Arogya paramā lābhā
                                                 (Health is the Greatest Gain)
                                                                   by Bhante Debongshi
​
                Maintaining good mental health is equally as important as maintaining good physical health. If you are to pursue a successful life, one’s psychology is a key focus. It governs all other areas of life. Strategy shows our psychology is responsible for 80% of success while other aspects like natural and social environment etc. is responsible for 20% of success. You can imagine how hard it is to remain mentally healthy. The Buddha pointed out it’s possible to find people in the world who are physically well for maybe a month, for years, even for a hundred years; but hard to find a person who is mentally well even for a moment.
            The mind and body are separate mechanisms of our life, but they are also deeply interconnected. Therefore, when you are mentally ill it affects your physical health. In order to accomplish your goals it is important to have to be optimistic and a healthy mindset. I am referring to a positive mental attitude. When the mental attitude gets stronger it changes your emotions and your psychology improves, that means the mental health improves. You will notice that the people with a positive mental attitude are always happy, energetic, resilient, and successful. They actively engage in the path of success, have passion for knowledge, and have awareness to self and the world. They offer constructive answers frequently rather than posing difficult questions. They can easily pursue a better life because of their healthy psychology.
           But those who are mentally ill have a deficit in their psychology and have great difficulty in life. They are doubtful in almost everything. The people with doubtful attitudes tend to believe that negativities are unavoidable, one way or another causes them to accept it as true and undermine all of their ability. Gradually this negative habit develops on itself and turns to depression. That’s how the pessimists look at the conflict of life and in way they judge the world. On the other hand with positive mental attitude the optimist tends to look at hardship as a test, as impermanent, as a blessing, failure as to promising victory. So they find the way out as they wait for their success.
                If you think you’re caught up by any negativity, it is important to change the habit primarily by focusing on a goal. Get advice from optimistic people on how to train yourself to be more positive and stay determined to achieve a healthier life.
May all beings be well and healthy!
                                                                     Metta!

                             Arogya paramā lābhā
                                          (Health is the Greatest Gain)
                                                         by Bhante Debongshi

                   If you want to pursue a happy life it is important to remain healthy. As you can imagine, it is very hard to focus mentally in life when your physical health is ill. Your ability of understanding during spiritual practices also becomes hindered.
Looking after your body takes a few simple things, following a daily routine, moderating food, eating lots of fresh vegetables, avoiding junk food, continuing regular exercise, practicing meditation, getting enough rest, and drinking at least 6-8 classes of water daily. Let’s not forget a clean environment is one of the important parts of a healthy life. So keep your environment clean.
                 Ultimately, if you fail to do these common things your physical health will deteriorate and this will affect other aspect of one’s life. If you devote at least an hour a day to maintain your physical health, the body will be balanced and full of energy. The Buddha used to walk daily and traveled far and wide by foot to teach others regardless of the season. He was able to do so because he maintained a balanced lifestyle.
                While listening to Dhamma, the King Kusala often fell asleep because of ill health. He even had had to retire for some time from his Royal duties. The Buddha advised him to moderate food and follow the eight moral precepts. According to the advice of the Buddha, he moderated eating, observed the eight precepts on every uposatha day, and practiced meditation which gradually improved his health. After getting better he came to pay respect to the Buddha. On that occasion the Buddha uttered thus, “Oh great king; health is the utmost gain, gratitude is the greatest wealth, the trustees are the most excellent kin, and Nibbana is the supreme bliss.” These are the blessings that bring true happiness.
              My daily mindfulness practice includes morning and evening meditation, mindful work, cleaning, organizing personal tasks, gentle yoga, mindful walking. I look forward to do these activities every day. It helps me both mentally and physically. When I ignore doing my practices, for even a day, I grow lazy. I notice my physical condition becomes slothful and inactive. The daily disciplinary activities help to boost my energy. Being in good health is a great deal, it empowers you in every engagement in life. If you are in poor health, it should be your key objective to build up your health, by doing the simple things as I mentioned above. I guarantee if you maintain these simple things, it will improve not only your physical health, but also all areas of your life.
                                                                    Metta!