"The mind is its own worst enemy as well as its own best friend. According to yogic thought, the mind has five different types of behavior. In the Kshipta state, it is fragmented, distracted and scattered on various objects. It is restless and jumps from one thing to another. In the mudha state it is dull and forgetful. Vikshipta is the gathering mind, it is occasionally steady and at other times distracted. This is its condition during practice as it struggles to become focussed. In the ekagrata or one-pointed state there is only one idea present. In the niruddha state full control is achieved.
The greatest impediment to concentration is restlessness and tossing of the mind. When a beginner sits for practice, the thoughts, unaccustomed to this new game and freed from their usual grooves, leap about in an uncontrolled way. To remove tossing and other obstacles to one-pointedness, adamantly fix the mind on one object alone. When it runs away, as it naturally will, pull it back again. It will want to create hundreds of alternate thought forms, but if not disciplined no progress can be made."
Swami Vishnudevananda from Meditation and Mantras.
We all know that the mind can be terribly busy and when it is not busy it seems to want to create unhelpful thoughts to keep it busy. This can lead us to more anxiety, worries and obsessive thinking. As Swami Ji states; it will want to leap about in an uncontrolled way - this can leave us feeling lost or frustrated. For sure accepting that we have busy troublesome minds is the first step - and then finding some empathy with the mind that it is busy and refraining from becoming cross or angry with over expectations. It is like we need to make friends with this wonderful instrument that we call the mind, and then it can become so strong and useful to us. Discipline of practice is certainly the key - finding a regular time and place for your practice and not missing even one session is essential. Not making excuses to get you out of practice is a big step forward or refraining from the 'I will do it later" syndrome or " I haven't got time" syndrome.
Make a commitment for yourself to practice - once a week, twice a week or even once a day - whatever is manageable then make that commitment. After some time I promise - you will never look back.
During practice either be it asana (yogic postures) or pranayama (breathing) or meditation fix the mind on something - the breath is a wonderful place to start, and know that the mind will jump about - and feel fine with yourself that it will jump about. No-body empties their mind - this would put you in a comma! Just breath and follow your breath and when you notice your mind has jumped somewhere else, then recognise that and simply come back to your point of concentration. This in actual fact when you notice you are distracted and bring the mind back is a very pure moment and something to feel good about - you noticed you were distracted and then you came back to focus. That moment is very powerful and true, so be pleased with it - actually the distractions are tools and blessings for you to be able to strengthen the mind and become more focused and peaceful over time. This does not happen over night - but joining classes will give you encouragement from other practitioners and teachers and the inspiration to keep going until you reach the point of "I can't wait to get on the mat, or cushion or whatever!!"
So please put the effort in, be guided by inspirational people that have walked the path and are walking the path themselves and give yourself a hug and a great big smile for your practice and putting the effort in. Whatever happens during the session you would have done a wonderful thing for yourself and for the peaceful energy of the world - which we all need, as does the earth. waters, sky's, sun and moon.
So go ahead and do it - no more I am too busy - My head is too busy - of course it is - and that is why we should practice, without pressuring ourselves to be anything or this or that but honoring and loving yourself.
At least do that - love yourself - wherever your head is!!
Have beautiful days and nights and suns and moons
Sending love from the heart
Mangala - Nicky
Image above made in Yoga Mangala home studio - Bhujangasan - Cobra pose
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