how to gain back mental strength?

Question

i used to be mentally strong. i suppose if you wanted me to clarify what i meant, i mean in the sense that i believe humans have the capability to use percentages of their will power.

however, most only use the lower half (ones who believe in external control/factors) whilst the mentally strong ones can exhert up to the higher percentanges of their will power (internal control/factors). extreme self-belief.

after stopping the pot and going to the gym and eating healthily everyday, i'm still finding myself not as in control as i would like to be. activity wise, what can i do to increase my mental strength? i used to be assertive but now i'm just aggressive. (to the point of obnoxiousness) it's something i can't control as much as i'd like to. it's just plain random rage (which i suspect is caused by the anxiety-paranoia, which i thought i overcame).

if you're going to suggest meditation, at least give me a technique to follow. breathing in and out doesn't seem to do anything for me.

ah well, i already have a few weird hobbies involving creativity. i like to compose/arrange big orchestrations. i suppose it's creative but doesn't really stimulate my mind that much as it used to.

i used to do mtb & tkd (martial arts) too but stopped. haven't been able to get back into it. nowadays, i'm just into running loads but still... i feel like i'm missing something.

i'd really like to get my personality to the point where it's seen as perfect by others. ok, so i know perfection is impossible and one should just be happy being themselves without having to please. but how can i explain it? i just like being seen as 'perfect'. hehe, bit narcisstic i know.

well, i just can't seem to make myself do things just like that like i used to. i have a feeling it might be a self-confidence problem, which i didn't lack before. maybe the anxiety from pot overuse has caused this...?

no shrinks, no meds...any advise? it's all a matter of the mind. i'm determined to sort it out without them

ah, also... i haven't smoked pot since april. i was smoking it everyday since summer, 2005. yeah, seriously... if i wasn't on it, it was because there was a draught. anyway, i got myself off it in 1 day instantly (a serious week of paranoia and depression saw to that).

so yeah, i can sort myself out without meds and shrink. i'm sure of it. i was strong before so i can be strong now. any methods/activities i can do through self-improvement?

Answer 1

Personally I found that getting up in the morning and forcing myself to get ready, small breakfast, then off to the gym while it's still dark outside..... starting slowly with a trainer.... stretching classes and eventually weight training classes got my mind and body feeling positive once again...... sounds perfect for you as well.
No one else is able to help us but our selves.
You just have to want it enough and you will succeed.

Answer 2

First of all, let me congratulate you on stopping the drugs. That is a significant beginning. I would suspect that are experiencing and using anger/aggression because that is all you have known when not using drugs.

There are several things that you can do to assist you in strengthening your mind. But all require the help of a therapist to master. Learn that you can change the way you feel by changing the way you think. And know also that the idea behind psychology is to promote the growth of the human mind. Several things that I do to strengthen my mind is to listen to and play music (composition). This boosts my creativity so that I may perform thought experiments just as Einstein did. I also use my mind by playing Scrabble and learning trivia as well as playing Crosswords. But see a psychologist for more specific advice to strengthening your mind. Good luck.

Answer 3

The mind works like a muscle the more you challenge it the more it grows. In regards to self control, I make myself do a few things a day that I hate but I know are good for me. Eventually I actually learn to like them. Things like eating broccoli, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, OR reading educational books. I just do a little a day and I make myself be positive about it and eventually I learn to like it.

Answer 4

Hopefully these suggestions may give you some assistance or at least a direction to start. Good luck!

I developed a simple nonsectarian practice, but my background is in Buddhism - specifically Jodo Shinshu (aka Shin) Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism, and the nonsectarian teachings of the Bright Dawn Institute (aka Kubose Dharma Legacy).

Here is the simple, yet potent, meditation technique that I use with some recommended resources as well. Specific posture does not matter. If you are uncomfortable sitting on the floor, you can sit on a chair with feet flat on the floor.

Since I have medical issues, I do a simple form of secular mindfulness meditation to relieve stress and anxiety. This helps to reduce high blood pressure and the frequency of headaches. It is a practice recommended by my primary licensed physician and is not encumbered by any superstitious nonsense.

