Dealing with Thoughts

DAAJI dispels the myth that thoughts in meditation are bad, and helps us understand how to accept our thoughts in a constructive way, eventually leading to periods of thoughtlessness.

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Dear friends,

One of the most common complaints we hear from newcomers to meditation is, “I’ll never be able to meditate well, as my mind is so busy with thoughts. How can I focus with such an active mind?”

In fact, rarely does anyone start a meditation practice with a regulated mind, otherwise why would we need to learn to meditate? It’s like saying we need to know how to swim before we can get in the water to learn to swim – it takes practice! The outcome of regular meditation practice is a balanced, carefree, focused mind.

The natural function of the mind is to think

The natural function of the mind is to think. Thinking is necessary to live and to make wise decisions. Thoughts are not the enemy. The best approach is to accept them.

The mind is a powerful instrument and will not be subdued by force. If you try to use force to dispel thoughts or push them down, it will be counterproductive, for once that force is lifted, the disturbing thoughts will come back a thousandfold. When you fight with your thoughts, they become stronger.