Calming the Mind

Too much knowledge
Leads to overactivity;
Better to calm the mind.
The more you consider,
The greater the loss;
Better to unify the mind.
                -Shih Wang Ming (6th c) courtesy of dailyzen.com

Many of my clients report a tendency to “overthink” their concerns. This leads to exaggerating the seriousness or severity of the problem and a subsequent overreaction. It's interesting to note that they often have loved ones who tell them they overthink the problem and need to learn how to relax. All well and good but just telling someone to relax or calm down usually leads to the opposite reaction.
Shih Wang Ming tells us too much knowledge leads to overactivity. I think there is an important difference between having knowledge and seeking knowledge. Being open to new experiences potentiates our self discovery, reacting defensively creates impenetrable walls between us and the world. When we feel isolated or abandoned our anxiety generates the overactivity in our minds. When we feel curious there is a natural opening to the world around us. Our awareness of being in either of these conditions is our enlightened mind that by default has the calm and equanimity we need to unify the mind.
Mindfulness strategies are oriented to cultivating our enlightened mind so that we become more confident in all aspects of ourselves.We can utilize the calm from our enlightened mind to slow down;take a breath; and approach a difficult situation with an open heart.