inner peace

Discovering An Inner Perspective: healing within

by Barry Bittman, MD

There’s no doubt life in our fast-paced society has its challenges.

For most, it seems to be progressively more difficult keeping up with the demands of our lifestyle. The complexity that has evolved over the last century has brought with it burdens and stresses that directly affect our health and well-being. The problem, however, is the failure to recognize what we are doing to ourselves. Caught up in the whirlwind of our existence, we have lost perspective of what we are striving for and its impact on us.

How did we lose perspective? I suppose it’s best exemplified through simple planetary observations in physics. While the ground beneath our feet appears rock-solid and the clouds seem to be moving ever so slowly, our planet is not only racing though space around a massive fireball called the sun, it is also rapidly rotating on its own axis. Yet standing on the surface, we’d swear we were still.

In a similar manner, when one grows up in an environment with ongoing stresses, pressures, trials and tribulations, everything seems “normal.” When I interviewed best-selling author Wayne Dyer, PhD a few months ago, I asked about what led to his success. He recounted his childhood memories of growing up in an orphanage and how he became interested in writing. When I questioned him about the adversity of his early years without parents, he noted that orphans don’t wake up each day thinking about not having parents or blaming the world for their plight. It generally doesn’t become an issue until one starts searching for answers to explain dissatisfaction with their predicament 40 or so years later.

As a physician dedicated to “whole person” care, I have frequently observed
“dis-ease” as a reflection of the stresses and pressures consistent with the way people live. From an outside perspective, it’s also been obvious that lack of a healthy perspective often contributes to what has been termed “learned helplessness.” Caught up in the whirlwind of their existences, many people tend to settle for being victims. Often, it is the only perspective that ever surfaces¾ one that eventually leads to illness.

I often wonder about going back in time and sharing the knowledge we have today. How I could explain the movement of the earth to a shepherd two thousand years ago? My diagrams and arguments would do little to sway a person who lived on terra firma his entire life. Even if I could instill the slightest doubt, the villagers would certainly find me crazy.

Yet, if the rotation of the earth could be slowed or even stopped for just a few brief seconds, the truth would become immediately apparent to the shepherd. That sudden deceleration, as brief as it might be, would change everything.

In a similar manner, when one stops for a moment and looks within, a new and healthier perspective emerges. When we journey inside ourselves, we tend to observe things in another light. We begin to see ourselves more clearly, to recognize what we are doing to ourselves, and to piece together seemingly unconnected fragments of our existence. It gives us an opportunity to explore who we are and where we are going. Self-reflection also empowers us to make changes that are conducive to healing.

So how can we go about developing this new perspective?

Why not consider building some quiet time into your busy schedule each week. A half hour every few days might seem like an enormous commitment initially. Yet, less television, or getting up a half hour earlier on occasion might certainly work for you.

Find a quiet spot¾ away from telephones and distractions. While in a comfortable position, close your eyes and open your mind. Focus on a thought or a prayer and settle into peaceful contemplation while maintaining slow, easy, deep breaths. Refocus your attention whenever your mind wanders and trust your inner voice.

If sitting in one place doesn’t suit your needs, consider walking in the forest, or gazing at a brook. Remember, you must gently move yourself away from your fears and pressures, while returning to your breathing and your chosen focus. As you settle into a deep and peaceful state, reflect on your meaning and purpose in life and know that you are never alone. The answers are always within your reach.

As a beacon of light, your inner perspective will help guide your decisions. It will also transform an attitude of learned helplessness into personal strength and understanding¾ Mind Over Matter!