Four monks decided to meditate silently without speaking for two weeks. They lit a candle as a symbol of their practice and began. By nightfall on the first day, the candle flickered and then went out.

The first monk said: “Oh, no! The candle is out.”

The second monk said: “We’re not supposed to talk!”

The third monk said: “Why must you two break the silence?”

The fourth monk laughed and said: “Ha! I’m the only one who didn’t speak.”

They all had different reasons, but each of the four monks shared his thoughts without filtering them — none of which improved the situation. Had there been a fifth, wiser monk, he would’ve remained silent and kept meditating.

This way, he would’ve pointed out their mistakes without a single word. Without breaking his own quest for better. Done long enough, talking inevitably leads to embarrassing yourself. Listening leads to learning.

The less you speak, the smarter you get. And, maybe not quite coincidentally, the smarter you get, the less you speak.

5 Day Mental Health Challenge

With millions of Americans experiencing increased feelings of stress, anxiety, and overwhelm, self-care and mental health awareness are more important now than ever. With that said, knowing how to best take care of yourself isn’t always easy, especially when time, energy, and resources are lacking (or non-existent). So, instead of letting your mental health challenge you, we’re helping you challenge those emotions and take back control. How you ask? With a 5 Day Mental Wellness Challenge! Because who doesn’t love a challenge?

Day #1: Make a Nutrient-Dense Breakfast (In 5-Minutes or Less)

Starting the day with a nutritious breakfast could help improve your mental health. In fact, fueling your body with a healthy breakfast meal has been demonstrated to promote a healthier lifestyle!

So start your day with a mood-boosting breakfast! To save time and stress, prepare it the night before, such as overnight oats or chia seed pudding.

Day #2: Declutter One Drawer in Your House

Think about how you feel when your space is clean and orderly. Less stressed, perhaps? More in control? There’s a reason you’re feeling this way! According to study, a cluttered, chaotic atmosphere can result in a scattered and distracted mind, as well as emotions of anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem.

Day #3: Do a (Five-Minute) Meditation

Even on the busiest of days, everyone has five minutes to spare! A five-minute  meditation can help you improve your mental health and reduce stress. Yes, a few minutes are all you need! According to studies, even five minutes of meditation can lower tension and anxiety while also improving self-esteem.

Day #4: Take Your Morning Coffee Outdoors

Exposure to sunshine early thing in the morning can help regulate your circadian cycle, improve your mood, and enhance your vitality. Make this the first thing you do before picking up your phone or glancing at your electronics! Take your coffee outside and enjoy it with a side of Vitamin D! As part of today’s mental health challenge, set your alarm five minutes earlier and enjoy your first cup of coffee in the early sunshine. Sunlight has been demonstrated to enhance serotonin, also known as “the happy hormone.”

Day #5: Unfollow Negative Social Media Accounts

What begins as a simple stroll through social media may quickly devolve into a black hole of comparison, self-judgment, and low self-esteem. At worst, the highlight reel on social media can trigger anxiety and sadness. Use this mental health challenge to unfollow any accounts that make you feel less than you deserve.

What is Thunderbolt Pose?

Thunderbolt pose, or vajrasana, is an important beginner’s meditation posture. With the legs folded under the sit bones, the back is effortlessly straightened.

Instructions

Kneel with your knees together.Sit back on your heels with an exhale, allowing your toes to touch and heels to widen.Rest your palms on your thighs.Close your eyes and breathe while holding the pose.

Top Essential Oils for Stress Relief

Some of the most well-loved essential oils for stress relief include:

Lavender: Known for calming and relaxing properties, lavender oil can help reduce anxiety and promote better sleep. Bergamot: This citrusy oil can reduce stress and enhance mood. Chamomile: This calming essential oil helps quell anxiety and promotes relaxation. Ylang-Ylang: The floral oil ylang-ylang can reduce stress and encourage relaxation. Frankincense: Frankincense oil has been used for centuries to induce relaxation and as an effective way to manage stress.

“I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can’t make it through one door, I’ll go through another door – or I’ll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present.“

Have you ever felt utterly alone in a seemingly meaningless universe? A sense of emptiness, a loss of direction, and a fading hope can leave us feeling adrift. If this resonates, you might be traversing what’s known as the “dark night of the soul.”

The dark night of the soul is a transformative, albeit challenging, phase of personal growth. It’s a period where individuals experience a profound shift in their understanding of life and their place within it. This newfound awareness often necessitates a painful shedding of outdated beliefs and frameworks that once provided a sense of meaning and purpose.

While the term itself might sound enigmatic, the experience is far from uncommon. It echoes across various disciplines – religion, mythology, and psychology – each offering its unique interpretation.

In psychology, we encounter related concepts like the “existential crisis,” where individuals grapple with questions of meaning and purpose. Similarly, certain forms of depression can mirror the feelings of emptiness and despair associated with the dark night.

Other parallels can be found in shamanic traditions, where the notion of “soul loss” or the “descent to the underworld” describes a journey into the depths of one’s being. In Greek mythology, we have the concept of “katabasis,” a hero’s journey into the underworld, often symbolizing a transformative ordeal.

The term “dark night of the soul” itself stems from the writings of the 16th-century mystic, St. John of the Cross. In his untitled poem, he eloquently portrays the anguish of feeling separated from the divine during his imprisonment.