When people are confronted with the prospect of meditating, they think of all the work that goes into not thinking. It’s easy to think; it’s hard to stop thinking.

Honestly, I don’t think it’s possible to stop thinking. Maybe when you die. But even then, your mind follows you.

The trick to attaining a peaceful mind (especially while meditating) is not to stop thinking, but to step aside from your thoughts.

You are not your thoughts. You think you are. That is a trick of the Ego. But thoughts happen to you. Thoughts occur to you. Thoughts go through your mind. They are something you have – not something you are.

Next time you want to try meditating (or at least escape the tyranny of an over-active mind), get relaxed, breathe deeply, and then allow your thoughts to flow through your brain unhindered, unrestricted, and unattached. Notice that they happen to you. Watch them go by. Remind yourself that the thoughts are separate from you. Let them be. Allow yourself to be somewhat amused by the thoughts that your brain feeds you.

I like to think of my thoughts like a bunch of guys having an argument in a conference room. I am not the argument. I am not the words being spoken. I am not even the guys having the argument. They are just parts of me, things happening inside my head.

I am the room.

Ya. Chew on that for a bit, and get back to me.