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**affewheillMapew** · 04-04-2012, 11:57 AM

Hi Stormsy,

I can relate on a number of levels. I'm also 21 years old and reside in the United States. In spite of living in the "first world", I too feel bombarded by stress at every angle and overwhelmed by suffering of a specific variety. Between working as a research assistant, completing a capstone project for presentation at a science conference later this month, helping to lead two student organizations, applying for PhD programs, searching for grants and fellowships to fund my pursuits, and other obligations, I often find myself drained and depleted.

The quote "What you think, you become", as you may know, comes from the first couplet in the Dhammapada.

Dhammapada Chapter I: Yamakavagga

1. Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with an impure mind a person speaks or acts suffering follows him like the wheel that follows the foot of the ox.

2. Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts happiness follows him like his never-departing shadow.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit...p.01.budd.html Whenever I read these verses, I view them in light of cognitive appraisal. The way we perceive a given situation, the manner in which we mentally digest our experiences, will determine their effect on us. In my daily life, I find that stress and suffering tend to arise out of my desire to control the chaos that surrounds me, to confine everything into boxes, to implement a strict regimen for accomplishing what needs to be done by its deadline. In these instances, my mind is in an impure state, frantically grasping after things that are beyond me. I inevitably enter a state of panic. In the instances in which I am feeling at ease, it is when these worries have dropped away. My mind has no preoccupation but remains focused, my grip has adjusted without necessarily loosening, and the many committments I have seem manageable. I'm not sure if this addresses your question fully, but it is what I have to offer.

Looking forward to hearing more from you.

Best,
Abhaya

04-04-2012, 11:57 AM	#3
affewheillMapew Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 359 Senior Member	Hi Stormsy, I can relate on a number of levels. I'm also 21 years old and reside in the United States. In spite of living in the "first world", I too feel bombarded by stress at every angle and overwhelmed by suffering of a specific variety. Between working as a research assistant, completing a capstone project for presentation at a science conference later this month, helping to lead two student organizations, applying for PhD programs, searching for grants and fellowships to fund my pursuits, and other obligations, I often find myself drained and depleted. The quote "What you think, you become", as you may know, comes from the first couplet in the Dhammapada. Dhammapada Chapter I: Yamakavagga 1. Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with an impure mind a person speaks or acts suffering follows him like the wheel that follows the foot of the ox. 2. Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts happiness follows him like his never-departing shadow. http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit...p.01.budd.html Whenever I read these verses, I view them in light of cognitive appraisal. The way we perceive a given situation, the manner in which we mentally digest our experiences, will determine their effect on us. In my daily life, I find that stress and suffering tend to arise out of my desire to control the chaos that surrounds me, to confine everything into boxes, to implement a strict regimen for accomplishing what needs to be done by its deadline. In these instances, my mind is in an impure state, frantically grasping after things that are beyond me. I inevitably enter a state of panic. In the instances in which I am feeling at ease, it is when these worries have dropped away. My mind has no preoccupation but remains focused, my grip has adjusted without necessarily loosening, and the many committments I have seem manageable. I'm not sure if this addresses your question fully, but it is what I have to offer. Looking forward to hearing more from you. Best, Abhaya
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