Stress levels in educators and students are increasing globally. While there are many methods to reduce stress, mind training is an effective way to help manage it. Mind training is the practice of focusing on breath control and meditation to reach inner peace. Different aspects of mind training can be combined into one holistic practice, such as Yoga and calligratherapy. This blog post outlines the importance of the three pillars of mind training:concentration, awareness, and insight through calligratherapy as a practical example of how to use this technique for reducing stress levels in educators and students.
Mind training is the practice of strengthening one’s mental and emotional resilience. Through techniques such as meditation, positive thinking, and self-reflection, we can better learn to respond to our inner experiences in a healthy way. Mind training can be done through a range of meditative activities, such as visualising and yoga. The overall goal is to attain mental clarity and well-being while consciously developing one’s capacity for self-awareness. Calligratherapy provides an alternative form of mind training which helps cultivate mental discipline, focus and attention.
Mind training can be broken down into three core pillars: concentration, awareness, and insight.
Concentration in Mind Training
Concentration plays an important role in mind training. It focuses attention on a single point or object, allowing the individual to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings without judgment or analysis. Examples of single-point concentration practices can include deep breathing exercises or mindfulness meditations, like focusing on the present moment without getting distracted by other thoughts or emotions.
Awareness in Mind Training
Awareness is another key component of mind training that helps with stress management. It involves opening up to the present moment, recognise the flow of their own perceptions, thoughts and engaging in a non-reactive experience to external and internal stimuli, and build the capacity to recognize within awareness thoughts and emotions as they arise and not become swept up into them.
Insight in Mind Training
Insight is another important aspect of mind training that allows individuals to explore abstract ideas for deeper understanding and greater insight into their own lives. Examples of activities that lead to greater insight include journalling or painting about personal experiences, exploring meaningful relationships with others, or reflecting on how our actions have impacted our lives positively or negatively. These activities help us gain a better understanding of ourselves, which can lead us towards more meaningful life decisions.
The Big Dipper: Calligratherapy is a practical example in applying the three pillars.
The Big Dipper has long been associated with the concept of cosmic harmony in Chinese philosophy. This is because the stars that make up the Big Dipper appear to be connected, representing a unified group. This concept of unity reflects on a greater scale, suggesting that all elements of life should work together in a harmonious way. This idea can be found throughout Chinese literature and history and can be applied in the modern practice of calligratherapy–a holistic approach to mind training that integrates three pillars: concentration, awareness, and insight in one practice.
The Big Dipper Calligratherapy is a reflective practice with seven different levels which integrates all three pillars into a single meditation based activity of Chinese traditional calligraphy and ink art.
Concentration:
Actions such as flattening the rice paper, dripping water onto ink stone, grinding an ink stick, softening a brush, gripping the brush etc will help to settle your breathing, regulate your heartbeat and focus your mind.
•Level 1. Be present – Dubhe
•Level 2. Ground yourself –Merak
•Level 3. Drawing your breath – Phecda
Awareness
By focusing on the intricate strokes of each character and the balanced movements of their composition, one is able to create a visual representation of internal harmony. This practice encourages self-reflection and mental clarity while activating the calmness of both body and soul.
•Level 4 Five different scripts -Megrez
•Level 5 Draw characters – Alioth
•Level 6 Draw phrases– Mizar
Insight:
The creative process involved in a mix practice of writing calligraphy and draw ink art allows for exploration into more abstract ideas, which can help deepen one’s understanding of their mental state. The ability to read and interpret ancient Chinese characters and visualise the philosophical meaning behind via abstract ink art foster greater insight and ultimately leads to a more holistic approach to mind training. As you draw, what comes out on paper is partly a picture of what is going on inside of you.
Level 7. Calligraphic Ink art – Alkaid
The Big Dipper Calligratherapy is a practice that offers an opportunity to pause and reflect while engaging the body and mind in a meditative process. The mindful practice of calligraphy writing and ink art can help us stay connected to our inner compass, allowing us to experience moments of clarity and insight. While this ancient method of mind training provides an effective way to manage stress, the real benefit lies in cultivating a deeper understanding of oneself and opening up to greater harmony in our lives. Through this practice, one is able to gain balance, clarity and insight into their inner-worlds, creating a life full of joy and well-being.
So if you’re looking for a mindful practice that can help bring you inner-peace and clarity, the Big Dipper Calligratherapy is worth exploring. With this ancient art form, we can discover our true selves on a deeper level and create a life of joy and balance.
