Dear Jurgen:
Dr. Deepak Chopra stated that our minds create 69,000 thoughts in a day, and that 90% of these mental constructs are the same as our thoughts yesterday, which are the same as the day before, and the day before, and the day before,….
Dr. Chopra points out that the purpose of any meditation is to quiet the mind to a single thought – be it a mantra, monitoring the breath, envisioning the image of a flame, or any number of focal points that help to focus the mind from its usual mental chatter to a single moment and thought.
The mind was created for thinking – albeit, at times, a bit helter-skelter. Initially, during meditation, a mind races – frequently dwelling on the past and fearful of the future. Meditation creates a focal point upon which the mind, through intention, can be returned. Naturally, thoughts will arise, and, as has been mentioned in previous discussions, they may be acknowledged; at which time, conscious thought may be gently redirected to the focal point. The mind will naturally float off in another direction of activity and chatter, at which time the practitioner may redirect conscious thought back to the focal point.
With practice, one will find greater ease in attaining a unified focus. Please, have patience, as your MindBody brings itself into greater ease, and your nervous system develops greater pathways of entrainment, you will notice lessened chatter and more relaxed meditation. For now, the active mind is normal and appropriate and should be acknowledged for all that it has had to purge and hold on to.
Is there a 'trick' to empty the mind? No, practice will naturally create the emptiness for you. Focus on your Qigong breathing and focus on your body sensations. If your mind wanders, gently return it within.
Love and Peace,
Joe
