Humans are curious creatures and tend to form ideas and opinions about everything. Mental concepts become solid truths or beliefs. I say "solid" because beliefs are very stubborn and difficult to move out of their prominent position within the mind, once they are identified as important. Our identity is formed out of these beliefs. What you believe is who you think you are. You might think you are a "good" person who is a conservative or a liberal. Maybe you think you are "good" because you are conservative or liberal. These common thoughts can often lead to judgments of people who do not believe similarly to you. So, therefore, the stronger your beliefs, the less flexible you are when you have disagreements. The rigidity in the mind helps to create resentment.
Resentment is like poison to the physical body. Just as resentment is cultivated from the rigidity of the mind, it is formed as rigidity in the body. The base emotion of resentment is fear. So, breaking it down like this helps us to understand better. If you are not sure if you are holding resentments in your body, do a mental scan. Many people are not aware of their pain and stiffness because it is "normal" to them. First, visualize your feet. Do they have pain now? Do they hurt in the morning when you arise? Do your feet hurt at regular other times of the day? Do your feet hurt only in Winter? Next, scan all other parts of your body in a similar way. As an example, I have regular pain in my lower back, near the sacrum. This pain is within the energy center that represents action and survival. I know that one of my challenges in this life is to trust that I am safe and all is well. Earlier in this life, I struggled for a number of years with financial survival. I may have experienced many other lifetimes of struggle as well. Guided hypnosis can address these pains and their origins, releasing the energy from the body and mind through forgiveness and self-love. The intermittent pain reminds me of this most important lesson.
Ultimately, self-reflection is the key to inner peace; knowing the tendency for the mind to grasp on to concepts, turning them into identities, fear, and pain. These concepts are not real things but they become real to us when we feel them in our bodies. Practicing mental and physical flexibility through understanding and compassion for others is the foundation of intent. Remember that your belief is only a mental concept and is not real. Pay attention to how you feel inside when you think about various issues. Do you feel positive and hopeful or angry and cynical? Reflect on how your body might be responding to these thoughts. Remember that inner peace is an inside-out job.
