If you have ever tried to go out and about maintaining a close eye on your thoughts, you might have realized that it's trickier than what it sounds like.
Thoughts like this will begin appearing: Am I thinking the right thoughts? Am I thinking about thinking? Is thinking about not thinking a thought? Is not thinking possible when I am thinking about not thinking? God I'm thinking too much!
Sometime ago I found myself in that scenario and it was kind of difficult to bear it. As a result I took the decision that I would be the most mindful person ever, and it led me into facing a war with my own mind and thoughts
The Monkey Mind
Thoughts can be sneaky little creatures that either make our day fabulous, or they drive us mad. The latter effect is known as the monkey mind and it is no surprise why.
The monkey mind is basically an untrained mind. It will swing around from thought to thought in an endless cycle. Like Tarzan on steroids!
This becomes a problem when we are not capable of controlling the monkey. So, how do we deal with it?
Seeing Things As They Really Are
According to the Dhamma organization:
Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation.
Vipassana meditation is one of the most popular meditation techniques out there. If you are at least slightly interested in meditation it's probably because you heard something about Vipassana.
The main pillar of Vipassana meditation is objective observation. To objectively observe means to engage with your surroundings without labeling things with your mind. This is how things can be seen for what they really are.
Observation focuses on two separate things:
- Outside the self: everything that can be felt with your senses.
- Inside the self: everything that can be felt without the senses (e.g. emotions and thoughts).
Different approaches to the meditative state can help you integrate both very easily.
Neutrality Of Thoughts
The most difficult part comes when we engage with our thoughts. As part of the Western culture, we are not taught what thoughts are and how to use them effectively. I will probably talk about this in later posts.
As described at the beginning, thought cycles can be sometimes unbearable. The most effective way to have a clear mind is to practice meditation on a daliy basis. This will make you realize that you shouldn't be at war with your thoughts.
Thoughts are not the enemy; so don't be overly concerned by them.
The struggle always arises when we want to have control over our thoughts. Wanting to have a clear mind, or a positive mind all the time will only make it harder.
This means that there are no wrong or right thoughts. This is simething I had hard time understanding. It is easy to start judging thoughts when people say you should have a clear and positive mind all the time.
The more you judge thoughts the more you will be concerned about them. This will lead you to overthink about what should be in your head. And that is exactly the opposite of mindfulness.
Awareness Is The Key!
The solutions is to simply be aware about what you are thinking at any given moment. The actual thought doesn't really matter. What matters is to have the ability of being aware of your thoughts as they go through your mind.
So if any given thought comes to your head you simply allow to be it there. Don't give it too much importance. Practicing this everyday will give you the tools to move to a more positive mind by choosing which thoughts to pay attention to and which not.
Any thoughts?
I should try meditating. Will be following for more tips and content regarding this. Thanks!
Definitely try. Thank you!