How to strengthen our capacity for wisdom, peace and enlightenment
By Grace Kim, Resident in Counseling
We are certainly living in a strange time. There is a lot that is uncertain and a lot that is unknown. It can be hard to manage the emotional challenges of being in quarantine amidst an uncertain future. We can’t rely on some of our normal ways of coping, such as going out with friends. This means many of us are falling back on the mental and emotional habits that we’ve been building up for years.
The good news is, our mind is resilient. Through this COVID-19 crisis, we are reminded of how important it is to nurture and strengthen our emotional well being. “Neurodharma” written by Psychologist and neuroscience expert Rick Hanson examines the seven qualities that people can develop for increased well being and wisdom.
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Steady your mind – this will increase mindfulness, focus, stability and steady your feet on solid ground.
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Warm the heart – this will bring forth compassion, kindness and a courageous heart into your life.
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Rest in fullness or equanimity – this will bring a sense of calm strength and feeling like having enough already.
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Feel whole and not at war with parts of yourself.
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Receive “nowness” – living in the present, not getting lost in the past or the future.
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Open to “allness” – feeling like we’re connected to everything, to take things less personally, be less identified with things, less possessive and less reactive with other people.
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Find “timelessness” – a state of being “unconditioned”, a more reliable basis for lasting happiness and inner peace.
These are ways we can achieve through practice and through experiencing them, we can turn those experiences into lasting changes in the brain. They are accessible to all of us. There are a lot of people who practice meditation and a little gratitude here and there, and that’s good. But they have hit a sort of plateau, where they’re comfortable and content. If you are interested in taking the next steps to develop a deeper sense of awareness and understanding, take those next steps and develop these seven qualities to achieve the ultimate ground of well being.
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About Grace Kim:
Grace is a Resident in Counseling at Healthy Minds Therapy providing services at the Woodbridge Virginia location. Grace is a Qualified Mental Health Professional for Children (QMHP-C) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Grace received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and her Master of Arts Degree with high honors in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South University.
Grace has extensive experience in providing outpatient counseling services to children, adolescents and young adults. She also has sufficient experience working with adult clients with longstanding substance abuse issues. Grace is an individual who has had her own share of mental health challenges and with the help of those around her, she has been able to overcome obstacles and barriers in her life. Grace believes she is still growing, learning and in some ways, healing and wants to work with individuals to provide the hope and support she was given in her darkest times. Grace recognizes the barriers and restrictions that minority cultures often face when dealing with mental health issues. It is Grace’s passion to work with such individuals of various minority backgrounds to confront these challenges and experience breakthrough and acceptance. Grace is ready and willing to work with you or your child to explore any latent issues and improve your daily functioning in a healthy way. To learn more about Grace, visit HERE.
