This might be a strange or potentially controversial thing to say.
But I think one of the worst pieces of advice you can give someone who is new to or starting to meditate is to quiet their mind.
This,
I believe,
Is one of the main reasons why people quit meditation or don't even start.
Because the concept of quieting your mind feels impossible and perhaps it is.
So I have a better solution for you if you are interested because I'm here to tell you meditation will change your life.
Everything.
And there's so many really intelligent,
Really ambitious,
Really creative people that have given up on meditation.
And I don't even know how that's possible.
So I want to bring you back into meditation,
If that is you.
And I want to tell you,
Instead of quieting your mind,
Why don't you try freeing your mind?
Quiet your mind,
Free your mind,
And here's what I mean.
Here's the best example I can give you.
I like to imagine that I'm taking my mind when I begin a meditation to an off-leash dog park.
And an off leash dog park has a big open space that has a boundary around it.
So it's really safe in my mind.
Is very,
Very full of energy.
And instead of saying,
Okay,
Now just be quiet.
Now just be quiet,
Now just quiet.
I'm saying,
Hey,
Leash off,
Go play.
Go do whatever you want.
Go think about whatever you want.
I'm not going to try to chase you.
That's just going to exacerbate your energy.
I'm not going to judge you and tell you you are wrong for doing this or thinking that.
Instead,
I am giving you free,
Open space to go wherever you want.
And I'm going to sit here and just breathe and know you're safe.
And see what happens.
Nothing needs to happen.
There's no outcome that we're forcing.
But usually what happens is when I stop chasing,
When I stop judging,
When I sit back and just breathe,
My mind will settle on its own.
And when I'm not looking,
Something beautiful,
Something open and spacious,
Something grounded will.
.
.
Appeared.
Okay?
So instead of emptying your mind,
Quieting your mind,
Try freeing your mind and see what happens.
