Your mind is a very powerful place. Don't underestimate the shit it can do to you!
BUT ... you can also manage & direct your mind so that you're not a victim to its whims.
So that you can decide where your mind goes, where it rests, what it believes, which perspectives it takes.
Who wants to learn how? 💁🏼♀️💁🏾💁🏽♀️💁🏽
Basically, it starts with meditation. You may have seen if you’ve ever tried to meditate that your mind wanders. The task in meditation is to catch it and gently guide it back. It’s important in that moment to have an anchor to come back to - your breath works great. I think it’s also helpful to have something to say (this is why people recite mantras during meditation). I like to say “IN,” “OUT,” as I breathe. Innnnn …. Ouuuuttt .. .Innnn .. Ouuutttt …
The anchor is a key part of meditation. Your brain likes to wander and it needs something to latch onto, to land on.
Start with practicing that. Slow down, take some deep breaths, have the intention of quieting down, connecting with yourself. As you start to breathe, say “In” “Out” to yourself alongside your breath. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your anchor.
Start with a minute, then go to 2. Maybe you get up to 5.
NEXT …
I think one of the most important parts of mediation is its application off the cushion and into your real life.
What you’ve started to practice in meditation is recognizing when your mind is thinking about something you don’t want it to be thinking about and purposely redirecting your attention back to something else that you DO want to be thinking about.
"Oh shoot I’m thinking about my To Do List, shit how long have I been doing that for? Oh well, ok start again, go back to my breath. In, Out, In, Out.” And then it will happen again and you’ll do the same thing again.
Similarly, during your day, maybe you catch yourself thinking something negative, something self-critical, something that provokes anxiety. Same as you do during meditation, you catch yourself, “Oh, I don’t need to be thinking about that right now.” And come back to your anchor. Could be your breath In, Out. Could be your stomach rising and falling. Could be looking outside the window at the trees swaying in the breeze. Could be touching something soft or comforting. Anything that brings your attention back to the present and away from the undesirable thought. Really focus on it. Put your attention and your awareness there. Look, feel, notice, observe.
And Voilà! You’ve done it - you’ve redirected your attention away from the nonsense and into the present. You may have to do this 100 times a day, but it will become more natural and eventually the other voice will quiet down and you’ll find more peace and comfort in your anchor / in the present.
Good luck!!! 🧡
Image: @_ben.olive_
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