May 16th, 2010 by rob white
The month of May is meditation month; what a great reminder that we are not our minds, but rather… we are independent beings who are able to take command of our minds. Your mind is your personal bio-computer, and it has the awesome ability to create.
I have learned that if I do not stay alert, my mind is a step ahead of me telling me what to think, say and do. A mind that is conditioned to tell you what to do cannot create anything new, it can only imitate. I remind myself of this daily. I choose to create newness in my life, not have my mind serve up pictures of my past and have me dancing like a marionette to old tunes.
Meditation is a fabulous way to take command of the mind. Meditation requires understanding the mechanics of the mind. The mind chatters incessantly unless you take direct control. The best way to take control is to practice reflecting deeply on one subject; that is all that meditation is about. When other ideas pop in, simply refocus you attention on the subject you have chosen. There is great power in this.
When you spend the time to meditate, you are able to create your future to unfold as you want it to. I encourage you to try it. Take baby steps. Begin with a few minutes and then expand your meditation time.
What might you meditate on that would change your life in ways that would please you?
1. More money.
2. Harmonious relationships.
3. A job promotion.
4. Taking that exotic vacation.
Watch out what you meditate about…. you just may get it!
This is cool. I practice sitting mediation everyday for 20 minutes. I think it is a great way to achieve inner peace and quiet the mind. I never really considered meditating on things I want to happen in my life. I could really use some meditation time on attracting more clients to me. I think the whole country should meditate on getting the economy on track. Maybe Obama can ask everybody to do it.
What a great reminder – ‘I am not my mind but separate from it and able to take command of it’. I can so get lost in my mind and think I have no other options. Thanks, rob
Rob, May has indeed been MY meditation month – a month of daily meditation and daily yoga. I usually don’t meditate on anything in particular – that’s interesting that you bring it up – I just meditate to calm down and feel centered and grounded and it is WONDERFUL especially for the hyper active moi.
I find, Farnoosh, that selecting one idea (and one idea only) and giving my mind over to that idea – offers me a sense of deep peace. If I try to meditate on nothing specific, everything in general floods my mind ( and I feel it). The mind is a restless mechanism, unless ruled in.
I am going to try that technique tonight when I meditate Rob…..
!
Now, to choose just one idea
Hi Rob,
I’m glad that May is meditation month!
I started meditating about 2-3 years ago and it has made a tremendous positive impact on my life. For example, I feel so much more relaxed during the day and I hear my inner guidance a lot more clearly.
I used to not think about anything while meditating. I would just be very calm and focus on my breathing. But lately I have started to visualize (and FEEL) what I want at the same time. I find that it is easiest for me to access the positive feelings that I’m trying to bring up during meditation.
I find, Greg, that when I just breath in and focus on my breathing, that I am thinking on one thing (and one thing only) … my breathing … I think the mind is like Zen philosophy teaches – like an agitated monkey, stung by a scorpion and drunk on alcohol. If we try to think about nothing – the mind goes wild! This is why I find it best to direct it toward one vision or one opinion or one thought, and stick to that vision, opinion or thought (as best as I can).
Hi Rob, like you said above, when I try to meditate on nothing, my mind goes wild too. I can’t stop thinking. That’s why I agree that when we focus on something, such as our breathing, then we can begin to enter a state of meditation where we become more conscious of our thinking and our emotions. Nice post as always Rob!
Yes, Hulbert … the trick to controlling one’s mind is stop pushing at it, but rather noticing what it is chattering about …. and then coaxing it toward the ‘point of focus’ that most fascinates you. That ‘point of focus’ can be something as simple as breathing in and out or as complex as inventing an ‘atom sweeper’.
Great post!Great Month and let the meditation flow.
Nice phrase, Richard …. ‘let the meditation flow’, because if it ain’t flowing, it ain’t meditation!
I find ‘baby step meditation’ works best for me. I try to to push it, my mind pushes back.
