New Moon + Solar Eclipse INSIGHT
INSIGHT on Meditation
When was the last time you truly felt like your mind was still?
(Cue the chorus of belly laughs.)
For most people, it is a stretch just to get the body still, let alone the mind.
We practice this thing called meditation as a way to do what? Statistics suggest it reduces stress, improves cognition, and enhances emotional regulation. But we find out, almost immediately, that when we slow down long enough to pay attention, the mind is anything but still.
Static Electricity
Our thoughts are forces of nature unto themselves - they are electric. As we engage with the world around us and within us, our conditioning causes us to think about, solve for, rationalize, get creative, or repeatedly turn the stone on all sorts of things until we can make sense of them.
Our waking life is a continuum that constantly calls on our minds to turn and churn, and arresting that momentum doesn’t happen so easily.
When we sit down to ‘meditate,’ rather than fall into some state of quiet, we are most often met with just how much thinking we are actually doing. Having such a full frontal experience of the mind’s turnings, many people will say that meditation is not for them or that they can’t meditate because they can’t get their minds to stop. They often feel that they’re doing it wrong.
Pulling Focus
It turns out that what most people call meditation is more often the practice of learning to concentrate. In fact, the yoga tradition parses this out into two distinct limbs: the sixth limb of yoga is the art of concentration, and the seventh limb is the state of meditation.
Concentrating the mind is one thing; being in a state of conscious meditative awareness is another thing entirely.
If you join the IG Live Wednesday Club meditation each week - you know we go through a similar process each week. We connect to the body, breath, and awareness in stages. On the most fundamental level, we are training the mind to focus on one thing at a time. The practice involves giving the mind the time and space to pull focus as it is ready to. This process is the essence and spirit of DHĀRANĀ.
As we come back to practice again and again, we slowly increase our conscious awareness. This causes us to come to see and observe more as the light of awareness brightens. Over time, the effort required to hold concentration decreases, and a state of meditation emerges.
On the one hand, that can be an insightful experience as we gain objectivity and clarity around our thoughts and feelings. On the other hand, it can be tough to truly sit still and be with what is, especially if we are in an emotional or physical upheaval of any kind.
Whether in the light of our being or entangled in the shadows, we are wise to approach each practice thoughtfully and with a spirit of nurturance for the body, mind, and heart.
INSIGHT New Moon Inquiry:
New moons are notoriously associated with new beginnings. The lunar cycle reminds us of the relevance of looking at something in a new way and the importance of dedicated focus and intention.
For this new moon, consider one area of your life that could benefit from you finding some clarity. Find a quiet space and set a sincere intention to gain insight into this area, allowing yourself to be open and receptive. Spend a few minutes bringing your full attention to this aspect, observing any thoughts, feelings, or sensations that arise without judgment.
Jot down whatever comes up; writing helps externalize your thoughts and provides a clearer view.
Over the next two weeks, revisit your notes each day, approaching them with fresh eyes and noticing any new thoughts or feelings that emerge. After your focused contemplation, let go of the effort. Sit quietly and allow yourself to be, releasing any striving or analysis.
Pay attention to any insights or understandings that naturally arise over time, trust the process, and be patient with yourself.
Remember: Meditation arises when the effort of concentration is released.
By consciously focusing on this area and then letting go, you create space for a more profound understanding to emerge. As best you can, embrace all aspects of the journey of self-discovery and see what unfolds.
We'd love to hear about any insights you've gained. If you feel inspired to delve deeper or wish to explore this journey with a guide, visit our INSIGHT Mentorship page to learn about our one-on-one mentorship program.