Suggested reading from Bliss More:
Start reading Chapter 2, ALL THOUGHTS MATTER, up to pg 29, just before EXPOSING THE BUSY MIND MYTH (Audiobook: the beginning of Chapter 6) (6 mins)
Whatever you do, try not to think of the...
Remember, "Don't think!" is a thought. "Why am I still thinking?" is another thought. Employing thought suppression to stop our minds from thinking in meditation is guaranteed to increase the very thoughts we don't want to have.
Today's Challenge:
Stare at this polar bear image for 10 seconds, then close your eyes, and for 1 minute try to think only of the polar bear and nothing else.
How did you do? Did your mind wander? Did you get distracted?
Now do the opposite
For 1 minute, close your eyes and let your mind roam free. Think about anything you want except the polar bear. Whatever you do, do not think of the polar bear!
Assessment
How did that work out for you? Did you get distracted when you were supposed to only think of the polar bear? And did you think of the polar bear when you weren't supposed to be thinking of it at all? If so, it doesn't mean you have a busier mind than anyone else. It simply means (drumroll please) you're NORMAL. The reason why our minds feel extraordinarily busy is because we tend to fight our busy-mind tendency instead of going with it. But not any more. From now on, you're going to practice going with it.
Now, sit for a 10 minute meditation and allow your mind to think any and everything it wants to (with no judgment).
Accountability Exercise
Post a photo or a video that represents how you're going to start celebrating your busy mind in meditation, with the understanding that it's normal to think a lot of random thoughts. Make sure to tag #blissmore and #blissmorechallenge so we can follow your progress.
Sample accountability post
Day four of the Bliss More meditation challenge! This represents how I'm going to treat my busy mind in meditation from now on. Hahaha. #celebration #blissmore #blissmorechallenge
Wanna get a head start on tomorrow's reading?
Continue reading Chapter 2 (or Chapter 6 in the audiobook), up to pg 49, just before GO E.A.S.Y. ON YOUR MIND (18 mins)
(Follow #blissmore to see everyone’s progress)