This week and next week, I want to talk to you about how to manage distractions during meditation.
One of the most common myths and misunderstandings about meditation is that it's about emptying your mind. It's not.
One type of meditation seeks to focus the mind; be it on a breath or on a mantra – a phrase – or on an object such as a candle.
If you're doing this type of meditation, when you notice your mind has wandered – because it will, because the mind does, because that's the way it is – simply notice, relax and bring it gently back to the focus of today's meditation – let's say it's your breath.
So, it's rather like training a puppy who's used to wandering off all over the show, and that's just what puppies do, it's just what your mind does.
There's nothing wrong with it, it's normal, but you are training it, so when you notice it has wandered, take a breath, relax more deeply and gently return your awareness, your focus of attention, back to the breath.
It doesn't matter if you have to do it ten times during meditation, fifteen times, a hundred times – it really doesn't matter. What matters is that you are gentle with yourself, that you keep relaxing, and when you notice that your mind has wandered, bring it back.
Do pass this onto your friends.
I look forward to seeing you next week.
Relax, enjoy your meditations, you're doing just fine.
Have a good week.
Jasmine
One type of meditation seeks to focus the mind; be it on a breath or on a mantra – a phrase – or on an object such as a candle.
If you're doing this type of meditation, when you notice your mind has wandered – because it will, because the mind does, because that's the way it is – simply notice, relax and bring it gently back to the focus of today's meditation – let's say it's your breath.
So, it's rather like training a puppy who's used to wandering off all over the show, and that's just what puppies do, it's just what your mind does.
There's nothing wrong with it, it's normal, but you are training it, so when you notice it has wandered, take a breath, relax more deeply and gently return your awareness, your focus of attention, back to the breath.
It doesn't matter if you have to do it ten times during meditation, fifteen times, a hundred times – it really doesn't matter. What matters is that you are gentle with yourself, that you keep relaxing, and when you notice that your mind has wandered, bring it back.
Do pass this onto your friends.
I look forward to seeing you next week.
Relax, enjoy your meditations, you're doing just fine.
Have a good week.
Jasmine
