24/10/2022
Beautiful explanation of from Cory Muscara! (caption ⬇️)
“Isn’t it a much more valuable use of your time to learn to BE with thoughts in a way that is wise, spacious, & grounded?
Rather than constantly feeling at war with your mind?
That’s been my insight.
And that’s the perspective of mindfulness meditation.
Thoughts are a part of what it means to be human.
So, instead of fighting the waves, learn how to surf.”
Have you struggled to clear your mind in meditation?
Here's what you're doing wrong...
Nothing.
I've spent over 10,000 hours in meditation.
On many silent retreats.
And in many quiet, distraction-free, dimly-lit closets.
The longest I've gone without a thought is maybe 48 seconds.
It's possible I just suck at meditation, yes.
But it’s also possible that, as a culture, we have an overly simplistic, caricatured version of what meditation is.
I’m going to run with that one for now.
Because here’s what any meditation teacher who is worth their salt will tell you:
Meditation is not about stopping your mind from thinking.
It’s about learning to understand the impermanent, impersonal nature of thoughts so that your sense of self isn’t reduced to a momentary mental storyline.
This is another way of saying: You meditate to develop wisdom.
And wisdom is what sets you free.
And here’s why this is so important:
Let’s just say you COULD clear your mind in meditation.
How much would that actually help you in your daily life?
Sure, you may feel very peaceful during your practice.
But as soon as you get off the cushion, you need to make decisions, drive your car, plan your life.
All of which require you to THINK.
So, if your peace is only contingent upon the absence of thought, do you really have peace?
Isn’t it a much more valuable use of your time to learn to BE with thoughts in a way that is wise, spacious, & grounded?
Rather than constantly feeling at war with your mind?
That’s been my insight.
And that’s the perspective of mindfulness meditation.
Thoughts are a part of what it means to be human.
So, instead of fighting the waves, learn how to surf.
To get started, try this:
🔹 CHOICELESS AWARENESS: Observe thoughts as if you were watching clouds pass through the sky. You don't judge the clouds for being big or small, dark or light. You just watch them coming and going.
🔹 DIS-IDENTIFICATION: When your mind is noisy, listen to it as if you were eavesdropping on someone’s conversation in the coffee shop. You hear the same content, but it's less personal. Almost like your brain is having a conversation with itself.
🔹 CURIOSITY over CONTRACTION: When a thought arises, say, “Hey mind! I wonder what you're going to think next??” This will cultivate playful interest rather than fearful bracing.
🔹 MENTAL NOTING: When a thought arises, just silently say to yourself, "Thinking, thinking" regardless of the content of the thought. This helps you name the experience for what it is--Mental activity arising and passing in the mind.
These are simple strategies to shift you from IDENTIFICATION to OBSERVATION.
And if you are able to observe your thoughts, then it means who you are is separate, or at the very least, bigger than your thinking mind.
Hope this helps 🙏
Big love,
Cory
