The mind is like a pendulum. Once pushed, it will continue to swing for some time. If you stop pushing, it will settle down. We push the pendulum of our minds with our conversations, our daily concerns, the shows we watch, the games we play, the fears we engage.
When we meditate, we give our minds the chance to settle down. If we have been agitated, it can take time to find our level of relative stillness. That’s why it is useful to practice stillness of mind regularly, maybe daily or twice daily. If we sit quietly, mindfully, we can observe how stirred up our minds have been.
It is good to take a break, and it is good to observe the quality and intensity of our habitual mental activity. It’s best to do this non-judgmentally. We don’t need to criticize our level of mental disturbance or feel particularly frustrated that we aren’t calmer. Just notice.
Sit upright
Breathe
Pick a point of focus
Breathe some more
Check your posture
Return to the object of your focus
© 2010 Tom Barrett