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so good at defending ourselves that we even do it when there's no threat around! It's important, for inner peace, to give up large chunks of time spent on this habit, instead focusing on the world as it is presenting itself to us.

Right now, you're probably sitting in front of a computer. Is there a breeze? Is it cool, or warm? What sounds can you hear? And later, when you're fixing your next meal, what will you be thinking about? Try not to let your mind wander: smell the tomatoes, feel the water running over your hands from the faucet, listen to the rolling, boiling water on the stove, smell the spices, and truly taste the pasta, without letting your anxiety about an upcoming meeting at work get in your way: anxiety can wait until you're there, in that moment, later on.

2) Loosen your grip on "ego," "I," and "self."

The sense of self is and integral part of nearly all human minds. There is an "I" in the head, directing "my" mind a bit, and directing "my" body a lot. "I" feel pain, "I" suffer, "I" feel joy and anxiety.

This sense of self is what we spend most of our time worrying about. Will "I" get laid off? "My" stomach aches. "I'm" stupid, etcetera. We all believe it exists - we cling very closely to it, and seek to defend it against all threats - yet, we have no evidence that it is actually there, in the brain.

"I" is a concept, not a real thing, and often, it gets in our way. We build up its strength by trying to protect it - by trying to protect it and appease it, we make it seem larger. While it's important to care about ourselves, it's also important to keep our concern for ourselves from making us unhappy.

Remembering that "I" is just a concept, not an actual thing in desperate need of protection, is a surefire way to increase your chance of feeling peaceful inside.

3) Only play your roles on the outside.

We all play roles. Some of us have dozens, mapped to every kind of situation. We take on roles like teacher, lover, parent, shopper, engineer, pilot, writer, partier, guest, host, son, daughter, fan, message board user, maid, and waiter. Every separate role, or identity, involves adopting particular attitudes and behaviors. In order to perform properly in our different roles, we often adopt our roles as parts of ourselves.

None of these roles are our true selves. Saying so is like saying that "Microsoft Word" is a computer. Our roles are like programs, executed when necessary, and shut down when no longer needed: they are not us. The only way to reconcile

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