Sitting meditation makes me nervous. All I feel is anxious when I sit and meditate. The best thing I discovered was walking meditation. I do this daily to focus on what I am up to for the day or goals I am working on.
Hey Rob, I’ve actually just started meditating two weeks ago. I’m not gonna lie, it’s a struggle to make it routine… if I just do it longer, I’m sure it will eventually turn into habit
Have a great week buddy,
–Parker
Hi Parker … suggestion: when meditation feels like a struggle – drop it, and pick it up when it feels easier. A lot of folks try to force meditation. A mind that is forced against its will is of the same opinion still … it just doesn’t work in such moments.
“A mind that is forced against its will is of the same opinion still … it just doesn’t work in such moments.”–rob
Hey Rob… original advice. I don’t believe I’ve ever been told to drop anything before–well, it makes sense. Meditation is something that should just happen, not forced…
Cheers!
Hi Rob,
I love your thoughts regarding meditation. Especially to be aware that if we wish to grow (open ourselves to the new) we need to learn to use our minds to our benefit rather than detriment. This is what I take from your insightful words anyway.
I love that you, too, wish to re-create and expand rather than stay in the same familiar place.
Meditation is a great tool (oops, I accidentally wrote medication – interesting Freudian…coming from a medicationless person!).
Warm regards,
Lauren
I like that you are conscious of your freudian slips – they can offer great insights into how we have programmed our minds. Yes, meditation is a powerful method of creating change in our lives. Great ‘noticement’ Lauren
When I meditate too much I get a headache – I find tylenol helps me with that!
I have been practicing meditation ever since I had my mild stroke. It helps me keep my blood pressure stable (I believe)
I tried many times to meditate but the noise of my mind goes in the way. But I did try another form of meditation by allowing my thoughts to wonder. This happens when I go on a relaxing walk. As my mind is busy filling my thoughts, I try my best to be aware of what my mind is doing and override some aspects that I believe is not beneficial.
I would really love to have complete control of my mind, but the battle is very difficult. Still I need to master this because I want to see myself beyond outside the influence of my mind.
Ah Walter …. the challenge of calming the ‘jumping monkey’ nature of the mind. The voices in the mind are like a crowd of people in a room all trying to get their ‘two cents worth’ in. T’is a noble quest you are taking on, indeed.
Rob, you have so many wonderful posts! By the way I love the look of your site. It doesn’t have that cookie cutter Thesis theme everyone seems to have. It’s really unique and creative.
I’m particularly fond of this post – I’m a former meditation instructor. If I had my way meditation would be on the curriculum in all public schools.
Thank you for the compliment on the website, Angela. Nick, my resident artist, has a lot to do with that. Regarding the mind – no matter where you go, it seems the mind is one step ahead of you. If all students were taught to get one step ahead of the mind – WATCH OUT! What a marvelous life they will create.
Rob -
Meditation has become an increasingly important part of my life over the last few years and now I have a daily practice. I like open mind meditation because it allows me to observe the rushing thoughts in my mind. Over time, they diminish and I am able to hold an open space. I find meditation lets me detach from my thoughts, feelings, emotions and then accept them and choose how to respond. This ability to observe and choose is so liberating, it is changing my whole outlook on life. Keep spreading the word, brother!
Phil
It looks to me, Phil, that ‘between two thoughts’ there is a moment for consciousness alertness … and that is what you are seeking. Great aspiration. good job. Keep supporting the truth!
Hi Rob,
You have a wonderful site!
I was first introduced to meditation through yoga many years ago. I like your comment, the mind is ‘like an agitated monkey, stung by a scorpion and drunk on alcohol.’ I remember going into my first session stressed from traffic, irritated that I was cut off and the last parking spot was snagged from me, I was running late, etc. Over time I learned to turn all that unnecessary noise off! I enjoy focusing on my breath, clearing my thoughts — releasing and letting go.
