“Nirvana” pronounced (near-vah-ha) is a word originating from the religions of Buddhism and Hinduism, and refers to the state of absolute spiritual enlightenment and bliss.

Somewhat of a mystical place for most, it surely conjures up in the mind a vision of somewhere wholly peaceful and pleasureable, a unique place, special to each of us in so many ways.

So, where do we find this much talked about place, where we can escape the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

Fact or fiction, its certainly not a place you can get up and go and visit, although there are some inspiring and relaxing  places that you can.

In essence, what we are really looking for is purely in the realms of the mind - a semi spiritual haven - where we can mentally and emotionally feel safe and secure, and allow our minds to find their natural balance.

Finding your nirvana, essentially then is finding your own inner space,where complete mental and physical relaxation is possible.

The benefical effects of deep relaxation are numerous, and are well documented in whatever field of health and wellbeing you study.

Key benefits of Relaxation in brief

• First and foremost is the endorphin release - which are the feel good chemicals that can be released by the brain when relaxing.
• It allows your breathing to return to normal, which helps recharge your batteries and gain renewed vigor.
• Relaxation helps relieve tension build up, and enables you to regain your composure.
• Can ease those nagging aches and pains, which we all seem to suffer from time to time.

In short, your ability to totally relax is something  really worthwhile developing, and I cannot stress this enough.

I believe the correct mental approach is essential, when trying to access your inner calm. The thought of it being an extremely positive and rewarding experience should be reinforced mentally, every time you settle into relaxation.

You can effectively relax almost anywhere you please, but paying attention to your surroundings helps a great deal.

Some better Relaxation pointers

• Correct mental approach - Refresh those positive, feel good thoughts before you settle.
• The right music is a great mood enhancer - find your taste, choose carefully, and make your relaxation even more enjoyable and rewarding.
• Somewhere relatively quiet and free from any annoying irritations would be prefered.
• In between meals is the ideal time.
• Some of the yoga “asanas” are great postures to develop, to aid your personal relaxation experience.

To conclude,”anything”we try to do, not just relaxation is a lot more likely to succeed, if its approached with the right mental approach and feeling.

“nirvana” happy hunting,

Rob

Photo by Madeira

In talking to lots of people about Personal Development over the years, I’ve found that almost everyone has different aims and dreams for what they wish to achieve from their pursuit of personal growth.

In considering our own particular desires, many of us have imagined that one perfect idea - something we want to find or discover or learn, or a change we want to bring about in our lives…

I like to think of this as a personal “Holy Grail” - that magical objective that once achieved will transform our lives.

Understanding “Holy Grails”

According to Christian mythology, the Holy Grail was the dish, plate, or cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, said to possess miraculous powers. (Source wikipedia).

After many years of research, and many conversations with fellow personal growth enthusiasts - I have come to believe that a great deal of people who pursue personal growth have some inner concept - a belief in an idea or tool - that once attained will be the catalyst for all the changes that we desire.

Productivity zealots may be seeking that one perfect technique to get everything done that they want to.

People striving to lose weight may be constantly looking for a brand new diet trick that will help them shed pounds effortlessly.

Procrastinators could be hoping for some secret motivational trick that will obliterate the tendency to put things off and will get them producing successfully every day.

When considering my own “Holy Grail”, I realized that for years I had been obsessed with finding the perfect “life management” system - Some incredibly simple paradigm that would help me work towards my goals, get things done every day and achieve massive public and financial success.

To this end, I studied Stephen Covey, Tony Robbins and GTD in all it’s forms - I created and redesigned countless different iterations of my daily workflow system - I tweaked and changed my goals every day to make sure they were written in the right way (I don’t know what my criteria were for the “perfect” goal, but I never reached them).

Eventually, I came to realize one simple truth…

Holy Grails don’t exist…

Yup. Absolutely true… They don’t exist (well, Jesus’ might). Sorry.

No matter what it is you think is out there - be it a book, an idea, a tool, a technique, or a person - There is no ultimate idea which is going to change your life completely in the way you want.

By pinning your chances for success upon some imaginary ideal solution, you are either consciously or subconsciously reinforcing the fear that you are not enough - that you and your life will only be alright when you have obtained this solution.

I don’t like being ornery and controversial (much), but there is only one thing that can revolutionize your life to that degree - a conscious willingness to change.

Whatever it is you think you need to find - stop looking, it ain’t out there. Instead, take a good look around at all the fabulous things in your life right now. The people you love, the place you live in, the things around you. Make a firm commitment to accept and value your situation as it currently is, not how you wish it to be.

Once you start to accept your life the way it is, you stop fighting against it. When you consciously acknowledge what is, rather than what you wish for, you can find peace. Then you can begin to create the changes you desire for yourself from a place of power, rather than a place of fear.