This Week's Parenting Tip
A Happy (No, Really Happy) New Year...
Practical tips for anyone seeking peace & contentment
Overworked, overstressed Americans are searching for peace and contentment, but most of us find it elusive. Dr. Leonid Sharashkin, editor of the new Ringing Cedars Series, says we've forgotten how to be happy—but his books can help us remember.
Kahului, HI (December 2008)—Every January we set New Year's Resolutions: I want to lose 20 pounds. I want to quit smoking. I want to get out of debt. But regardless of what spin we give it, what we're really saying is "I want to be happy." And no wonder. America may be the land of opportunity and plenty, but it is also the land of constant worry, fierce competition, and for many—hit hard by foreclosures, downsizings, and stock market losses—endless struggles to stay afloat.
Stress and general dissatisfaction are at an all-time high, says environmentalist and editor Dr. Leonid Sharashkin. The recession isn't helping matters, but the problem goes deeper than mere economics. Too many of us fail to find joy in our work, in our relationships, in our communities—really, in every aspect of our day-to-day existence. In short, despite our national commitment to the pursuit of happiness, few of us seem to be, well, happy.
"As a society and a culture, America has bought into the belief that more equals happiness," he reflects. "More money, more possessions, more prestige, more, more, more. But when your life is built on a wealth-centric value system, perceiving the end of financial prosperity is deeply threatening to your already shaky foundations. And that's what we see happening all around us.
"It's clear that people are grasping for solutions—sales of books on self-help, spirituality, and enlightenment have never been higher," he adds. "Yet, peace and contentment continue to elude them. Clearly, somewhere along the line, mankind has lost the vital key to understanding what constitutes happiness."
The answer to this dilemma, says Sharashkin, is presented in a unique and powerful book series he edited—a series originally written in Russian that has sold 10 million copies worldwide due to word-of-mouth alone since the first book was published in 1996. After a rigorous three-year English translation process, The Ringing Cedars Series (Ringing Cedars Press, June 2008, ISBN: 978-0-9801812-0-3, $15.95) is being re-released in the United States.
"The message in these books is what Americans need, right at the time they most need it," says Dr. Sharashkin. "Already, over 100,000 copies have been sold across the English-speaking world, again, with no traditional advertising. They just speak to people's souls. Readers recognize in them a practical path to sustainability and spiritual enlightenment. The books offer a new way to live—and people are hungry for this."
This nine-book collection, written by Siberian author Vladimir Megré and translated into 20 languages, chronicles the messages from Anastasia, a mysterious and powerful woman who has inspired millions of readers worldwide to pursue a purer and more authentic style of living. Believed to be a survivor of an ancient Vedic culture, Anastasia lives with her family secluded in the forests of the Siberian taiga. Her knowledge regarding subjects like spirituality, raising children, gardening, sacred sexuality, healing, and man's destiny surpasses everything we thought we already knew.
Her amazingly relevant insights, which are recorded throughout the nine books, have spurred countless Anastasia movements in countries all over the world. In Russia alone, millions of people now lead peacefully fulfilling, back-to-the-earth (and mortgage-free!) lifestyles after reading the series in its original language and absorbing its meaning.
If you read the books, take their message to heart, and begin to move toward a more natural, harmonious, and sustainable life, you will discover the true inner happiness that is your birthright, promises Sharashkin. How does that translate to practical action? Here are a few insights and suggestions gleaned from The Ringing Cedars Series that you can take to heart in 2009 and beyond:
Re-evaluate your work life. True, America is in the midst of an economic crisis and job panic is setting in with many of us, but the true crisis is less about your financial plentitude and more about your general satisfaction. You don't have to love the job you have, but you should certainly be doing something you don't hate! If you have a well-paying job that brings you nothing but misery, no salary level or list of fancy perks can justify your unhappiness.
Anastasia comments on entrepreneurs: "I feel sorry, very sorry, for the people you call entrepreneurs. They are the most miserable of all...[An entrepreneur] never gets to enjoy his acquisitions, since along comes another plan immediately to take its place—a more complicated plan, and the whole process begins again from scratch, only with greater challenges."
"Americans work longer and harder than most other groups, yet their hard-earned money does not bring them any genuine fulfillment," asserts Sharashkin. "Furthermore, in recent weeks we have witnessed thousands upon thousands of employees with seemingly secure jobs lose them in an instant. This is a lesson for all of us. Your job is not your identity and neither it nor the income it brings should be inextricably linked to your happiness."
Lighten up your views regarding labor and you might be surprised to see that working fewer hours or even switching to a more appropriate career can change your entire view of the world. Try to come to terms with the idea that money and status are only an illusion and that the universe always provides for people in need. Once you free your ego from unnecessary attachment to money and power, you will be a much more peaceful person.
Plant and nurture a vegetable garden. A central theme of The Ringing Cedars Series regards developing a love and respect for the outdoors. Anastasia often refers to the Russian Dachniks—gardeners who own small plots of land and spend much of their free time planting and working to produce the fruits and vegetables that make up their diets. She asserts that limitless well-being comes from working the soil and growing flowers and nourishing produce alike. Everyone, the books suggest, would be far happier if they spent more time with their hands and feet in the earth.
"The society you are living in today can learn a lot from communication with the plants to be found around dachas," says Anastasia. "Yes, I am talking about the dachas, where you personally know every individual plant in your garden-plot...People feel better when they are working in their dacha plots. Many of them end up living longer. They become kinder."
Yes you can cultivate your own garden. You don't need a large plot of land—actually most dacha plots are rather small. (Even city dwellers can grow plants in windowsills and on balconies.) Plant a variety of vegetables and fruits and spend half an hour each day tending to what you grow. A small amount of time in the garden yields bountiful results not only in a delicious, healthful harvest but in your personal tranquility and joy as well. Gardening is a natural stress reliever. Savor working the soil with your hands. The earth is vastly intelligent and believe it or not, this kind of interaction is actually a divine form of communication with the planet.
