Meditation & a Wandering Mind

For the times when you sit down to practice and your mind feels like a wandering mess. Pulled in every direction, gravitating towards every distraction. The minutes pass by & you realize “I’ve literally been thinking this entire time. There’s no way I’m doing this right.”

In dedication of those times, we’re bringing to light today's topic… meditation & a wandering mind.

A radical notion: 

It doesn’t really matter. If your mind wanders, if you only paid attention to one single breath. It doesn’t matter. Truthfully.

The technical definition of meditation (taught to me by my teacher davidji) is ‘slowly quieting the fluctuations of the mind’.

Note ‘slowly quieting’. Not ‘getting rid of’. Because, unless you’re a monk, that idealogy is not condusive to real life. You’re not going to stop the thoughts from coming. That in itself would be like commanding waves to stop crashing along the shore. You can interupt, intercept and change direction...but you cannot stop.

Your thoughts make up your life, it only makes sense that they would be right there with you when you’re meditating as well. 

The definition I’ve come to use is that meditation is, really simply put, creating some space. 

If you can slow down to a physical stop, pausing just long enough to listen...then you’re doing it right.

When you think, you begin to process. On both a subconscious and conscious level. Internal processing is a really healthy, important thing. We tend to be in constant motion, so it’s rare we get the chance to be so still.

If contemplation and only catching one breath because you’ve been processing the things that are going on in your life is what you find in your pause, then so be it. If focused attention on the feelings you’ve been surrounded by is what you find within the walls of your stillness, let it be just that.

The rest will come. The quietness of the mind. The anxiety that eventually subsides. The patience that builds. That will all come, in time.

I think that so much comes from reframing as well. Acknowledging the abundance of opportunities that constantly flow your way. Your functioning brain. The safety of your atmosphere, that same safety that allows your eyes to remain closed without worry. Your beating heart. 

It’s a good thing that you’re thinking. Really, it is. It’s something to be thankful for. 

So; are you slowing down? Are you breathing? Are you listening?

In all the times you’ve shown up to meditate, the answer is yes. That in itself is enough. 

I challenge you to be okay with where your meditation practice is at.

Most importantly, let it meet you where you’re at - wandering mind & all. 

Find widsom in the places your mind takes you. She can show you a lot, if you’re willing to look.

xo, jewels