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A message from today’s meditation:
The biggest stumbling block to new meditators is the feeling, “but I can’t get my mind to be quiet!” The truth is none of us can, and the good news is, we don’t need to…
“Did I pay the electricity bill?” “What should I make for dinner?” “I wonder if Sarah got that promotion…” Frustrated, you open your eyes, feeling like a failure.
If this scenario resonates with you, join the club! The misconception that meditation requires a completely silent mind is a major roadblock for many beginners.
So please don’t make the absence of thought your goal during meditation, that is a battle that you can only lose. We don’t have to try and stop the thinking, but with practice we can more easily slip below the surface of the thinking and find that, “I am not these thoughts. I am the consciousness that can watch the thinking.”
Silence is that place of pure potential from where all possibilities arise.
“Silence and stillness are not dependent on the mind being quiet. There’s a deeper silence and stillness already in you.” – Adyashanti
“Silence and stillness are not states and therefore cannot be produced or created. Silence is the non-state in which all states arise and subside. Silence, stillness and awareness are not states and can never be perceived in their totality as objects. Silence is itself the eternal witness without form or attributes. As you rest more profoundly as the witness, all objects take on their natural functionality, and awareness becomes free of the mind’s compulsive contractions and identifications. It returns to its natural non-state of Presence.” – Adyashanti
You don’t need to first quiet your mind before you can tap into the pure potentiality of silence. If you can find the place within you from where you can look at, and see your busy mind, then you are already becoming free, and more potential becomes available to you.
Here are some guiding mantras to keep in mind as you explore this concept:
- “I am not my thoughts. I am the awareness that observes them.”
- “Stillness isn’t the absence of noise; it’s the ability to find calm amidst the chaos.”
- “My mind may be busy, but my essence remains peaceful.”
So next time you meditate, don’t worry if your mind remains active. Instead, focus on cultivating that space of observation. Watch your thoughts come and go without judgment. In doing so, you’ll discover the gateway to true inner stillness – a place of boundless potential waiting to be explored.
Have a flippin beautiful Sunday peeps!
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: Finding silence.
A moment of reflection
(If you have the time, use this question as a journal prompt, because whenever you put pen to paper you’re wiring the neural pathways that create your new habits. But if you don’t have the time, just take a moment to reflect on your response.)
The Identity of Awareness: The article suggests that “I am not my thoughts. I am the awareness that observes them.” Explore this concept in your journal by listing 5-7 thoughts that frequently occupy your mind. For each thought, write: “This is just a thought, not who I am.” Then reflect on who you are being when you’re able to just watch these thoughts. Who or what are you beneath the thinking mind?
Today’s LIVE meditation
https://youtu.be/vPe1BuQz4Bo 2025
https://youtu.be/fX3wieCw4To 2024
https://youtu.be/98XPdX0RN-I 2023
https://youtu.be/dBxqZMvHKVY 2021
Q&A for deeper learning
1. Why can’t I quiet my mind during meditation?
You’re not supposed to! The idea that meditation requires a silent mind is a common misconception. The human mind is designed to think—it’s what it does. Instead of trying to stop your thoughts (which is impossible), meditation invites you to change your relationship with them. Success in meditation isn’t measured by the absence of thoughts but by your ability to observe them without attachment.
2. If I’m not trying to quiet my mind, what should I be doing during meditation?
Focus on developing the awareness that observes your thoughts. You can think of your consciousness as having two aspects: the thinking mind and the witnessing awareness. During meditation, you’re strengthening your identification with the witness. Practice noticing thoughts as they arise, acknowledging them without judgment, and gently returning to your meditation anchor (breath, mantra, etc.). Over time, you’ll naturally begin to experience the deeper silence that exists beneath the surface of thinking.
3. How do I know if I’m meditating “correctly”?
If you’re showing up and setting aside time to practice, you’re already doing it correctly! Meditation isn’t about perfection or achievement. The only “wrong” way to meditate is to judge yourself harshly or set unrealistic expectations. Some days will feel more peaceful than others, and that’s perfectly normal. The key indicators of progress include increased self-awareness throughout your day, more space between stimulus and response, and greater compassion for yourself and others.
4. What does it mean to find “the place from where you can look at your busy mind”?
This refers to accessing your witnessing consciousness—the aspect of awareness that can observe your thoughts without being caught up in them. It’s like watching clouds pass through the sky rather than feeling you are the clouds. This perspective shift often happens naturally when you practice meditation consistently. You might notice it first as brief moments of “stepping back” from your thoughts, which can gradually expand with practice.
5. Can I experience stillness even when I’m physically active?
Absolutely! Stillness, as described in the article, isn’t dependent on physical or even mental immobility. It’s an inner quality of presence that can be accessed in any circumstance. Many people experience profound moments of stillness during walking meditation, mindful movement practices like yoga or tai chi, or even during intense physical activity when they enter a “flow state.” The key is bringing your full attention to the present moment experience.
6. How long should I meditate before I start experiencing this deeper silence?
There’s no universal timeline as everyone’s journey is unique. Some people might experience glimpses of deeper silence in their first meditation, while for others, it may take months of consistent practice. Rather than focusing on achieving a particular state, approach each meditation session with curiosity and openness. Even brief moments of presence are valuable. Consistency is more important than duration—a daily 10-minute practice will likely yield better results than occasional hour-long sessions.
7. How can I incorporate the understanding of “I am not my thoughts” into my daily life?
Start by practicing brief “mindfulness pauses” throughout your day. When you notice yourself caught in a thought spiral or strong emotion, take a deep breath and mentally step back, saying, “These are just thoughts passing through my awareness.” You can also try labeling your thinking patterns: “planning,” “worrying,” “remembering,” etc. This creates a small but crucial space between you and your thoughts. Another helpful practice is to occasionally ask yourself, “Who is aware of this experience right now?” to reconnect with your witnessing consciousness.