#005 Finding Peace of Mind in Stressful times

In this podcast episode, we explore the journey to finding peace in life’s chaos and uncovering the true source of contentment.

Despite our achievements and successes, many of us have experienced that nagging feeling that something is missing. 

What You’ll Learn in this Podcast:

1. How to recognise the common responses to stress and unfulfillment. 
2. The secret to attaining peace and contentment. 
3. Understanding human nature to understand yourself. 

Mentioned on the Podcast: (Click on Links)

• Nafs Coaching School
• Mind Health & Relationship training (Free Training & Newsletter)

Creating Calm in Stressful Times

It seems, in today’s world, stress has become the norm. It’s like we’re so used to it, we see it as part and parcel of our daily lives.

So, what’s the secret to finding inner peace when you’re in the middle of a stressful situation?

The answer is so simple, yet profound, and we find it in the most unlikely place, somewhere where most people don’t look, or even consider. 

To overcome all of the challenges that we face in life, when you’re connected to the source of all solutions, the Creator of life itself, that is the answer to all of your inner peace. The “How To” to get rid of all of your stress, worry and anxiety we’re facing. 

You might be thinking that seems way too simplistic. You might even be thinking, “Well, I’ve tried that. Where is the peace in that?” 

Quite often, all we require is a simple solution. However, we look for the complete opposite. 

As human beings, we go out to search for all the shiny objects in life, thinking that these things will quench our thirst or fill the inner void we’re feeling. 

Some people become fixated on personal development, hoping that achievements and self-enhancement will bring them that tranquillity that they’re searching for. 

However, there comes a point of realisation that material blessings cannot fill the spiritual void within us. 

We spend most of our lives striving to attain my dreams, getting that nice big car, that huge house or apartment overlooking the ocean, the beautiful family and kids, that great job, in the hope that it will quench our spiritual thirst, that inner yearning. 

The truth is, you can’t feed yourself with material things to fill a spiritual gap. 

This is highlighted in Mariam’s story.

Mariam is a practising Muslim woman. 

She prays five times a day. And she tries to be as spiritual as possible. But the lack of balance in her life causes her to feel really time-poor, and she struggles to be spiritual. 

One thing she knows for sure is that when she is spiritually connected to her Creator, when she feels connected to Allah, all her problems are manageable and she can handle anything. 

But her challenge is that the feeling comes and goes. 

So Mariam reacts a certain way when she realises that none of her achievements have actually helped to solve this spiritual challenge. 

Now, the reaction is different for people but there are some common ways people react to this realisation. 

Some people lose confidence in their ability to make decisions. This leads to a negative self-perception and impacts various areas of their life.

Others focus on setting huge goals or practise gratitude rituals, meditation, journaling or becoming engaged in physical activity for a natural boost. 

The third type of reaction that Mariam could possibly have is that she realises all of these things in her life are indeed great blessings. However, she can’t seem to fill that void with any of them.

This realisation then sparks a journey toward developing a stronger relationship with her Creator, seeking contentment beyond the material world.

Allah (swt) tells us categorically, that peace and contentment are found in the spiritual, not in the material. 

Allah says in Surah Ra’d, verse 28,

 أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ

“It is only in the remembrance of Allah, that the hearts will find contentment.” 

That’s the only thing that will give us the solution to all of our material challenges. 

We need to turn inwards, towards spiritual contentment as that’s the only thing that will give us the solutions to our material challenges. 

Whether we have challenges at work, in business, with our spouses, our children, or with anything in life. These are all material challenges. 

The businesses that we have, the careers, the jobs, the schools, the children, the holidays, everything is of the material world.

The spiritual contentment does not come from the material world. It comes from the contentment of our soul, of you, the inner you. 

We’re grateful to Allah. We practise and make Dua and learn about our Deen. We get so much out of our Islamic Studies, yet some of those challenges just never go away, and we can’t seem to figure it out. 

The contentment we’re looking for is in understanding our life, understanding our spirituality, the Ruh (soul), understanding our psychological and our physical makeup. 

All human beings, not just the Muslims need to be connected to reality, connected to our Creator. Because that is where all of the well-being comes from. 

Spiritual nourishment is through the connection, the remembrance of the Almighty, the All-Merciful and Compassionate, The All-loving; Al Wadud, the All-loving Creator of the Heavens and Earth. 

That’s where your spiritual nourishment will come from.

The simple answer to your spiritual need is your connection to Allah (swt).

Spiritual nourishment, derived from a deep relationship with Allah, remains the simple yet profound solution to finding lasting peace, transforming our lives in ways we may never have imagined.