The mind will "talk" about what is seen, and label what is seen. It will talk about events that happened yesterday and things that might happen tomorrow. Ignore the talk and labeling and shift back to what can be seen or heard. If you're driving a car, listen to whatever sounds are present. What can be heard? Listen to the sounds of the wheels on the pavement, the car engine, air rushing past the windows, the body's breathing, the body's heartbeat, etc. What can be seen? Look at the vehicles approaching or receding, trees passing by, clouds overhead, the hood of the car, the hands on the steering wheel, etc. The mind will replay past events, fantasize about future events, question what's being pursued, doubt the value of it, philosophize, project, think about work-related issues, think about relationship issues, etc. Ignore the mind and re-focus attention upon what is happening in the present moment. What can be seen, heard, felt, or smelled directly through the senses?
The mind is in the habit of thinking and talking. It is in the habit of projecting endless ideas about the world and mentally verbalizing those ideas. This is what minds do. Who you are is what sees both the "outside" world of things and events as well as the "inside" world of thoughts. Most adults stay focused on their thoughts. The admonition to "stop and smell the roses" is pointing away from the mind to direct perception.
It is very difficult for most adults to actually smell the roses. They might take one whiff and the mind will start talking and thinking. One whiff, and the smell of the roses disappears in favor of endless thoughts that immediately arise.
A little child can sit and watch a column of ants for twenty minutes without thinking anything. A child can lie in the grass and watch clouds move through the sky without thinking "I'm watching clouds move through the sky" or imagining what the clouds look like. A child's mind is relatively silent compared to an adult's mind.
To return to a child-like state of mind, free from endless thoughts, requires persistently doing what little children do--looking and listening in silence. If the body/mind becomes aware that it is judging someone or something, shift attention to what can be seen or heard. If the body/mind becomes aware that there are thoughts about friends or co-workers, shift attention to what can be seen or heard. Persistently shift attention away from thoughts during periods of time when thought is not necessary.
Shift the eyes' gaze around within the visual field. IOW scan the visual field without letting vision rest too long in one place. If vision rests upon one thing too long, the eyes will glaze over and attention will return to the mind's usual chatter.
If you're driving in a car, turn off the radio and listen to whatever sounds are present. If you are walking through a city or countryside, don't wear earphones. Look and listen to whatever sights and sounds are present.
Don't expect instant results. The mind has developed a powerful habit of providing endless commentary on the world that it imagines. To find the real world and leave the mind behind requires considerable persistence. The average American spends about five hours each day watching TV. Turn it off, go outside, take long walks, and look at the world. What can be seen or heard? Leave all self-centered ideation and talk behind.
If the body is taking a shower, feel the water hitting the body. If the body is getting dressed, look at the hands doing what they are doing. If the body is walking to work, listen to the footsteps on the sidewalk or subway platform. Look at people as if you've never seen them before. Look without knowing.
If the body lives near a park, go there, sit on a bench and watch the birds, squirrels, or people. Look at the trees, plants, clouds, insects, grass, or flowers. Shift attention away from imagination to what is here and now and actual. Do this with intensity and persistence.
This is one way to become free of the mind. As the mind becomes silent, illusions and beliefs will collapse.
To get more insight into this process read "Embracing the Present" by Leonard Jacobsen or "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. Cheers.
The mind is in the habit of thinking and talking. It is in the habit of projecting endless ideas about the world and mentally verbalizing those ideas. This is what minds do. Who you are is what sees both the "outside" world of things and events as well as the "inside" world of thoughts. Most adults stay focused on their thoughts. The admonition to "stop and smell the roses" is pointing away from the mind to direct perception.
It is very difficult for most adults to actually smell the roses. They might take one whiff and the mind will start talking and thinking. One whiff, and the smell of the roses disappears in favor of endless thoughts that immediately arise.
A little child can sit and watch a column of ants for twenty minutes without thinking anything. A child can lie in the grass and watch clouds move through the sky without thinking "I'm watching clouds move through the sky" or imagining what the clouds look like. A child's mind is relatively silent compared to an adult's mind.
To return to a child-like state of mind, free from endless thoughts, requires persistently doing what little children do--looking and listening in silence. If the body/mind becomes aware that it is judging someone or something, shift attention to what can be seen or heard. If the body/mind becomes aware that there are thoughts about friends or co-workers, shift attention to what can be seen or heard. Persistently shift attention away from thoughts during periods of time when thought is not necessary.
Shift the eyes' gaze around within the visual field. IOW scan the visual field without letting vision rest too long in one place. If vision rests upon one thing too long, the eyes will glaze over and attention will return to the mind's usual chatter.
If you're driving in a car, turn off the radio and listen to whatever sounds are present. If you are walking through a city or countryside, don't wear earphones. Look and listen to whatever sights and sounds are present.
Don't expect instant results. The mind has developed a powerful habit of providing endless commentary on the world that it imagines. To find the real world and leave the mind behind requires considerable persistence. The average American spends about five hours each day watching TV. Turn it off, go outside, take long walks, and look at the world. What can be seen or heard? Leave all self-centered ideation and talk behind.
If the body is taking a shower, feel the water hitting the body. If the body is getting dressed, look at the hands doing what they are doing. If the body is walking to work, listen to the footsteps on the sidewalk or subway platform. Look at people as if you've never seen them before. Look without knowing.
If the body lives near a park, go there, sit on a bench and watch the birds, squirrels, or people. Look at the trees, plants, clouds, insects, grass, or flowers. Shift attention away from imagination to what is here and now and actual. Do this with intensity and persistence.
This is one way to become free of the mind. As the mind becomes silent, illusions and beliefs will collapse.
To get more insight into this process read "Embracing the Present" by Leonard Jacobsen or "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. Cheers.
