The path to Tranquility (spring)
62. Mental balance leads to health
In the ever-changing challenges of modern life, mental balance is not only a spiritual need, but also an important foundation for maintaining physical health. When we are in a state of psychological balance, we are able to respond to emotional fluctuations with calm and clear thinking, effectively solve various problems in life, and significantly reduce the risk of physical illness caused by stress and anxiety.
Being in a state of psychological imbalance for a long time can easily cause harm to our body: excessive secretion of stress hormones can disrupt the internal harmony of the body and cause short-term symptoms such as insomnia, stomach pain, and fatigue. If things go on like this for a long time, it may cause cardiovascular disease, immune system disease, diabetes, etc.
Maintaining mental balance is like paving a healthy road for the body. However, the key to this path lies in how we face the entanglement of instincts, emotions and habits. It is these entanglements that keep our hearts in a state of turmoil. Therefore, an important manifestation of psychological balance is to practice "selflessness".
The "selflessness" here does not mean completely denying the existence of the self, but rather acknowledging the illusion of the self and consciously removing the false self that stems from fear and social expectations, thereby liberating the true self. The false self relies on desires and calculations, and is accustomed to living in anxiety and uneasiness. Whether it's the pursuit of flawless perfection or trying to manipulate every detail to seek a sense of security, this habit often makes people physically and mentally exhausted. For example, some people always want to be in control of everything at work, which results in a lot of pressure, which ultimately affects their work efficiency and health; similarly, in family education, parents' excessive intervention in their children's future will often only arouse their children's rebellious psychology and make themselves feel powerless.
The false self is rooted in calculation and control. It tricks us into thinking that everything can be accurately predicted and scheduled, but the reality of relationships and emotions cannot be quantified in this way. When we rely on this desire for control, we not only fail to grasp future variables, but are also more likely to fall into anxiety and loss, further destroying our psychological balance.
In stark contrast to the false self is the true consciousness deep within us, which is our real self. The true self does not want to be manipulated or calculated by the outside world, but instead desires to establish a deep connection with the outside world and pursue true understanding and mutual care. When we open our hearts and accept everything in life, our true self will emerge. In this way, whether it is the support of parents to their children, the tolerance between partners, or the companionship between friends, we can gain great emotional and spiritual nourishment. True love symbolizes pure kindness. It not only provides us with social support, but also helps to enhance psychological resilience and happiness, and reduce anxiety and depression.
On the contrary, the false self’s indifference to life and rejection of love often traps us in a vicious cycle of control and obsession. Excessive pursuit of career or other external achievements while neglecting emotional communication will eventually make us numb, even breed hatred and cause mental illness, thus endangering our overall health. It can be seen that the false self is not only an obstacle to growth, but may even become the opposite of our lives.
Therefore, to achieve psychological balance, we must first learn to let go of our false self. Interact with the world sincerely, focus on our inner feelings, and don't let our emotions and thoughts be affected by things that are not beneficial to life. This requires us to be alert to the emergence of emotions in our daily lives and to quickly identify and interrupt habitual reactions. When we feel anxious, we can use methods such as deep breathing and mindfulness meditation to bring our attention back to the real physical sensations and stabilize our inner fluctuations. These simple techniques are important steps toward breaking free from the constraints of the self and moving toward a state of "selflessness".
On the other hand, we also need to analyze ourselves: analyze our instincts, emotions, and accumulated habits, and recognize those needs that are truly beneficial to life. If we find that we lack emotional expression, we can try to participate in more social or charity activities to cultivate empathy and a sense of connection; if we lack rationality, we might as well improve our self-awareness and critical thinking by reading psychology books, attending seminars, etc.; if we are too addicted to certain habits, we need to try to replace them with conscious actions, so as to gradually establish healthy behavior patterns. Ultimately, breaking all habits and living consciously is the true "selflessness".
True self-awareness is the ability to blend rich emotions with clear rationality, thus ensuring our psychological balance. When faced with challenges in life, we can analyze problems with calm rationality and communicate with others with sincere emotions. This makes it easier for us to make comprehensive, mature decisions and protect our true interests. By letting go of our false self and refocusing our attention on real life, our real needs will be more easily met. This not only allows us to have a healthy body and mind, but also allows us to find the value of life in love and connection.
It can be seen that psychological balance is not only a manifestation of physical and mental health, but also the only way to personal growth and inner sublimation. By practicing "selflessness", rediscovering our inner true self, and cultivating and expressing love in our daily lives, we can achieve a harmonious unity of emotion and rationality, and thus embark on the path of a healthy, happy, and free life.
