Thoughts Are Like Commercials

Thoughts during practice can be perceived as similar to commercials when watching a show or sporting event on TV. You decided to engage in and enjoy something in particular, and then the commercials arise. Here's a practice that aims to help you simply notice the commercials clearly and then return again and again to the "main event." I hope you enjoy!

Reviews

I really love this metaphor! Thinking of the breath, the anchor as the game and the thoughts in between as commercials is fun and adds humor to the experience of both meditation and daily life. Thanks Charles!

Thanks Charles. I’ll practice this for a while. I woke up from A very upsetting dream. Thanks for the tools.

Thank you Charles. I love your analogies they are so helpful.

Cool analogy. I realised counting wasn’t enough and had to include the tether to the breath at the nostrils to focus, otherwise I’d keep counting and drift off. Thanks for this tool. 🙏♥️

This is a good tool for getting back the mind to the here and now. Thank you 🤍

Charles’ meditations are so inventive and creative. He gives so many creative options for stilling “monkey mind”.

Interesting technique 👍

Love the comparison, visual and metaphor of our thoughts as commercials. I hate commercials so it makes total sense to do the same with my thoughts that break up the moment or create anxiety.

Really helpful 🙏

Very helpful. Thank you!

I watched a news clip yesterday about an artist who cuts and polishes crystals/stones. These 1000s of years old gifts from the earth come into his gallery and he sits with each piece to see if it calls to him; if they resonate. And once into the process of cutting/grinding/polishing letting the stone guide his hands, he said he will suddenly be aware that five hours have passed.
Sometimes we 'zone out' but sometimes we 'zone in'... eh?
Peace and Love,
Pattyland

Thanks Charles for sharing this technique. It was a beautiful practice for me. 😁

I love guided meditations that leave some time to practice without interruption. Thank you!

Loved the analogy. My Mind is one long commercial. Thank you for the awareness

Charles’s voice is so soothing and his suggestions are very helpful. This visualization/analogy in particular really resonates with me. Thank you!!

Will be back with you again Such a great practice to nurture I remember it from my Vipasana retreats. Thank you so much looking forward to following more of your valuable sharing.

Awesome. He teaches a new way and for coping with wandering thoughts. It’s awesome. Very helpful. I love that he gave time to practice the idea, without him talking. Sometimes the treachery talk and I need a longer moment to do process. That silence is built into this, with specific purpose. Very helpful. Thank you.

another helpful tip, thank you. sometimes the mind carries on until i notice that i am counting 28, 29..:))

Really helpful and focusing. Thank you.