Ok, so I’ve gone through a little epiphany. I’ve gone through waves of depression and hopelessness throughout my life. I know everyone has. Up until a few months ago I didn’t have an EFFECTIVE weapon against this. I emphasize EFFECTIVE because I had some weapons. Booze, video games, socializing, drugs. Nothing really lasted long or at worst (with booze and drugs) the bad effects were just doubled afterwards.
So I continued to search for answers. I’d heard about Buddhist monks and zen masters that could seemingly let anything happen around them and keep the same calm due to meditation practices. If you ask them, this is due to them being able to be completely present. Not taking any mind to the past or the future. Simply dealing with what is in front of them. Well and great, but I don’t have the years of solitude to dedicate to meditating on a hillside. Was it possible to create a solution that fit for me?
After listening to (way more than) a few audiobooks on mindfulness, Buddhism, and happiness it finally clicked as to what I needed to do as a neurotic busy body to gain the benefits I desired in a simple straight forward way. I’ll try to summarize the main points below. These are by no means new, just the way I managed to understand what needed to be done.
Meditation doesn’t need to be long, but the process needs to include the following main points.
- Be with your thoughts. What I mean is, don’t fight them. Your mind is a thought creating machine, so it doesn’t do us any good to fight against that nature.
- Be the silent watcher of your thoughts. Don’t associate yourself with your thoughts. YOU ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS. Watch them pop up and visualize them as bubbles clouds. Then watch them drift away.
- Focus on something fully and completely. The breath is the easiest as it’s always with us. Notice the breath come into your body and follow it with your mind as it flows into your lungs and expands them. Then follow is as it leaves your body. You can also use a candle as you watch the flame flicker and move.
- Don’t be hard on yourself. It’s the struggle that counts! That’s what makes us more present and peaceful. You are rewiring your brain so have patience. When you stray from your breath and get caught up in the thought stream, simply say “back to the breath” calmly to yourself and bring yourself back to your focus. You will lose focus often when you begin, so be gently to yourself.
You’ll notice after a few times that you are calmer and can think clearer. Remember that this is a practice and not a cure. It should be done daily for at least 5 minutes and preferably closer to 30 for beginners. I’ve noticed the most profound benefits after a solid 20 minutes.
Give it a try and let me know if you have any questions you’d like to discuss. I am by no means an expert. I am just recording the pieces that have worked for me. Good luck and have patience!
Yeah, That's Nice 