As much as possible, expose your children to nature. In The Ringing Cedars Series, Anastasia criticizes the unnatural way children are raised. By immersing them in a man-made world, she says, we not only perpetuate the sense of unhappiness that comes from a disconnection from nature, we fundamentally alter the way they perceive the Universe and their place in it. We limit their development in profound ways.
"One after another the child is presented with the accoutrements of an artificial world," says Anastasia. "He is rewarded for his acceptance by some new toy or item of clothing. And along with this the thought is drummed into him that these are the dominant objects in the world where he has arrived. Still in his infancy, despite his status as the most perfect being in the Universe, he is pandered to and treated as an imperfect creature, even in those institutions you consider educational, where again he is constantly reminded of the values of this artificial world."
Sharashkin concurs. "Anastasia points out that most children are raised in an artificial, sterile world created by a technocratic society," he says. "In infancy they learn the so-called value of material possessions and never consciously comprehend that the natural world—trees, grass, dirt—is a more nurturing and educational playground than a nursery. The only way to counteract this is to get outside with your children as much as possible. Let babies roll around in the grass; let toddlers play with bugs and rocks; have older children join you in the garden."
Promote clean-peace. (De-clutter your home.) Most Americans tend to hoard away clutter that they don't really need. (It's all a part of our "the more stuff we have, the happier we are" mentality.) It all adds up not only physically but in the psyche as well, because clutter promotes mental disorder. Conversely, a tidy home promotes a more peaceful atmosphere. And, of course, learning to live without a lot of "extras" is beneficial to our wallets as well—which leads to its own kind of peace of mind.
"If we consider Anastasia as an example, we notice that she has almost no material possessions at all," says Sharashkin. "Nature provides everything she could want for, and she is content living a minimalist lifestyle. Perhaps we can't all live so simply, but we can certainly emulate her to as great an extent as possible."
To get started, rid your home of any excessive and unnecessary items, he suggests. Most important of all, don't try to keep up with the Joneses. Material possessions are unable to make or keep you happy. Get rid of old clothes, sports equipment, or anything lying around you don't need. Once your home is clutter-free, you will notice a much more serene atmosphere that promotes creativity and peace.
Take a break from the technocratic world. Anastasia uses the term technocratic to describe the artificial elements of society, such as television, computers, telephones, and radios. As frequently as possible, take a sabbatical from such distractions. They waste time, sap your energy, and promote a sedentary lifestyle—which can lead to depression.
Start small, Sharashkin suggests. Instead of turning on the television, spend a night with your family or friends communicating in a meaningful way. You can swap stories or share favorite memories with one another instead of relying on a modern distraction for entertainment. Better still, listen to your child's (or your partner's) heartbeat, and let him or her listen to yours, as Anastasia suggests. You will be amazed to see how immensely powerful this wordless way of communication is, as—instead of being distracted by some pop-music hit—you become aware of the pulse of the universal life-force throbbing through your loved one's heart. Do this a few times and soon you may feel ready to go a whole month without even turning on the television. You'll likely decide that once the month is up you don't want to go back to your old ways.
Identify and cut back on your whims. The economy is in a major slump right now and everyone is feeling the strain. Now is a good time to identify those expensive and/or self-destructive "happiness crutches" and practice resisting them. You likely already know what your whims are. Whether it's your twice-a-day coffeehouse lattes, drinking binges, reckless sex, or weekend shopping sprees that get you out of your slumps, remember that these distractions never really bring lasting peace. On the contrary, the financial and spiritual price tag for even low-grade self-destruction is quite high.
Anastasia reminds readers that there is no "quick fix" that can take the place of a life built on an authentic, spiritually sound foundation. She equates thoughtless spending and acquisition with sprinkling water on flower petals rather than feeding the roots themselves. Spend a few weeks denying yourself of your "crutches" and just wait. This will allow your spirit to begin seeking the resources it really craves to be content.
Imitate the earth's natural cycles to reduce unrest. A profound yet simple way to connect with nature is to mirror the planet's natural cycles. In short, wake up with the sunrise and rest when the sun disappears.
"Many people behave as if the sun and moon are interchangeable, but these are the same people who are ragged from denying their bodies' natural rhythms," says Sharashkin. "Think of yourself as a morning glory. Spend time outdoors when the sun warms you and you will notice that your mood is naturally elevated and you feel peaceful due to the healing effects of the sunlight."
In the Ringing Cedars books, Anastasia explains that nighttime also offers a unique chance to connect to the Universe in a beneficial way. She instructs readers to spend a night sleeping outside beneath the heavens. She says to "pick an evening when weather conditions are favorable and arrange to spend the night under the stars."
"As you lie in the grass, let your gaze wander across the celestial bodies," says Sharashkin. "Keep your thoughts free and unencumbered. This exercise helps you begin to grasp the vastness of the Universe and should bring a feeling of peace and oneness. Share this experience with your children or partner in order to enrich your spiritual bond in unison."
"At a point in history in which happiness is at an all-time low, we should find comfort in Anastasia's promise that a more awake and conscious future is imminent," concludes Sharashkin. "The human experience doesn't have to be a stressful, joyless rat race. The Ringing Cedars Series explains how mankind can reverse the damage caused by years of artificial living. As soon as we change our unsustainable ways, life will change along with us—and we will finally find the peace and happiness we have long been searching for."
About the Editor:
Dr. Leonid Sharashkin is editor and co-translator of The Ringing Cedars Series and founder of Ringing Cedars Press, the publisher of The Ringing Cedars Series in English.
For more information, please visit ringingcedars.com
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