From another email -
I have written enough for ten books over the past 38 years so it is a hard question to do justice it in a relatively brief response but I will do my best.
I was diagnosed way back in 1983 with paranoid schizophrenia - I found out that if you tell a shrink that some external entity is puttiing all kinds of horrible thoughts into your head then the shrink has no option but to diagnose you with paranoid schizophrenia!
My psychotic symptoms were severe in the beginning. So severe I honestly do not know how I avoided ending in prison or the grave. I do regard it as a genuine "miracle" but that may not satisfy many people.
My mind was a swirling, random, chaotic mess.
I was virtually FORCED into meditation or I would have totally lost the plot!
Meditation & mindfulness have been around for centuries - esp in Buddhist countries.
Basically meditation is a way of training your mind to be more positive by contemplating such human qualities as compassion & forgiveness & kindness & gratitude to name a few off-the-to-of-my-head
At least that has been my experience of meditation. Thee are countless ways to meditate and it isn't as "mystical" as some believe. It's really quite practical. You just need to experiment to find what works best for you as an individual with a unique human mind!
I also read a LOT - being schizo and having little income I have to keep myself occupied cheaply. My current routine is most enjoyable - I alternate between reading & meditating & doing yoga & chanting & walking & writing & listening to my favorite music & surfing the web. I have books that I have read many dozens of times. I could recommend a couple if you were interested. I could also point you towards some excellent websites I have discovered over the yeas!
I also enjoy marathon sessions of playing reversi against the computer. Each game is unique and it is a real challenge for the mind & the imagination - yo can also play online -
Reversi - Free Online Games | GameFools
Easy to learn but hundreds of games to become a master at it
I am not sure what your precise situation is - feel free to share - I promise yo will NOT shock me after all I have experienced. I figure you are looking for answers to the big questions of the human experience on this planet. That is something we all could do more often instead of distracting our minds in any number of ways in this modern world.
Okay, if you want a better explanation of where I am coming from. Here's a cuple of books you may find helpful. I certainly have enjoyed them but we all have different tastes - would be a boring old world if we were all the same!
"Happiness" by Matthieu Ricard
"Welcoming the unwelcome" by Pema Chodron - or any of her other books such as "When Things Fall Apart"
Also find Pema on the web and YouTube - she is very popular and there is loads of free stuff online -
Articles
Her basic message is that we should practice treating ourselves with kindness before we can hope to treat our fellow humans decently.
This blog is another good resource -
How to Be Happy: 23 Ways to Be Happier
Or if you wanted a point of view that suggests we seek meaning rather than happiness -
Is a Happy Life Different from a Meaningful One?
If you have any more specific questions feel free to ask - there is no such thing as a "stupid" question in my view. We ONLY lean by asking questions!
Anyway, wishing you all the best and hope you find something useful in my email
