Inner peace: what it is and 5 tips on how to attain it

This concept related to various Asian traditions is reflected in psychology.

The concept of inner peace is often used informally in all kinds of contexts. While it is an idea that is often associated with some Eastern traditions linked to Buddhism and its idea of enlightenment, there is also a secular interpretation of this phenomenon. One that can be approached from psychology leaving behind the religious connotations of the term, and that has to do with a way of living life that many people aspire to achieve.

In this article we will briefly look at what inner peace is and what we know about how to achieve it. what we know about how to achieve this state of mind..

What is inner peace?

Inner peace is a cognitive and emotional state linked to a feeling of well-being and calm, which in turn defines the way we behave. This idea has its roots in certain Eastern philosophies of life, linked to religions such as Buddhism and TaoismThis idea has its roots in certain Eastern philosophies of life, linked to religions such as Buddhism and Taoism, which are characterized by claiming the mentality of non-action.

Just as the Western mentality is characterized by the desire to transform the environment to suit human interests, in Asia a culture of denial has prevailed, of trying not to deviate from the natural ways of life. of trying not to deviate from the natural and humble ways of acting, so as not to alter the order of the world.to avoid disturbing the order of things.

Thus, inner peace in its traditional sense is a reflection of the order in which we should ideally live: an expression of the fact that we find harmony in our way of perceiving the environment and, consequently, in our way of acting and thinking. Of course, each religious tradition has defined it in its own way, but in general they all share this emphasis on non-action.

Its relationship to desire

Inner peace is sometimes misconceptualized by defining it as the absence of worry or fear, i.e., dissociating it from any negative mental disposition related to fears and anxiety. However, inner peace has not traditionally been defined as the absence of these factors with a negative emotional impact. Moreover, it is characterized by the fact that there are neither great desires nor, in general, psychological tensions that push us to act that push us to act on our environment in pursuit of a specific goal.

How to develop this psychological state of well-being

Inner peace can be associated with well-being and the feeling that there are no major conflicts to resolve in our immediate environment. With this in mind, the best measures to develop inner peace are the following.

1. Lead a healthy lifestyle

It is impossible to feel good psychologically if we lead a lifestyle that wears out our health. Therefore, it is necessary to be clear that you have to eat a healthy and balanced dietWe must exercise moderately on a regular basis, and we must sleep the corresponding hours so that, among other things, our nervous system can regenerate.

2. Solve your fundamental needs

To reach inner peace, it is necessary to have taken care of the basic needsThe first two are those that have to do with having material and constant sustenance for living: a home, food, relationships and other provisions that are vital, such as access to energy, ways to regulate the temperature in a way that we adapt to it, and so on.

For this reason, many people need to resolve their economic situation before they can consider achieving psychological well-being. Trying to reach inner peace in the midst of poverty, besides being ineffective, trivializes the importance of a minimum of materials that dignify human life.

3. Avoid unnecessary dramas

A good part of the daily concerns of human beings are totally illusory problems created by oneself. For example, the need to be liked by everyone, or to follow the career path that others expect of oneself, or the obsession to get as close as possible to the canons of beauty... Renouncing these artificially imposed goals is a liberating act that brings us closer to inner peace.

4. Reconcile yourself with your imperfections.

Perfection only exists in mathematics. Fulfillment is characterized by imperfection, and as part of it, you should not expect to fit perfectly into the molds of what is considered ideal.. Being aware that no matter how much we change we will never be totally perfect makes us more sensible and able to adapt to circumstances, but also makes us more likely to be at peace with ourselves.

5. Do not become obsessed with the idea of revenge.

Hurting those who hurt us makes us slaves of a vicious circle of attacks that sooner or later makes us focus only on the negative side of life. Forgiving and letting go of old offenses is the best way to emerge strengthened from these experiences, since it is the ultimate test of maturity. There is no point in embarking on a mission to constantly punish for the sake of doing so. just for the sake of it.