Transforming The Wandering Mind
Meditation is the reversal of the process that establishes our habitual tendencies. Consequently, the establishment of habitual tendencies is due to the repetition of similar thoughts. If we are able to refrain from following these thoughts, thus stopping the process of creating and building them up, the reversal of the formation process begins to free us from the habit. The mind will then return to its original, pure ground. Because delusion arises from the mind, the original purity of the mind can be recovered by removing the delusion. Apply the ways of the enemy against the enemy. Meditation is a very effective method of dissolving habitual tendencies. Through focused meditation, the practitioner continually disengages from wandering thought. These thoughts, when ignored, will gradually be deprived of their strength.
Practitioners are occasionally surprised to notice wandering thoughts, and will ask, "Why do I have so many wandering thoughts during meditation?" The fact is that meditation does not create more wandering thoughts. However, due to the lack of gross phenomena for the mind to grasp, the outward-driven phenomena-seeking tendency, which is still active, will be manifested in the form of chaotic, wandering thoughts. [...]
During meditation, the mind cannot grasp external phenomena, so it becomes more aware of previously unknown activities in the deeper level of the I-consciousness. This is the reason that the sustained practice of meditation will cultivate and deepen awareness, and gradually reduce wandering thoughts. For example, when we want to distance ourselves from certain friends or relationships, we simply reduce the occasions and time we spend with them until eventually they disappear from our lives. We should handle wandering thoughts in much the same way. By gradually withdrawing the habit of following up on wandering thoughts, they will eventually disappear due to a lack of attention. [...]
To transform thoughts is to focus on the method while remaining undisturbed by wandering thoughts. The energy that is normally given to unconscious thinking is redirected to the conscious application of the method. The foundation of any spiritual practice is the application of a method in order to transform the scattered, wandering thoughts into a focused "single-pointed placement of the mind."
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you relate to the notion of distancing ourselves from our wandering thoughts? Can you share a personal experience of a time when you became deeply aware of wandering thoughts? What methods have worked for you to get to a single-pointed placement of the mind?
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22 Past Reflections
On Apr 29, 2014 Michael Nagler wrote :
Folks may want to check out www.easwaran[dot]org. A great system for stopping those wandering thoughts from squandering our energy!
1 reply: Gyan | Post Your Reply
On Apr 29, 2014 Amit wrote :
As human being brought up in this competitive world, we are confused and egoistic. By force of our habit we are stuck in wandering thoughts one after another in endless sequence. We can not control and we can't distance our self from these wandering thoughts. Learning to welcome them gracefully and observing it without any judgement is still within our scope. Let us not look for any method and let us not try to get to a single-pointed placement of mind. Let us remain at ease and in relaxed in these vast consciousness without exhausting and exerting.
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On Apr 29, 2014 JJ wrote :
What I have started to do is to observe my thoughts with compassion to myself and to the people about whom I am thinking. That seems to be make me more mindful and peaceful. May you all be peaceful, loving, happy and in harmony.
1 reply: Blessings | Post Your Reply
On Apr 29, 2014 zohara wrote :
the question arise there is any fix time of meditation
3 replies: Rakesh, Conrad, Me | Post Your Reply
On Apr 29, 2014 Sanaya wrote :
Meditation calms my entire day. I find myself with more energy - perhaps because the energy that was utilised while following destructive thoughts is now channeled into my daily activities. Meditation also helps me to control my own actions - if I find myself at a fork in the road, and I am in the present moment, I am able to veer towards the peaceful side.
2 replies: Rakesh, Lfm | Post Your Reply
On Apr 27, 2014 david doane wrote :
2 replies: Syd, David | Post Your Reply
On Apr 26, 2014 Kristin Pedemonti wrote :
Mindful meditation has helped me to further accept whatever thoughts are there and not judge them. A favorite tip I read was to picture your wandering thoughts as clouds in the sky passing by so as not to become "stuck" on them, just observe them.
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On Apr 25, 2014 Jagdish P Dave wrote :
1 reply: Yash | Post Your Reply
On Apr 25, 2014 Conrad P Pritscher wrote :
I have been meditating for almost 24 years and I still have many wandering thoughts and habits. I find when I am noticing what is happening in the present moment, and I notice wandering thoughts and habits, they can more easily disappear. If they stay I think it would be good if I would notice that they are staying. noticing what is happening and accepting what is happening is more of a key to mindful living than any particular method for reaching something that is not yet present. Methods can be useful but if overly focused on methods they can become a future goal moving one away from the present.. I believe there is "no knowledge, no attainment and no realization for there is nothing to attain." Present mindfulness is both the method and the goal making the journey and destination one. Thanks for the opportunity to respond. Warm and kind regards to everyone.