Now, meditation easily moves to visualization. Manifesting is in the works
YES, Kim … when mediatation moves to felt visions, the manifestation is right around the corner. That, indeed, is the process of conscious creation. When the river rushes to the ocean it is a consequence of universal creation. When your self-talk becomes thoughts rushing to your ocean of visions – you tap into this universal power of creation.
Lovely analogies Rob. Much appreciated
keep on appreciating, Kim; appreciate the big thing and the little things in your life … because the more you appreciate, the more you attract more things to appreciate. Your smile tells me that you live your life that way.
Hi Rob,
How are you doing? Very thoughtful and I like the way you have mentioned the positives of meditation. Reading the positives should make one take out some time for meditation
By meditating we are increasing the positivity and the focused mindset. This is what will make a difference between success and failure.
Bye for now,
Cheryl
Thank you for reminding me that it is important to point out ‘the positives’ of everything we mindfully do, Cheryl. We can never focus too much on ‘the good’ that we get from daily self-imrovement methods. What we notice, we get – we cannot avoid that fact. Consciousness always grants us that of which we are conscious.
Dear Rob, This is delightful!! Many people write about meditation, but often by the time one is done reading it they are so up in their heads, overwhelmed and fatigued that the last thing they want to do is meditate! LOL! However, your description of meditation is WONDERFUL! I love it. With my book coming out this fall and flying to NY next week to sign galleys, I have picked up my chi-gong again and am only doing a very simple practice (one that doesn’t seem a burden), but I’ve noticed a big difference in how I sleep and that I let down more easily at the end of a very busy day.
What I love about this post is the simplicity and EASE that you lend meditation. I believe that’s how it should be. Often meditation for me is doing something that I love doing SO much that I forget myself, like nature photography. I don’t think I have a thought in my head when I am photographing nature. It is pure bliss. There are actually many things that I love doing SO much that I forget myself in this way. But when my work schedule doesn’t allow me to do them as often then something like chi-gong is very good.
Also, I just LOVED your comment on my blog. It really touched me. I’ve responded to it here: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/finding-your-way-home/
You are a delight to communicate with, Robin. Clearly you are committed to making a difference in the world, and you are learning how to manage your mind so it supports serve you with this. When you get lost in a labor of love – all other thoughts fall away. It seems you are experiencing that more and more. great job, rob
I find it very frustrating to meditate. I prefer to sing a song and let my mind settle on that.
Nice article Rob,
Meditation is one of the best exercises we can do. It helps us to clear our thoughts and concentrate on our goals.
Thanks for sharing
Yes, Dia … meditation is a great way to rid the mind of junk-thoughts that are messing up your creative visions.
Hi Rob
What a great phrase – “Your mind is your personal bio-computer”
I can imagine that in the future we will actually have artificial bio computers – you could be the next Arthur C Clarke. LOL
I did a course on Transcendental Meditation many years ago and I still practise on a daily basis.
I’d recommend TM to anyone, if you can afford it, but there are many forms of meditation, which are just as good.
Indeed, Keith .. TM is a fabulous means of regaining control of the mind. I appreciate that you are open to other forms of meditation. Meditation is also about opening the mind to newness when it gets caught up in too much mechanical chattering.
I have begun meditating on thoughts of undisturbable peace. I love the idea of feeling peace of mind no matter how hectic the world may be.
Peace of mind, Carol, is the ultimate state of being where true power to create lies.
May is meditation month and the most fabulous month for spring to bloom in Vermont. That is worth celebrating about.
It is always fun to rave about ‘blooming spring’, Bunny
I have been a practicer of TM for years. It has changed my life.
I love that you did not quit TM after the month of May BiminyK
Babe Ruth practiced TM …. he had his own special method
What specifically is the practice of TM? Is it any different than sitting and placing your focus on your breathing in and out?
TM is incredibly simple and is practiced twice daily for 10 to 20 minutes to be effective. It soothes the fiery mind, Don
I’ve had a great weekend, remaining alert to what I thought about and what I did. Wow is that invigorating!