The Art of Thinking

And a meditation to help you practice.

Hello, and thanks for being here.

There is a big difference between thoughts and actions.

Your thoughts will lead to action or inaction, right?  So it makes sense to ensure that your thoughts are as well-considered and intentional as possible. This is one of the reasons why meditation is such a helpful foundation. It is a great way to practice the art of thinking.

Photo by Ole Witt

Yes, thinking is an art. We all live with the voice in our heads. Instead of letting your mind run rampant, chasing after distractions, consider how you want to live with this constant companion. You can have an intelligent, kind, curious, thoughtful cheerleader or, something else.

When we are tired, or in a rush, we often don’t think before acting. We might not read the room, the fine print, or consider potential negative outcomes. We might skip a step in a recipe or overestimate our free time. We might speak without thinking and damage a relationship. Sometimes we are so distracted we don’t notice things happening around us, and then we miss out.

Different styles of meditation have better outcomes for different personalities and situations. Many people, without realizing it, keep themselves so busy that they don’t slow down enough to see what happens when they confront their thoughts.  This makes meditation very difficult. People with this habit tend to dislike meditation or say it doesn’t work for them.

To help a busy mind slow down you might consider giving your mind a job in meditation--train it to focus by putting it to work. (By the way, if this is you, please message me. I can help you maintain a meditation practice safely and comfortably.)  

The more scattered our mental activity is, the more separated we are from our true selves. Be patient and kind to yourself, and be consistent. Once you learn this week’s meditation, you can drop into it easily to practice.

As we progress in meditation, the surface activity of our minds begins to slow down. The more completely your mind is at rest, the more deeply your body is at rest. You will come out of meditation feeling refreshed and aware.

This week’s meditation is a simple one. It unmuddies the surface so you can see who and where you are, and experience the world as it really is.