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The roaming mind
Deshy
Veteran
Lately I have been having trouble quieting my mind. I use the method of just watching the mind and the thoughts and when I do that the thoughts gradually fade and stop but the second I slip they start coming back again. By the time I finally realize that my mind is at it again I have spent many minutes with pools of thoughts.
This is not only when I am meditating but during the daytime as well. I find it absolutely difficult to meditate like this. Most of these thoughts take the form of paranoid fantasies where I imagine my mum dying, falling or my sister getting killed or the house getting robbed etc.
How do you suggest I handle this please? What methods do you use to calm your mind?
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This is not only when I am meditating but during the daytime as well. I find it absolutely difficult to meditate like this. Most of these thoughts take the form of paranoid fantasies where I imagine my mum dying, falling or my sister getting killed or the house getting robbed etc.
How do you suggest I handle this please? What methods do you use to calm your mind?
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Comments
other than that i'd say just remain diligent in your meditation, and practice single-pointedly.
I'll re-focus on the breath passing through my nostrils, imagining I'm inhaling pure white light, and exhaling black smoke. Or concentrating on the beating of my heart in my chest; while also being aware of my breathing; also helps.
But I think the most important thing that I have to remember is not to try to hard and that for me - at present - the most important thing is to ensure I do the meditation regularly and not to judge it.
As I say, I've only been meditating for about six months now, so I'm far from being an expert.
This is the first in a series of about 14 short meditation videos which you might find helpful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd7a9Ur2x0o
Kind regards,
Dazzle
You are to me because it is just two months since I started meditating
Thanks a lot for the link Dazzle. I have actually gone through that set already; interested in the thai forest tradition and I really enjoy listening to Ajhan Jayasaro
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We can all have busy minds - so don't worry about having too many thoughts - and when you notice them, just gently bring your attention back with the breath.
Perhaps regular shorter sessions would be best for the moment . You can always use a timer to end each session.
There are some audios here about meditation which might also be of interest.
http://www.what-buddha-taught.net/audio_files.htm
.
Deshy
Some good advice already above.
Just to add: Don't think you are doing anything 'wrong'. The fact that you have noticed this is already very good, how many people live their entire lives like this with no such awareness, no such mindfulness.
In meditation, sometimes it is like this. Some teachers recommend breath counting or at least awareness, others don't. Whatever your practice is, just continue, thinking you are doing something wrong is a beginners' mistake when in fact what you say is fine. Meditation can have many different qualities, but continuing it through the many experiences, can produce blossoms, although this is not an experience in itself.
Best wishes,
Abu
This will help you develope a calm abiding. You cannot be calm if you are disturbed. You will always have thoughts. Period.
Blessings ....
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