What makes you happy? What makes you unhappy? How much of your chi do you spend on what makes you happy verses what makes you unhappy? Now I'm not just talking about what you do but rather what you're thinking about.
I caught a piece on CBC News last night on mindfulness meditation for medicinal purposes. I meditated daily for many years and can attest to a much calmer and more spacious state of mind with the practice. I don't happen to meditate as a rule anymore though I have many meditative moments. My mind (and body for that matter) is much quieter these days and I tend to use a questioning technique rather than a meditative one when I do find myself agitated for any reason. I suspect all those years of meditation have helped me to be able to be still internally so that I can notice what I'm thinking so they likely go hand in hand.
I know people with very busy minds who find no peace and no clarity because it is too difficult to sort out all the thoughts racing around in there. That's one way to be in life; nothing wrong with it, it's just another way of being and as I wrote about yesterday, it will go on until it is time for something else if indeed that time comes at all. When we take the judgment out about the way it should be it really is easy to see how it all works out either way for whatever experience one is meant to have at any given moment.
If it's time for you to have a more spacious experience in your thinking you might give mindfulness meditation a shot or even simply take a few minutes each day to breath and relax and just notice what kind of thoughts are floating around in there without judging them. You might be surprised.
Here are basic instructions for Mindfulness Meditation that may be useful:
How to Try Mindfulness Meditation
1. Find a quiet and comfortable place. Sit in a chair or on the floor with your head, neck and back straight but not stiff.
2. Try to put aside all thoughts of the past and the future and stay in the present.
3. Become aware of your breathing, focusing on the sensation of air moving in and out of your body as you breathe. Feel your belly rise and fall, the air enter your nostrils and leave your mouth. Pay attention to the way each breath changes and is different.
4. Watch every thought come and go, whether it be a worry, fear, anxiety or hope. When thoughts come up in your mind, don't ignore or suppress them but simply note them, remain calm and use your breathing as an anchor.
5. If you find yourself getting carried away in your thoughts, observe where your mind went off to, without judging, and simply return to your breathing. Remember not to be hard on yourself if this happens.
6. As the time comes to a close, sit for a minute or two, becoming aware of where you are. Get up gradually.
Sources:
Kabat-Zinn J. Mindfulness Meditation: Health benefits of an ancient Buddhist practice. Mind/Body Medicine, eds. Goleman D, Gurin J. New York 1993. Consumer Reports Books, 259-275.
Enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment