Tips from Mindfulness of Thought Session

I’ve been leading an Intro to Mindfulness session in my home this last month, and our recent session on Mindfulness of Thoughts really hit home for the folks in my class. I wanted to share some quick tips I shared with them in case some of it resonates with you.

Quotes and tips:

• Say YES to what's here - "What we resist will persist"

• The body doesn't know the difference between imagined and real

• The "I" in Tara Brach’s RAIN (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture) can be a gentle investigation of what it's like to experience the thought. How can you see and really hear yourself? Isn’t that what we all are looking for anyway.

• What’s the EXACT opposite of what you’re saying. Write it down. Is it possible that’s true? It often is for me!

• Safety is the opposite of fear; self-compassion and acceptance create safety (you can give this to yourself in any moment)

• "The story I'm telling myself is...." "The story I'm making up is ..." (thank you thank you, Brene Brown!!)

• What you put your attention on, grows > if you tell a story, make it a good  story!

• Tell yourself "thinking" or "consent" as the the thoughts pass by. Allow yourself to see ALL the colors of the rainbow, not just one. :) This is the very first piece of advice I got about the healing powers of meditation from a Buddhist monk who lost his life savings to Bernie Madoff on Wall Street.

• Imagine your thoughts are like birds in the sky, leaves flowing downstream or words on a computer screen or cars on the highway (see the classic headspace video for an example!)

• Thank your mind for it's concern "Thank you, I got it!"

• All the ages you''ve ever been are inside of you trying to get your attention (acknowledge them or they will get louder)

• What's the 2% thought? What's the 2% value/utility of this thought? Let’s get discerning and you will be set free! :)