It doesn’t really matter who you read, watch, or listen to for guidance when it comes to relaxing – in the end it comes down to one thing and one thing only – turning off your mind.
There are plenty of ways to turn off your mind, and we all use them collectively as the great and wonderful human race. This is the short short short list;
- drinking (not advised more than 1-2 two drinks each evening
- getting high (not advised at all)
- having sex (preferably with a monogamous partner, or if you are alone…..you get the picture)
- dangerous activity like sky diving or mountain climbing
- hobbies
- hard work
- watching TV
- reading
If you look at all the different activities we humans take part in, most of them are used to stop the obsessive thinking and churning of old fears about the future and old regrets and grudges from the past. So what is the answer to stop thinking? Try this.
As yourself this question,
“I wonder what I’m going to think about next.”
Then pay special attention to your thoughts like waiting for mole to jump out of it’s hole . You will be surprised at how this stops your obsessive thinking in a heart beat. Of course this can’t last long, but you can still learn to be AWARE of where your thinking is taking you. All day long! Be aware, and be ready to tell your mind to go get stuffed when it decides to live in the past or the future and not moment you are living.
Turn off your mind stone cold sober – this is all meditation really is. You don’t need to meditate – just sit there by yourself in silence and observe your mind activity. After awhile your thoughts will begin to come in slower and as you gain awareness of your thinking, the more relaxed and “happy” you will be.
What do you think???