Many people never meditate because they struggle with a racing mind. If you think you can’t meditate because your mind is always busy, it’s just not true. In fact, the opposite is true. A busy mind means you are the perfect candidate for meditation.
Imagine you are on a whitewater rapids trip. Ahead you see dangerous Class 5.0 rapids. The surface of the river is analogous to the activity of the mind. You cannot win a fight against wild, untamed rapids.
You can however, rest comfortably on the shore and watch the beauty of the rapids pass by.
Remember that during meditation. Thoughts are not an obstacle. Just as rapids are part of a river, your thoughts are part of you. They’re normal. In meditation, you move to a relaxed spot on the riverbank, where you can watch your thoughts go by.
And on this steady ground, you aren’t swept up and away by them.
Insights:
Today’s Meditation for Life session was an eye-opener for me – the reference to being on the river’s roiled surface, tossing and turning in turmoil, and then sinking below that surface to the peaceful waters below pointed out that we have that ability to simply make an adjustment to allow peace to happen. I live by the ocean, so my reference includes the surface waves buffeting me, and then sinking to that beautiful place to listen to the song of the whales. – Kathleen
Next Steps:
What are your takeaways from Part 1 of the Meditation for Life 3-part series?
Comment below or go to the Facebook group and share your joy, challenges, or ah-has you experienced after meditation.
In the next module, you’ll learn how to overcome three major obstacles so they don’t limit or slow you down in your meditation practice.
my mind just cannot relax
Hi Patricia, I hear you. It really takes a lot of time to get your mind to slow down. But I guarantee you, if you put in the time to create a meditation habit, you will find a place in yourself that is free from the constant maelstrom in your mind. It’s true of every human being…we all have this place of perfect stillness within us. But we’ve spent our whole lives identifying with the movement in our minds and it takes time to shift our identification away from that part of ourselves to a different part of ourselves. That’s what the process and practice of meditation is all about. First we need to learn how to sit still and relax. Then we need to have an experience of that quiet still place within to give us faith. And then we need to practice diligently over time to increase our confidence in and relationship to that place of perfect stillness within. It’s a process that takes time but it’s well worth it. Please let me know if you have any questions at all.
I love the analogy of the rapids -and how we just relax on the shore and watch them go by. Listening to water is very relaxing for me – while being is fierce waters clearly wouldnt be. Accepting that our mind is still working without holding on to the thoughts is an easier concept than trying to clear the mind – which always leads to failure!
Thanks Corinne – So glad this resonated with you!
I feel like this just might be the program that I have needed for a long time. I look forward to the next section.
Hey Randy – that’s great to hear! Please keep me posted!
I am definitely the fish that is flopping around in the water just trying to get out. I’m so glad that I found this today and I’m looking forward to the podcasts… loving your approach so far❤️
Hi Kathy! Thanks so much for the feedback and I’m thrilled to hear that it’s hitting all the right notes for you.
I have been meditating for 4 years now. This past year I found it difficult to keep a daily routine. I would have a good week or two then nothing. I good day and then I miss days, plus I am very interested in starting my own practice.
In my search to make this happen, reconnect again and continue my meditation, I found you. I am very pleased to have for this and look forward to the value this will have for me.
Thank you, Namaste.
Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing, Kameo!