively.
In all of these philosophies, compassion is seen as a vital quality that can help to bring about positive change in the world.
The belief is that by feeling compassion for others, we open ourselves up to the potential for change and growth.
Compassion is seen as a way to connect with others and create a sense of shared understanding. It’s also seen as a way to develop our inner strength and capacity for compassion. By cultivating compassion, we can create a more compassionate world. Research has also shown that compassionate people are more likely to help others in need and to experience greater happiness and satisfaction in their own lives.
In other words, compassion is not only good for others, but it’s also suitable for ourselves.
7. The Impact of Simplicity
In a world that is constantly moving and changing, it can be easy to get caught up in the complexity of everyday life. It’s challenging to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life. But in a complicated and uncertain world, simplicity is a powerful tool to help us find our way. A life filled with clutter and excess is hard to manage and can lead to frustration and overwhelm.
When you simplify your life, you make space for what is meaningful and focus on the present moment. This allows you to live a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
Additionally, simplicity has an impact on your relationships. When you’re not bogged down, for example, by material possessions, you can relate to others more authentically. You can also concentrate on connection and compassion instead of competition and comparison. Eastern philosophies believe true wisdom comes from simplicity and literally everybody can benefit from it.
This doesn’t mean we should all live like monks in isolated caves, though!
It means taking the time to appreciate the things that are truly important and letting go of the rest.
Interconnectedness
Maybe you’ve already noticed it: all these principles are interconnected. They work together and sometimes contain each other to create a life of balance, peace, and happiness.
We can’t change the past, but we can learn from it and use that knowledge to make better decisions in the present for a better future.
By following these seven ideas from Eastern philosophy, you can start to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. You can find true happiness from within, rather than from external sources. And you can learn to better appreciate the simple beauty of life.
Thanks for reading and I hope you’ll consider trying out some of these concepts to see if they bring more joy into your life. In the end, what do you have to lose? As they say:
The only way to fail is to not try at all.
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