Yoga Myth #5: "I Can't Meditate, My Mind is Always Racing"

Welcome to life as a human being. There are many misunderstandings when it comes to meditation but one of the ones I seem to hear a lot is, "I can't meditate...my mind is always racing!" It is the nature of the mind to race, to judge, to compare, to reflect, to bounce from one thought to another with every new sensory input. That said we all have the special ability to observe that racing, comparing, judging mind. It is in the simple witnessing of the race that we begin to harness the healing power of meditation.

If you can't get out of the rat race than start to become a keen witness of it, starting with your own mind. A busy mind is not a barrier to meditation, it is the why you need the practice in your life. With practice we can begin to shift our perception to become a little more connected with that witness and a little more detached from that monkey mind. Don't expect the mind to stop...in fact, don't expect anything and you are on your way with meditation.

One simple and profound meditation practice that I learned from my teacher and would share with you is to observe your breath and each time to notice that you are indulging in thought simply say, "Not Now" and come back to your breath. The truth is that each time we are following the fantasy of the mind we have slipped out of this present moment and it really is Not Now. You have access to a well of bliss in the present moment and this bliss is independent of all external circumstance. Practice watching that racing mind and you may just discover that waiting bliss.

Namaste,

Steve

Yogi Jayanta