Awaken the Species Review
The oncologist who treated my grandmother was one Awaken the Species Review of the funniest people I've ever met. I'm sure that alone extended her life a bit, and it certainly made her last years more enjoyable. He also had a thriving practice and a full waiting room at all times. His patients loved him. I have been involved with business negotiations where a quick joke sealed the deal. As a matter of fact, this happened to me just the other day. The client was telling me about how hard times were. I cracked a self-effacing joke. He laughed. Within minutes, I had a check in my hand.
Many people have seen a tense social situation made more comfortable by a joke or prank. Have you ever been to a party where two people who dislike each other are forced to be in the same room. It can be painful... then somebody mentions how it all started with an argument over a fish. Everybody laughs, and all is good. You may have seen that happen.
For centuries, silencing the mind has been encouraged by religious leaders from all over the world. It claims that you will be able to find deeper spirituality if you silence the mind and really find the answers you seek from god. Up until today, silencing the mind is still promoted by religion. In fact, spiritual teachers, self help teachers, and even counselors are now promoting this kind of practice as it is very beneficial.
Basically, silencing the mind is not really meditation. It is about the willingness and the ability to quiet your mind at some time during the day. By doing so, you will be able to feel the flow and ebb of your life. A cluttered mind will mean that you will not be able to arrive to a definite answer. For example, if you are solving a particular problem with your work or with your personal life, you will find that silencing the mind will be able to help you make better decisions and also help you arrive at a definite answer.
