Mindfulness Demystified: Beyond The Fear of Sitting in the Silence
5 Mindful Ways to Persist Beyond the Discomfort
At one point or another, everyone has sat in silence to meditate and experienced the flow of runaway thoughts and wondered, WTF am I doing?
What starts as a seemingly easy task can quickly spiral into allowing the fear of silence to limit us from persisting beyond the discomfort.
Suddenly attempts to drop into practice is wrought with more of the same to avoid the increasing fear of silence. Hence, the more likely you are to experience discomfort, the greater your chances of concluding that meditation is not meant for you. If this resonates in the least bit, you are not alone. This post will delve into five mindful practices that support you in persisting beyond discomfort.
Discomfort Arises in the Silence
From the moment we sit to meditate, the mind tends to go on a tangent rattling off rampant thoughts, memories, and the like, making it that much easier to get caught up in the chaotic activity of mental chatter.
Likewise, meditation calls us to sit in a quiet, calm space conducive to the complete stillness of our mind and physical body. The mind and body go hand and hand, as the two are conversely related. Still the body, and the mind is likely to follow, and vice versa.
As a collective, we are habitual beings primarily governed by the habit of routine. For those relatively new to the practice, physically assuming a quiet, still state with the intention that the mind will immediately follow suit, is aspirational. Outwardly the process of simply sitting in silence and intently focusing our attention within seems simple enough. However, sitting in silence without audible sound doesn’t mean that our minds abstain from actively engaging in mental chatter. Likewise, one can relatively easily refrain from talking with focused intent. However, ceasing the very faculty (aka. mentation) that is governed by the subconscious is not quite as simple.
As with most things in life, with the power of intention and persistent concerted effort, many things that are outwardly viewed as an impossibility can be made possible with practice and repetition.
As with most things, power reigns over force, as one cannot forcibly coerce the mind to cease all thought. Universally, where your attention goes, your energy flows. In other words, thought is energy in motion. Therefore, the more you forcibly exert energy to stop the flow of thoughts, the more you essentially add fuel to the fire, causing even more thoughts to rapidly flow in succession. As with any unsuccessful attempt, discomfort is sure to follow. With discomfort comes the potential downward spiral of doubt, shame, blame, and every other low vibrational form of disempowering negative self-talk that can lead us to retract from the fear of the unknown.
The Effects of Succumbing to Fear
The seemingly unknown that lies outside our current reality has the propensity to elicit fear. Anytime we subject ourselves to negative self-talk, we subject ourselves to remain within the restrictive confines of what feels safe and comforting, as we limit ourselves from evolving into the highest expression. Whenever we experience fear and apprehension about doing something new, the unknown can feel like every possible worst-case scenario is likely to follow. When it comes to meditation, observing images of those engaging in practice can give the impression that everyone else has everything under control. Only meticulously curated images with models at the forefront does not reveal the truth of what lies beneath the surface.
The truth is newbies and experienced practitioners all experience the unpredictable flow of thoughts at some point, as the presence of thinking does not qualify or disqualify you for practice. The presence of thinking is just something that should be accepted as it is without judgment—and continuing to sit in silence beyond the discomfort of not knowing if, when, or how the unpredictable mental activity will cease cultivates resilience.
The ego is a fascinating component of the self in that it will persist in doing what it routinely does by any means necessary. Aside from dropping into meditation, practically every other moment of our daily lives is filled with mental activity. Many of our days are filled with welcoming the creative flow of thought. Therefore, when we sit to mediate, the mind subconsciously does what it usually does to counteract opposition by increasing its flow. Thankfully, we are not the mind or our thoughts. With conscious, concerted, persistent effort and repetition, we are all empowered to take our power back and have volition over where we direct our attention.
Five Ways to Use Mindfulness to Persist Beyond the Fear
1. Source a Quiet Space
Source a quiet space where you are unlikely to be disturbed that is conducive to withdrawing your attention from external distractions to support you to be undisturbed, as you prepare to go within.
2. Set A Time or Times to Sit in the Silence
Persistent concerted effort (practice) yields consistency, and with repetition, practice forms sustainable routine habits.
3. Physically Still the Physical Mind and Body
As a collective, we tend to spend the majority of our time residing solely in our heads; sitting and assuming an upright position with our feet planted firmly on the ground is conducive to increasing our conscious awareness, as it empowers us to be fully present and grounded within the body. Release the conscious urge to think actively, and focus your awareness to be present with the natural rhythm and flow of the breath.
4. Release Any Judgement
Do not be discouraged; the mind will persistently remain loyal to routine habits. In the times when the mind wanders, and the urge arises to self-critique, release any judgment and begin again.
If, at first, the thoughts appear to flow haphazardly in rapid succession, continue to redirect your awareness as many times as need be. Just listen, and begin again. Release any expectations, as insight may not arrive when you expect, and remain receptive and open to receive.
4. Begin Again
Suppose you find it challenging to remain intently focused and persistently begin again as practice, persistence, and consistency yield routine habits. Intently view and observe thoughts as an objective observer, accepting all that passes through your awareness without force or resistance.
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