How to achieve tranquility

Question

I am a very hyper 22 year old who is always cursing and getting upset. I blow things out of proportion. I want to achieve tranquility and be as calm as possible. I have considered studying Buddhism and meditation to try to help, as well as reading a lot of books on philosophy. Does anyone have any suggestions on my path to self happiness?

Answer 1

First lets define what happiness is. Happiness is what happens to you and your reaction to it. Is it your goal to be happy no matter what occurs? Next you have to define tranquility before you can achieve it. How can one seek inward for tranquility without knowing what it is?  Tranquility can only be defined by each individual through their own experiences. Therefor there can be no absolute tranquility. Only truth. Many will say that there is no absolute truth. Okay, prove it.That statement alone makes it impossible. other will say that what is true for you may not be true for me. That is saying there is no absolute truth a different way.

Seek truth and it will set you free.

Answer 2

Jesus says the peace He gives is not what the world gives.  this is spiritual peace.

Answer 3

Always take as many deep breath as you need when you think you on the verge of breaking down or getting angry.  

Answer 4

Buddhist practice, by its very nature, reduces reactivity.

As we all know, the circumstances of life constantly change. Nothing ever remains the same for very long.

Sadly, this constant, ongoing change conflicts with our human tendency to create habitual ways of seeing the world and responding to situations.

Some people have soft, passive habits -- they retire from conflict and change. Others have explosive habits -- they react to change with anger and even violence.

Buddhist practice helps us find a third way of responding to change, because it exposes our mind-habits and sucks the energy out of them.

As this happens, we begin to see change as a natural part of life. We accept and work with it, rather than retiring or resisting.

All this is easily said, of course. To bring acceptance and harmony into your life, you will need to engage in Buddhist practice (meditation, chanting, bowing, study, etc.) steadily and over time.

Most people cannot sustain Buddhist practice without the support of a teacher and community. So if you'd like to begin Buddhism practice, consider establishing a relationship with a local community. The link below leads to a list of worldwide centers.

Finally, I hope you'll keep in mind that, for most people, change doesn't occur overnight. It has taken 22 years to become the person you are. While it may not take that long to undo your mind-habits, it will take some time. I hope you'll give yourself that time. Best wishes!

Answer 5

I bet you anything that your mind is either in the past or the future most of the time.  We miss "this moment" for most of our lives.  You want more peace and tranquillity practise living in the NOW.

Answer 6

Meditation should be helpful.

There are many kinds of meditation so you can explore different types.

Hyperactive people are actually lucky when it comes to meditation, because by forcing you to be still, meditation breaks your active and subconscious minds to reveal a tranquil level of mind you don't even realise you have. Accessing this level of mind is 'empty' and extremely tranquil.

Buddhist philosophy is also highly analytical of the mind. If you can identify your thought processes, it'll be easier to control them. As an example of how it's analysed, here's the concept of dependent arising as a way of recognising the problem:

With Ignorance as condition, Mental Formations arise,

With Mental Formations as condition, Consciousness arises  

With Consciousness as condition, Name and Form arise  

With Name & Form as condition, Sense Gates arise

With Sense Gates as condition, Contact arises

With Contact as condition, Feeling arises

With Feeling as condition, Craving arises

With Craving as condition, Clinging arises

With Clinging as condition, Becoming arises

With Becoming as a condition, Birth arises

With Birth as condition, Aging and Dying arise

Answer 7

Put your excess energy into something "meaningful". Helping others might bring you the philosophical insights you seek.