Meditation — “A Quiet Mind”
We live in a complex and noisy world, where we have learned to be constantly thinking. We receive thousands of pieces of information every second and as a result, our mind continues to process and analyze even while we learning to find peace and calmness in our lives through meditation. In our culture a noisy mind is normal, we are used to searching for something to do. Constant stimulus is offered from our surroundings and the tools that we use to communicate with one another. Television, radio, computers and telephones keep us up to date with what is going on and are part of our everyday lives. We have been taught to think almost nonstop and through meditation we seek to find the gift of peace and quiet. Our minds have been trained to look for something to do, and with all of this noise a quiet mind may seem impossible, it is not, it simply takes some practice. Like anything new that we learn it may take a bit of time, but the rewards of a quiet mind are great. Peace in your life will give you the opportunity to rest, recuperate and regenerate. From this place of peace and reclaimed energy anything that you dream is possible.
The first thing we must do is put all of the devices on hold. We can come back to communicating with one another and staying informed on what is going on when we have finished taking a quiet break. It is only for a little while and we can catch up when we return. We will not miss anything by taking a short ten to twenty minute respite during our day. So turn off the ringer of your phone, cell phone, turn off the radio, the TV, and the computer. Everything will still be there when you return.
We must also find or create a soothing place where we will not be disturbed, somewhere quiet and peaceful. It is important to let those in our world know that we will return to them soon, and that we are taking some time for ourselves. They should understand, especially when we explain that we will have so much more to offer when we return refreshed. Close the door, or you can even hang a do-not-disturb sign to create this private time and place for yourself. Be sure that you are wearing comfortable clothes and that the temperature and light is right for you as well. Now, sitting in this quiet peaceful place, take some time to relax. If you find yourself adjusting or readjusting things in the beginning, be patient with yourself and take the time to be comfortable and to settle yourself.
Before we begin, here are a few things to understand as we practice allowing our mind to be quiet. First, as I mentioned, please be patient with yourself. This may be new to you, and learning anything new takes a little time. Second, honor and release any thoughts that do come up; I have found that by keeping any new thoughts simple, and not building a scenario out of them, they do not persist. It is helpful to take just a second or two to honor any thought that does come up enough to release it. Like small children new distracting thoughts can be persistent, by ignoring them and pushing them away they can become more insistent . Trying not to think can make quieting your mind much more difficult, instead honor and release each thought that does come up, telling it that you will come back to it later. Also, as you become calm you may want to watch your breath as it goes in and out of your lungs. Simply watching the breath can give your mind something to do as you relax.
So in review, find a quiet comfortable place where you will not be disturbed, turn off anything that will disturb you for 10-20 minutes. Tell others you will return shortly refreshed, thanking them for understanding your need for some private time. Remember, if any thoughts do come up keep them simple-honor and release them, watch your breath, and most important of all be patient with yourself as you learn to quiet your mind. Lastly if you fall asleep, you need the rest and that is alright too. Try another time of day or practice your meditation after you have had a nap, and remember to be patient with yourself. Practicing “a quiet mind” with Meditation Made Easier will help you to find the peaceful calmness that is the greatest gifts of mediation.
