By Lachlan Brown
Staying calm when life gets tough can feel like trying to keep a boat steady in a storm. But I’ve found that Buddhist teachings can be an anchor in such times.
Hi, I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder of Hack Spirit and a mindfulness enthusiast. In my journey, I’ve discovered that Buddhism offers potent lessons that can help us maintain our calm, even when life is hard.
Buddhism doesn’t shy away from acknowledging life’s challenges. Instead, it provides practical wisdom to navigate these rough waters with grace and serenity.
In this article, I’m excited to share with you 9 Buddhist lessons that have personally helped me stay centred during tough times. These are not quick fixes but profound insights that can change your perspective and empower you to face life’s difficulties with a calm mind.
1) Embrace impermanence
Life is like a river, always flowing and changing. It’s a fundamental truth that everything in our lives is transient.
And yet, we often resist change. We cling to things as they are, fostering anxiety and stress when life inevitably shifts.
Buddhism teaches the concept of “anicca” or impermanence. It encourages us to accept and embrace the inevitability of change.
Think about it. The only constant in life is change itself. When we truly internalise this, we can let go of our attachment to things remaining the same. This, in turn, reduces our stress and anxiety.
When life throws a curveball your way, remember the Buddhist lesson of impermanence. Instead of resisting change, flow with it. Embrace it. Accept that change is a natural part of life.
Accepting doesn’t mean being passive. It means understanding that change is inevitable and adapting ourselves to it with grace and resilience.
This shift in perspective can be truly liberating and can help us remain calm even when life is hard.
2) Practice mindfulness
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Buddhism, it’s the power of mindfulness.
Mindfulness is about being fully present and engaged in the here and now. It’s about experiencing this moment as it is, without getting lost in the past or worrying about the future.
I remember a time when I was stressed over a project deadline. My mind was racing with worries about what would happen if I didn’t finish on time. I was anxious, distracted, and unable to focus.
Then I remembered the Buddhist lesson of mindfulness. I took a moment to just breathe, to bring my attention back to the present moment. Instead of fretting over future outcomes, I focused on what I could do right now.
And you know what? It worked. My anxiety eased, and I was able to concentrate on my work again.
Mindfulness doesn’t mean that we ignore our problems or feelings. It simply means we acknowledge them without letting them consume us.
By practicing mindfulness, we can cultivate a sense of calm and clarity even in the midst of life’s storms.
3) Develop compassion
Compassion is at the heart of Buddhism. It’s about recognising the suffering of others and wanting to alleviate it.
But did you know, compassion isn’t just beneficial for those we empathise with? It also has a profound effect on our own wellbeing.
Research has shown that practicing compassion can reduce stress levels, boost our immune system, and even increase our lifespan. It’s like a two-way street: we help others and, in turn, help ourselves.
Developing compassion allows us to connect with others on a deeper level. It fosters understanding and empathy, helping us navigate through conflicts and misunderstandings with grace.
When you encounter someone who is suffering, remember the Buddhist lesson of compassion. Not only will you be helping them, but you’ll also be promoting your own peace of mind and wellbeing.
4) Cultivate detachment
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to get caught up in the drama. We attach ourselves to outcomes, people, and possessions, often leading to unnecessary stress and disappointment.
Buddhism teaches us the value of detachment, not as a means of avoiding life, but as a tool to live fully without undue attachment to transient things.
In my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve into the concept of non-attachment. It’s about finding balance in life and understanding that clinging too tightly to anything can lead to suffering.
The idea is not to renounce the world and its pleasures but to enjoy them without becoming dependent on them for our happiness.
When we cultivate detachment, we can enjoy life’s joys without becoming enslaved by them and handle life’s trials without being overwhelmed by them.
This Buddhist lesson can be a powerful tool for maintaining calm and balance in the face of life’s ups and downs.
5) Embrace the middle way
There was a time in my life when I was consumed by extremes. If I wasn’t working relentlessly, I felt guilty for being unproductive. If I wasn’t constantly socialising, I felt like I was missing out.
It was exhausting and, frankly, unfulfilling.
That’s when I discovered the Buddhist principle of the Middle Way. It’s about finding a balance between indulgence and deprivation, between doing too much and doing too little.
I started to apply this principle to my own life. Instead of pushing myself to work until exhaustion, I began to balance my time between work, rest, and recreation. Instead of feeling pressured to always be “on”, I gave myself permission to enjoy quiet moments of solitude.
Lachlan Brown is the founder, and editor of Hack Spirit. Lachlan is a renowned expert in mindfulness, relationships, and personal development.
This article first appeared on the HackSpirit website.