I have actually studied a wide variety of religions and paths. Being more musically inclined, I was initially attracted to the practices of Jodo Shinshu (aka Shin Buddhism) and Nichiren Buddhism - with the combination of chanting a rhythmic phrase (Nembutsu or Odaimoku) and/or sutra recitation to a visual object (a scroll of Amida or a Gohonzon). This is a more active form of meditation as compared to the silent form (see below for that). So I decided to create a nonsectarian alternative in that vein. One practice that I find helpful in the vein of the Way of Oneness (the realization of interdependence) is to chant “Be One, Be Peace” in a position of gassho (palms together in front of chest with fingers pointing upward - a traditional gesture of respect) to an object such as a Dharma Wheel or a drawing of enso (a circle) as used in Zen. Five minutes of this every morning before work does wonders for my blood pressure and stress level.

You are more than welcome to use the chant if you think you may find it possibly useful.

I use two forms: “Be One. Be Peace.” for those who prefer a four syllable “mantra” like “Namandabu.” Or “Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.” for those who prefer the pace of a six syllable “mantra” like “Nam(u) Myo-ho Ren-Ge Kyo” or “Na-Mu A-Mi-da Butsu.” People who like (or are drawn) to chant are attracted to the rhythm.

For me, the purpose of any practice is to encourage self-reflection, internalizing this awareness , and wonder/gratitude/awareness of the interdependent forces of the Universe (Dharmakaya - in Shin this is symbolized as Amida Buddha which allows practitioners to perceive these forces as “compassionate” and “caring” thus allowing us to relate to them easier, or as the Gohonzon in Nichiren Buddhism which is a calligraphic representation of the “Ceremony in the Air” from the Lotus Sutra which is also a representation of the interdependent forces of the Universe).

There are a couple of simple techniques for silent meditation as well. You do not have to sit on the floor. You can sit with erect back on a chair. Many people say try for 15 minutes twice a day. I say start with a simpler goal - 5 minutes twice per day. The benefits include stress management and relaxation benefits which help the body, increased mindfulness and focus, and increased energy. The mindfulness can be a benefit to your spiritual life, but meditation also has "non-spiritual" benefits. Here are two easy techniques:

Breathing meditation - 1) Check posture. 2) Close your eyes and relax. 3) Focus on your breath entering and leaving your body. 4) Count breaths mentally one to four. Repeat. 5) Don't fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.

"Mantra" technique (choose a personal "calm" word or phrase that you will repeat in your meditation - it can be from your religion or something as simple as "one" or "calm" – I use the nonsectarian “Be One. Be Peace” or “Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.”) - 1) and 2) as above in the Breathing meditation. 3) Listen to your breathing and let it relax you with each breath. 4) Once you are relaxed, mentally "hear" your "calm" word or phrase in your mind. Let it repeat in your mind. 5) Don't fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.

That is all there is to these very simple but beneficial meditation techniques. Many people think that something "mystical" should happen during meditation. Most often "nothing" happens and "nothing" should be expected.

Oh yes, and it didn't cost me anything to learn nor were there any "initiations" involved.

Some good resources on "secular" meditation are "The Calm Technique" by Paul Wilson as well as "The Relaxation Response" by Herbert Benson. If you need more formal "assistance" or "training" then I would look into Natural Stress Relief which was founded by former Transcendental Meditation instructors upset at the rising cost and ongoing superstition associated with TM. They charge $47 for their training compared with the $2,500 that TM would charge you.

http://www.naturalstressreliefusa.org/...

Also look at these websites on Buddhism on the nonsectarian Bright Dawn teachings which have a heritage of Shin and Zen Buddhism:

http://www.brightdawn.org/

http://www.heartlandsangha.org/

Answer 5

yeah leave the weed alone a lot of people don't realize it can change the chemicals in your brain leave that alone you on a start to your brain being stronger

Answer 6

the key to your problem was "after stopping the pot"pot is mentally addicting and sometimes you have to wean yourself off it slowly with the help of medication its sad but true for many pot smokers ..after awhile anxiety creeps in and one tends to become less focused...address the problem to a psychiatrist he can prescribe something mild to get over your addiction...

Answer 7

Control is an illusion.
Wanting it, delusion.

Get out of your confusion or you'll come to the conclusion all you've been doing is losing.