Shaolin Temple Quanfa Institute
S.T.Q.I. Downtown Toronto School
Written by Master Dao on Thursday, December 31, 2020

Approaching the New Year with Peace in Our Hearts

/assets/image/Dao-Shi-STQI-Shaolin-Authentic-Traditional-Disciple-20210101-011-Zen-Meditation-Chan-Dao-1200px-162.png

Many people will reflect upon 2020 and decide it was a turbulent year. And as we look forward to 2021, there appears to be much uncertainty.

For instance, we wonder if we will be able to conquer COVID-19. Will we be able to go back to our normal lives? 

With such a drastic change to our livelihoods and having such great uncertainty, how can we make resolutions for the New Year?

A Shaolin Chán-Dào Perspective

When we hold onto something and lose it, we cannot help but suffer. The greater the hold, the greater the suffering.

We can only speculate what will happen in 2021, but this is true for any year, any day, and any moment.

By holding onto ideas such as, "I want to go back to how things were before COVID-19", or "I want COVID-19 to be eliminated this year", we create a "ball and chain" for our heart which prevents us from moving forward.

And why does this happen? It's because without knowing it, we create a rule for ourselves. We create the rule that our happiness is tied to the resolution of COVID-19. If it doesn't happen, we feel pain and reminisce about the "good old days". As the days go by, there is more and more uncertainty, and we generate even greater fear of the unknown.

How Can We Find Peace in Our Hearts This Year?

To find greater peace for ourselves this year, we need to learn how to accept our reality. Take the time to discover the rules you have made for yourself.

The best time to do this is after practicing meditation. As you discover each rule, contemplate why you are so attached to it. Ask questions such as: "Where does it come from?", "How will it affect me emotionally if it doesn't come true?", "Is it acceptable for me to feel that way?", and "If I didn't have this rule, would it change me positively?".

By realizing your own rules and reflecting upon them, you will be able to figure out how to free your heart and enjoy what 2021 will bring.

If you're looking for a New Year's resolution, perhaps consider making it a priority for yourself to meditate and reflect regularly.

Go to >> Chan-Dao Zen Resources
Posted by Master Dao on Tuesday, January 05, 2021
The traditional form of the Shaolin Sitting Meditation is a Still Meditation exercise. The goal of the exercise is to continually lessen m... [more]
Posted by Master Dao on Thursday, February 02, 2023
Self-Wisdom is about you understanding yourself, the reality and environment you are in, and your interactions. Improving self-wisdom is a shortcut to finding peace and stillness for yourself. ... [more]
Posted by Master Dao on Monday, April 11, 2022
The ideas of peace and happiness are important for a fruitful life. They are both closely related to mental health and often discussed together, yet these a... [more]
Posted by Master Dao on Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Perhaps the most confusing thing about meditation today is that the word is being used for many different ideas, and sometimes these ideas will conflict. Can someone be c... [more]
Posted by Master Dao on Monday, June 28, 2021
What is Anxiety? Anxiety is a feeling of 'worriness' resulting from uncertainty. Some major sources of anxiety are social (expectations and judgements from soc... [more]
Posted by Master Dao on Tuesday, October 22, 2024
The topic of 'Subconscious' is an important one, and is one of the 4 key components of Shaolin Chan-Dao wisdom. Before continuing, we recommend you first study the previous two key components: p... [more]
Posted by Master Dao on Friday, August 25, 2023
Have you ever strongly felt that you made some poor choices, said something, or did something, that you wish you did not? Every time you are faced with a simila... [more]
Posted by Master Dao on Tuesday, September 10, 2024
What is the ? The is about understanding how people suffer and how people behave. It is a powerful idea that requires a strong fou... [more]
Posted by Master Dao on Tuesday, February 01, 2022
Happy Chinese New Year 新年快乐! Wishing You Health and Vitality 身体健康! The Lunar New Year is one of the most important times of ... [more]
Posted by Master Dao on Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Participate with Master Dao in this Recorded Shaolin Chan Dao Meditation Workshop The written blog about Wisdom for this workshop can be found here: ... [more]
Contact Us Connect
Email: info@stqitoronto.com
Phone: 647-724-8004
Mailing Address:
  STQI TORONTO
  393 Dundas Street West, 2nd Floor
  Toronto, Ontario M5T 1G6
  Canada
YouTube
Instagram
Facebook
Discord

Copyright © STQI Toronto 2025 All rights reserved.