Turning Toward Health

Health comes first. Sickness is secondary.

~Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

According to the Buddhist tradition, people inherently possess buddha nature; that is, they are basically and intrinsically good. From this point of view, health is intrinsic. That is, health comes first; sickness is secondary. Health is. So being healthy is being fundamentally wholesome, with body and mind synchronized in a state of being which is indestructible and good. This intrinsic, basic goodness is always present in any interaction of one human being with another.

~~From “Becoming a Full Human Being,” in The Sanity We Are Born With: A Buddhist Approach to Psychology, 141, by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

• become curious

• open to new possibilities

• take responsibility for your own health

• continue to learn

• take small steps

• try a new recipe

• look forward

• give yourself time

• give yourself space

• have fun

• walk your dog

• brush your cat

• laugh

• start a jigsaw puzzle

• soften toward yourself

• soften toward others

• enjoy colorful, healthy foods

• take walks

• eliminate smoking

• reduce alcohol consumption

• eliminate vaping

• seek out counseling

• avoid taking drugs

• place a green plant in your room

• plant some seeds

• prepare a garden

• repot a plant

• start a worm bin

• ride your bicycle

• share some food with your neighbor

• offer a ride to someone

• smile at passersby

• dance while no one is watching

• listen to music

• play with paints

• color