Taming Runaway Thoughts
Train the mind to be aware of when it's galloping in all directions like a herd of wild horses.
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Sometimes the mind can feel like a pack of wild horses, jumping around from past to present to future, refusing to sit still. (horse whinnies) And like a pack of wild horses, trying to force the mind to be still just doesn't work. The horses are wild in nature after all. (horses galloping) But with practice and time, we can train the mind to be aware of when it's galloping in all directions, and we can guide it back to the present moment with a kind and friendly hand. (horses slowly galloping) So, let's see if we can practice taming the mind by taking a few mindful, deep breaths. Wherever you are now, get comfortable. Eyes can be open or closed and perhaps relaxing the shoulders and now taking a deep breath, breathing in through the nose and breathing out through the mouth. Noticing what thought or sensation the mind is chasing after. And again, just gently taking another deep breath, in through the nose and out through the mouth. One last time, breathing in, and breathing out. (no audio) Similar to the wild horses, over time, the mind can become more tame, more calm, and may even start to enjoy more moments of stillness. Remember to just keep practicing....
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- More about Andy
A former Buddhist monk, Andy has guided people in meditation and mindfulness for 20 years. In his mission to make these practices accessible to all, he co-created the Headspace app in 2010.
- More about Eve
Eve is a mindfulness teacher, overseeing Headspace’s meditation curriculum. She is passionate about sharing meditation to help others feel less stressed and experience more compassion in their lives.
- More about Dora
As a meditation teacher, Dora encourages others to live, breathe, and be with the fullness of their experiences. She loves meditation’s power to create community and bring clarity to people’s minds.
- More about Kessonga
Kessonga has been an acupuncturists, therapist, and meditation teacher, working to bring mindfulness to the diverse populations of the world.
- More about Rosie
Rosie Acosta has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years and taught for over a decade. Rosie’s mission is to help others overcome adversity and experience radical love.
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