In the past few days I’ve encountered a few different people who say they’d like to meditate, but that their mind is too full of junk and chatter to allow them to settle down and meditate.
They’ve got this all backwards!
One of the benefits of regular meditation practice is that the mind begins to calm down. We sit, we focus on something (a mantra, a candle, our out-breath) and when we become aware that our mind has wandered, we label it ‘thinking’ and bring it back to the object of focus.
Over time, this training of our mind begins to have a positive effect in many areas of life: longer attention span, better focus on the main thing (whatever the main thing is for you) and a more generous attitude.
I sometimes wish I could sit with people who I hear saying this. Sit with me, here, hold my hand, close your eyes, and just, well, pause.
I saw this story yesterday: The Pause. (Well, they called it daydreaming, but it’s really meditation.) Think about how your life would change if you made the changes these school boys have made. Abandon the earplugs, which get you hyper-stimulated so that you can’t concentrate. Every time you change classes (or pick up a new task) take a few minutes to calm your mind, let go of what you were thinking about and make space for what you want to think about now.
A technique that’s powerful beyond expectation. Your mind responds hungrily to a call to calm.