The function of the brain is to think. Therefore, this boon, sometimes also becomes the bane. We, as human beings, have thoughts, and they are on all the time. Often, we wonder if those could be silenced even for a few moments. And, what if there is a simple process to do that? Would you want to try?
To understand this process, we’ve to first understand the nature of our thoughts. If we closely observe, our thoughts come from our past knowledge. Sure, a lot of time we indulge in thinking about our past events and memories in life, and they do come from our past. But, when we engage in thinking about our future, even if it’s a small thing – say the next vacation you’re planning, aren’t those thoughts placed in the future? The answer is, NO… they too come from the memories! But how?
...a lot of time we indulge in thinking about our past events and memories in life, and they do come from our past. But, when we engage in thinking about our future, even if it’s a small thing – say the next vacation you’re planning, aren’t those thoughts placed in the future? The answer is, NO… they too come from the memories!
Let’s take the same example of the upcoming vacation, and in this context when thoughts emerge, they may give one joy to think and imagine about this new place, for some others, as the journey approaches, may also give travel anxieties. Whatever those thoughts, they’re coming from our past experiences of vacation or journey or travel. That is, we simply put our past experiences repackaged into the future with our imaginative brain and assume things. Therefore, the roots of this image are not the originality of thinking but rather clouded by our opinions and biases and judgements. Our mind constantly is at play, and it seems to swing like a pendulum between past and future… or is it between past and past actually?
Does that mean, we are a product of the past? Not always, but most of the time. What is real though is the right now, this moment. Not the one while reading “this moment” from the last sentence, but this moment… not that, this! Once you recognise this concept that life happens in each moment and that all the memories we’re putting in the form of past or future in this moment are stopping us to experience this moment as is, half the job is done.
Look at that moment when you spent time with your loved ones and time just flew. There are several instances when this has happened to all of us. How can we be in this state all the time?
Now, how do we then stay in this moment? Well, there are many ways to do that – mindfulness, meditation, being involved in the work at hand. Look at that time when you were immersed into one particular task, and you got so involved that you lost track of time and it was lunchtime already and four hours had elapsed! Look at that moment when you spent time with your loved ones and time just flew. There are several instances when this has happened to all of us. How can we be in this state all the time?
If we understand this to be a skill – like cycling or swimming, then one can only learn this by involving and engaging in the experience and get better with time. But one cannot learn to cycle by reading, one has to get on the saddle and maybe fall a few times before gaining the art of balance. Similarly, to gain this skill of being in the moment, one important requirement is the discipline to practice this daily. One simple way to do this practice is to have a dedicated time and space for the activity. We recommend that one start jotting their own thoughts into a journal, and preferably in the morning where the mind’s preoccupation is relatively lesser. Preferably within an hour after waking up.
...one cannot learn to cycle by reading, one has to get on the saddle and maybe fall a few times before gaining the art of balance. Similarly, to gain this skill of being in the moment, one important requirement is the discipline to practice this daily.
One has to simply start jotting the thoughts that come in that moment and do this exercise for a set duration. Say you choose a desk by the window and choose to do this activity from 6.30 AM to 6.45 AM, then try doing it at the same spot and around the same time daily for a few days. There comes a point where the thoughts seem to subdue and your mind is being in this moment, that is when you close the book and be with the moment – for whatever fleeting moments they’re. Sometimes, eve aft15 minutes, the thoughts seem to continue. In such cases, observe what actually is bothering, and try to jot that down. If thoughts don’t stop, so be it. Do not let that frustrate you. Come back the next day and repeat. And, only with practice, one gets better. One is able to completely be in this moment. And, in this moment, there is a sense of emptiness.
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