Leaves on A Stream — Let Your Thoughts Drift By

In this gentle ACT-based practice, we sit by an imaginary stream and simply watch. Each thought becomes a leaf… placed softly on a leaf in the water… carried at its own pace.

Just this simple shift, from being inside the mind, to watching it move, can help us to find freedom from intrusive thoughts.

If your thoughts feel loud, sticky, or relentless, this is a way of creating space. Not by pushing them out, but by letting them pass through.

Transcript

Going to teach you a really easy meditation. It's from Actotherapy and it's called Leaves on a Stream. And it really helps if you're overwhelmed with thoughts. So come into a seated posture if you can. And allow the eyes to gently close. Relax from the top of your head. All the way down to the soles of your feet. We're just going to meditate for about five minutes So imagine yourself now. Seated by the bank of a river. It's a lovely warm day. It's a nice glisten to the water. A soothing sound. And have a look inside the mind. What thoughts are there? Maybe you're planning. Something you're going to do later. Maybe there's a worry. Or judgment. Maybe thinking, I'll never be able to meditate. Whatever you find. Simply Hold it for a moment in your hand And look at the river. And see leaves. Drifting by. Place that thought on a leaf and watch it drift off into the background and just sit enjoying The sunshine. The river. Until up pops another thought. When the next thought comes. . . Simply look at it. Is it a judgment? This practice is useless, It won't help. Whatever it is. Just give it a label. Place it. And release. And watch it drift off down the river and then go back to enjoying The sun. And the sound of the river. Over and over again with every thought See what it is. Type of thought. Give it a label. Let it float off. Down the stream. And when you're ready you can open your eyes. And C, If you feel any different. You can use that when you have barrage of thoughts coming at you. Just take yourself off. Sit for a moment. See the thought, Label it, Place it on a leaf, And watch it sail by. They will keep coming. The object. Of this game is not to stop thought. It's to see the nature of thought. What kind of a thought is it? And also to see it float away off into the distance. Symbolizing that it isn't you. You can gain separation from it. Instead of being trapped inside it. I hope that helps

Reviews

Yes , that image was very helpful
To detach from the thoughts.
Much love and gratitude ❤️🙏