We have been discussing the main types of meditation. Last time, we talked about chanting mantra or reciting prayers as a method of quieting the mind of thoughts.
This time, we will get into the process of vipassana, or witnessing thoughts.
This refers to any number of techniques whereby you simply watch the mind. With present moment awareness these thoughts will subside after diligent practice.
You sit and watch the thoughts that pop into your mind, without attaching to them. It is as if your mind’s eye is a window and the thoughts which arise are like birds you are watching fly by the window. They come and they go, but you remain at the window watching. When you find that you have become lost in your thoughts, go back to the window and watch the thoughts fly by again without becoming attached to them or losing yourself in them. The act of remembering that you are meditating after your mind has wandered is the essence of practice. Therefore it makes no sense to become discouraged when your mind inevitably wanders.
This practice is effortless. Your mind thinks thoughts. You watch those thoughts come and go. With practice, you achieve a quiet mind. At this point, your practice can change to introspection whereby you ponder questions of who is thinking the thoughts, whose mind has become quiet, and who is aware of that mind?
Next time, we will discuss visualization, or concentrating upon a mental image to the exclusion of other thoughts.
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