So you’ve had some time to write down lists of thoughts that you believe are preventing you from meditating. Maybe a longer time to observe these than I anticipated in this blog post. These may or may not be thoughts that prevent you from being mindful. I would argue that these thoughts are an important developmental step in the path of becoming more mindful. The term mindfulness is derived from the Pali term sati which translates roughly as “to remember” and maybe more appropriately “to be mindful.” In my opinion, this is very important because it can easily appear as though mindfulness is a trait that one posses rather than a practice that one engages in. Exploring this suggests that mindfulness is something that one does rather being a characterological component of who one is.
It is not unusual to experience intrusive thoughts about one’s ability when trying to direct one’s attention. These thoughts are often outside your ability to actively control them. The topic of free will and one’s ability to control their thoughts is a different topic entirely. One need not dive deep into this topic to recognize that during attempts to focus one’s attention it is exceptionally difficult to prevent oneself from having intrusive thoughts. As with many other skills, practicing skills that promote mindfulness progressively transform the experience.
Becoming more mindful may not be for everyone. There is evidence to suggest that mindfulness activities could make certain conditions like PTSD, chronic pain, and others get worse. Sometimes the cultural values or religious beliefs of individuals conflict with elements of meditation or mindfulness. It is important to recognize that mindfulness, although supported by research, is not the answer for all people and certainly is not an answer for all things.
Does Mindfulness Help?
From time to time it is common for one to observe that they are living their life in a detached manner. This experience is often described as, “going through the motions.” Rather than being the driving force behind your everyday, your everyday drives you. This can lead to depression, may be caused by depression, it can lead to anxiety if the thoughts that rule you relate to obstacles, and it can leave one feeling somewhat detached from the experience of simply being. Learning mindfulness might help you get more out of your life.
Working With Thoughts Instead of Against them
A foundational skill, in my opinion, is shifting from a perspective of judgement or analysis to a perspective of pure observation. Imagine the power to observe your thoughts as they occur rather than to always allow them control the experience. I use a theme of performance regarding these intrusive thoughts. A typical thought, lets say, “Am I doing this right?” One might have this thought and then assess one’s own performance, use it as justification to stop, as evidence they are flawed, and the list continues. This is what happens when one allows every fleeting thought to take up space, rent free. And when you can’t control those thoughts in the first place, it simply means you aren’t in control.
One particular skill that helps facilitate this transition from being a judge to an observer is learning to observe your thoughts. Recognizing the occurrence of the thought and the content of thought but not allowing the thought to shift your intention by engaging in the thought. Next time you are taking a moment to do something whether it is reading, having a conversation, or even meditating, practice observing the thought. Identify the thought, recognize the content of the thought, and practice not engaging with the thought itself.
Often observing the thought is enough to bring one’s intention from the content of thought to the experience of observation. This allows you the freedom to address the content of the thought on your own terms. Some people may need to engage in a different practice in order to achieve this effect. For those where this process isn’t effective, it sometimes helps to approach in a more curious manner. Practice observing thoughts in the same manner and then explore common themes. For instance, it is curious why intrusive thoughts about performance and the experience are very common when we are doing something unfamiliar.
Themes surrounding these thoughts are often more informative and actionable than the thoughts themselves. These techniques are not, themselves, mindfulness, but they support elements of mindfulness and facilitate being mindful. The next blog will be about the breath using breath to promote relaxation.
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