Dealing with thoughts

DAAJI dispels the myth that thoughts in meditation are bad, and helps us understand how to accept our thoughts in a constructive way, eventually leading to periods of thoughtlessness.

Dear friends,

One of the most common complaints we hear from newcomers to meditation is, “I’ll never be able to meditate well, as my mind is so busy with thoughts. How can I focus with such an active mind?”

In fact, rarely does anyone start a meditation practice with a regulated mind, otherwise why would we need to learn to meditate? It’s like saying we need to know how to swim before we can get in the water to learn to swim – it takes practice! The outcome of regular meditation practice is a balanced, carefree, focused mind.

The natural function of the mind is to think

The natural function of the mind is to think. Thinking is necessary to live and to make wise decisions. Thoughts are not the enemy. The best approach is to accept them. The mind is a powerful instrument and will not be subdued by force. If you try to use force to dispel thoughts or push them down, it will be counterproductive, for once that force is lifted, the disturbing thoughts will come back a thousandfold. When you fight with your thoughts, they become stronger.

So, don’t try to avoid thoughts, during meditation or at other times. Simply remain unmindful of them, and do not harbor the expectation that “I must have a thoughtless state.” When you are watching a film, reading a book, or focusing on a particular task, are you disturbed by other thoughts? Usually not. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have them. You are not attentive to them because what’s happening at the time is taking your attention and interest.

The same thing happens during meditation. When you are more interested in the light in your heart, other thoughts no longer bother you. Only if you give them attention do they draw power from you and remain, constantly nagging.

Sometimes, you will experience really intense thoughts and emotions during meditation, and this can be unsettling. The reason this happens is that you repress these thoughts and feelings in the normal course of your days. You push them down into the recesses of your subconscious. But that doesn’t get rid of them, and they remain within you, coloring your experiences and shaping your behavior in subtle and not so subtle ways. During meditation, these thoughts rise to the surface, like air bubbles in a pot of boiling water. 

When you are more interested 
in the light in your heart, 
other thoughts no longer bother you. 
Only if you give them attention 
do they draw power from you and
remain, constantly nagging.

Rest assured, they are in the process of leaving, so try to pay them no heed. They have been inside you all along, even though you weren’t aware of their presence. You create space when you meditate and they start coming out. They are better out than in! During meditation you become aware of them. 

Thoughts come only to leave, so let them come and go 

So, simply let your thoughts flow, although that doesn’t mean you should indulge them. We often indulge both negative thoughts that worry us and good thoughts that impress us. It is never good because it reinforces them, creating more heaviness in our systems. If a thought does keep recurring, despite your best efforts, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” Otherwise, be unmindful of all thoughts during meditation, regardless of their nature.

How? When you realize your attention has wandered, remind yourself that your thoughts are passing like clouds in the sky and gently return your attention to the light in your heart.

Order can only be brought into the mind’s busy-ness in the subtlest manner.

A time comes when you will enter a state of thoughtlessness during meditation. This will happen when you dive into the subtlest realms of consciousness.

Through the complementary effects of the daily Heartfulness Meditation and Heartfulness Cleaning methods, you will bring the heart to a peaceful state and the mind to a restful one. Once this is achieved, you will naturally be able to regulate your thoughts. Try it and see for yourself.

Meditation is much more effective once you have been introduced to the Heartfulness practices by a certified trainer. You can find and contact a trainer near you at www.heartspots.heartfulness.org. 

All the best, 
Daaji