June 20, 2023

When we meditate, we try to shift our focus from the constant attention to many disparate thoughts to one single idea or action. We can concentrate on our breath or a candle or a word. As we strive to contemplate this singular focal point, we find that our brains start to jump on every possible idea that floats through our perception: What is for dinner? Can I get the plants all potted today? Did I pay that bill? I wonder if it is going to rain . . . . On and on, we find our concentration impeded by an odd jumble of distractions. Oh, then, how are we benefiting from sitting down to meditate daily? Learning to let go of these ideas and bringing ourselves back to our focus, even if in a five minute meditation we find ourselves needing to do so dozens of times, it is the act of showing up and the attempt that allows us to grow through the experience. We can imagine these ideas departing from our minds wrapped in bubbles that float away, allowing us to experience the gap between thought that is the goal of meditation. In that moment of no thought, we find ourselves in peaceful coexistence with the Creative Spirit. Namaste! https://www.tobiehewitt.com/contact.html to join my mailing list. (Art by Joy Argento)

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