Resting the Mind

When you begin to practice sitting meditation, one of the first things that you will discover is how difficult it is to quiet the mind. You have your method and your instructor has told you how to use your method. Yet it seems as though every five seconds you have abandoned your method and begin to chase after scattered thoughts. The more you sit the more frustrated and perhaps agitated you become.

Later you feel that the sitting meditation is an exercise in futility. You already begin conditioning your mind that you will have an uncontrollable flow of thoughts passing though your mind. Approaching your meditation cushion with this kind of attitude will lead to failure in your practice. Your sitting practice will feel like it is too much work. All of your aspirations will be dowsed by the waters of resignation. Little by little you approach the cushion less and when you sit your sitting time decreases. To others, although they continue to sit, they see the sitting practice as unpleasant work.

If you are plagued by this problem perhaps you should seek not a change in your meditation practice but a change in your attitude. First you may take inspiration by looking at a statue or a picture of the Buddha. Note how serene the face looks with a knowing peaceful smile. When you mediate you should allow this serenity to envelope you. Let it enter your heart and spread through your entire body and then let this fearless serenity spread through the entire universe. As you are sitting, maintain this feeling of joyful peace.

To some beginning practitioners this may be very difficult to make a connection with. The problem may lie in applying the method too hard in your practice. Your meditation method should not be done forcefully. Consider a Tai Chi Chuan martial artists performing a sword form. When the sword is held the sword is neither held too tightly nor is it held too loosely, the sword is held with sufficient firmness to have a grip, but yet not to resist the subtle and graceful movements of the art. Likewise, your meditation method should be used in a similar manner. Your method should be held sufficiently so that you can gracefully apply it but not too tight so that you cause yourself stress or mental or physical strain. On the other hand, your method should not be held so loose that you allow your mind to stray.

An important key to maintaining the serenity and ease of using the method is the relaxation of the body and the mind. If you approach your meditation cushion with the idea that sitting and meditation is work you will foster the idea that this is not a pleasant experience. Consider the difference in your mind and emotions when you are driving hastily to work versus sitting in a warm bath. Can you see how each of these images affects your body and your mind? So as we approach our cushion for sitting meditation we should have in our mind this calm serenity and above all the attitude that we are going to rest. Many beginning practitioners believe that sitting cross-legged is uncomfortable and thus conjure up the image of work and restriction of freedom. If one understands that the body is simply sitting and resting, this will help develop the right attitude.

On the same note the practitioner should approach the meditation cushion with the idea that this is a beautiful opportunity to allow the mind to rest. One important aspect of sitting mediation that is overlooked is that we are allowing the mind and body to be restful and thus peaceful. Why do the Buddha statutes look so serene? Because they are free from the concept of the self and all of the vexations that are associated with this illusory thinking. If you can approach your meditation cushion with the same attitude you will find that your meditation skills will improve, you will also find that you will look forward to your meditation. Your meditation will fit you like your most comfortable pair of sneakers, not too tight and not too loose. In this way when you rise from your cushion you will not rise with an agitated and frustrated mind, but you will rise with a serene and rested mind.

Finally, the most important part of this serene mind is that you can take this mind wherever you go. If you do, you will find that whatever you are doing, whether at work, play or rest, you have discovered your old friend - the peaceful resting mind. Wherever you go you will take your peaceful and rested mind with you and share the benefits with others through your peaceful demeanor and serene smile.