Calming the Busy Mind

Calming the Busy Mind

Start by assuming a comfortable yet dignified position either siting up on a chair or cushion or laying down.  Think of the spine as a straight line from the numbers six and twelve on the face of a clock.  If sitting, we are sitting upright but not uptight.  Our spine is straight but our shoulders and jaw are relaxed.

Once you are situated, invite yourself to close your eyes or allow your gaze to drop down to nothing in particular.  The mind likes to use sight as a way to hijack our attention so let’s not give it any visual tools to choose from.

Next, take a few deep, cleansing breaths in through the nose and out from the mouth.  Then settle into whatever breathing pattern and fashion feels right to you.  Notice the sensations as the breath passes in and out of the body.  Paying attention to the breath point at the tip of the nose where we first experience the incoming air.  Noticing bodily sensations as the torso expands and then relaxes with each breath cycle.

Receive this moment as a gift to yourself.  You deserve this space to slow down for a few minutes.  Now is a good time to set aside the events that have already happened today as well as the ones that will occur later.  This time is for you.

Now imagine that you are standing on the grassy bank of a long and wide river.  The surface is covered with a variety of different watercraft: large boats, small boats, jet skis, kayaks and so forth.  All going in in different directions and at different speeds up and down the river.

These vessels are like your thoughts and, just as it is possible for you to watch them go by without trying to jump on each one and being swept up and down the river, you can be aware of passing thoughts without getting carried off by them.  Just allow them to be; not regarding them as either good or bad.  They just are.

Now visualize yourself turning around with the river at your back.  In front of you is a beautiful copse of stately trees.  In the very center is your favorite type of tree—whatever that may be.  Allow the peace and beauty of the sight soak in.

Behind you, the activity on the river continues, but now it is background noise.  You are aware of the boats but are not giving them your attention.  You are immersed in the peaceful sight in front of you.  A gentle breeze blows through the upper branches sending a whisper through the leaves and needles.  The trees do not fight the breeze, nor do they get carried off by it.  As the breeze changes moment by moment, the trees simply sway with it in a relaxed manner allowing it to come and go.  They are in a state of pure Being.  So too can we allow the constantly changing moments to come and go one by one.

Turn you attention back to the breath.  Just be with each one as they come and go.  Sit with them for as long as you like and, when you are ready, open or raise your eyes.

Namaste.