The question I received from Ione,
Her question,
I am working on letting thoughts occur outside of my meditation practice without using resistance to those thoughts that do not serve me positively.
Do you have any suggestions on making those experiences flow more smoothly?
All right,
Here's my answer.
Ione,
Your question suggests such a wonderful level of awareness and self-reflection.
It is so powerful to notice one's thoughts in daily life as an example of being mindful,
Self-aware and observant.
In meditation,
We are taught to allow our thoughts presence,
But to not be distracted by them,
To notice them as they arise and then to return our place of focus onto our breath or simply being in the present moment.
And if this is mindfulness meditation practice,
Perhaps we are aware and mindful of a thought and then we let it go because we want to hold space for continuing to be aware,
Attentive and observant in here and now.
One question that many of us struggle with,
Regardless of whether we are on our meditation cushion or out in the world,
And that is how can I more easily let go of thoughts that do not serve me?
At times we do make an effort to resist these thoughts and in doing so we actually give them more attention.
To notice one's thoughts in daily life is an example of being mindful,
Self-aware and observant.
When you notice thoughts that you are resisting,
Thoughts that are not positive,
Notice if these are thoughts that may require further exploration and contemplation.
Our instinct can be to avoid or disavow thoughts that cause discomfort and yet to live awake and aware is the ability to be with thoughts that are uncomfortable and to examine and reflect further upon these thoughts.
The key is to do so in a way that allows us to be accurate and truthful and also to decide as much as possible a desired ideal outcome,
Especially if thoughts are focused on something that is negative and unwanted.
To hold thoughts for a time outside of meditation is how we learn more about ourself,
Our thinking and perspective and any limiting beliefs that are causing our discomfort.
To observe thoughts mindfully,
Curiously,
Objectively is how we begin to change the patterns that we have practiced and what keeps our thinking in a repetitive circling of negative and critical self-talk or in avoidance and distraction of what we do not want to think about.
By simply telling ourself to think differently or positively is not enough to release thoughts of what may be lingering,
Requiring our curious examination and further understanding.
You experience insight and pure knowing through introspection,
Discovery and understanding.
Your resistance to something is actually a cue that you might move towards what you are resisting,
If only to critically examine your thinking and how you feel so that you can create alternative thoughts that allow you to feel peace through positive mindset and positive action,
Through making corrections to your choices and to finding a better solution and a way of being that allows you to live in harmony with yourself and others and the world.
If you can approach any observation of your thoughts from a place of love and compassion,
You will be able to let go of thoughts that are unkind,
Restrictive,
Untrue and that cause you to deliberate on thoughts that create disharmony and dysregulation.
If you resist a thought,
You will not stop it from resurfacing and from intruding in your mind because this is how you are reminded that something is not complete,
That something is in need of your attention,
Your learning and your different perspective based on what is accurate and true.
Here is a practice strategy for allowing a thought to be present as you observe and explore it.
Write the thought that you notice you are resisting or struggling with.
If this is not possible in that particular moment,
Then hold this thought in your mind for a time in reflection,
Observing it from a higher perspective,
That of complete self-honesty.
You do this by asking yourself,
Is this thought absolutely correct and true?
Allow your inner voice of truth to answer,
To reaffirm what is accurate.
To further reveal what is factual and honest,
Hold the thought in your heart space.
Allow your heart to guide you towards the best possible solution and the situation so that you may focus on co-creating this ideal outcome and towards a place of deeper understanding for you and for what is true.
This is how you access your inner wisdom.
To live by this truth is how you may begin to resolve the reoccurring and less than positive thoughts that circle your mind.
Allow for the analysis of a thought that continues to surface and for which you may be tempted to resist.
Explore this thought with acceptance and openness,
First to decide if it is indeed a 100% true thought or if you first need to decide what is 100% true and accurate.
Since most of the thoughts that cause you to suffer are not entirely true,
And then to find a solution to whatever dilemma has arisen that arises from your heart space,
Even if you are not ready yet to act on this solution.
This is how your thoughts can guide you to learn more about yourself and to lead you along a path of acceptance,
Of change,
And of using your free will choice to honour and live your truth.
I hope this helps you,
Ione,
And I hope this helps you as you listen and I also look forward to hearing from what you discover along your sacred journey.
Thank you so much for listening.
Namaste.
