Living in Awareness – Day 7
Yes, the mind may stay busy. It may go ‘over here’ or ‘over there,’ and take you with it, but rather than doing that, just watch the busy-ness. If you see yourself beginning to engage or participate with the busy-ness, stop, and go back to observing the mind. It is that simple. Remember, you have habitually participated with the mind your whole life, and now you are doing it a different way; it is going to take some practice. Also, it is worth noting, if the mind happens to throw out a thought that you have greatly participated with in the past, it may take more effort to not participate with it in the present moment. Do not give up, just begin to observe, and the more that you observe, and the longer you observe, the less hold that series of thoughts is going to have on you. Also, as you are observing the thoughts, you are also observing the feelings that those thoughts are creating inside your body. Remember, your thoughts and feelings are transient; they pass on their own accord, but you are not your mind, nor are you the thoughts that pass through the mind, or the feelings that those thoughts create.
Here are some tips that will help you begin a meditation practice:
Meditate regularly. Don’t just meditate when you are feeling stressed or sick or wanting to figure out what to do about something. Meditate when things are going smoothly and easily, too.
Be comfortable. You don’t have to sit cross-legged or any other particular way. If you are comfortable sitting up, do so, but if that is not conducive for you, just get into a comfortable position. Remember to keep your spine comfortably straight. You may find it easier, especially starting out, to lie down to meditate. If you do, you will probably find a pillow under your head and neck, and one under your knees will make you more comfortable and relaxed. Also, it is beneficial to wear loose or comfortable clothing while meditating; be as comfortable as possible.
