Resting the Mind

Real rest is achieved by calming the mind. To effectively rest and release internalized stress, it is necessary to allow the reactive patterns of thoughts and tension to unravel. This can be accomplished by concentrating on the breath or by tuning into the sensations in your body.

To slow down your thoughts, focus on the sensations in your body. When your mind starts wandering, redirect your attention to your body. Pay attention to the sensations in your body as they reflect your true feelings. Thoughts give rise to sensations, which are the physical manifestation of your emotions.

How you feel is influenced by your thoughts. Thoughts can trap you like quicksand, the more you dwell on them, the more you struggle and sink. To calm your mind and help your body relax, it's important to detach from your thoughts. One effective method is to concentrate on the sensations in your body. By redirecting your focus to these sensations, your thoughts will diminish, along with the impulses affecting your body. This process enables your body to unwind. By prioritizing bodily sensations, your mind will have less space for the thoughts that are causing and perpetuating tension in your body. This approach breaks the cycle, promoting relaxation.

Our minds are constantly occupied with thoughts about ideas, worries, the past, the future, memories of sights and sounds. These thoughts create a clutter in our minds. When we divert our attention from these thoughts and the clutter, our minds get the opportunity to organize and discard unnecessary information. This helps our body to unwind and relax.

Exercise to Let go of Thoughts

It is recommended to lie down, preferably on the floor. You may use a pillow and blankets if it's cold, but avoid getting too comfortable as you might fall asleep.

When you are settled surrender control of your body.

Scan your body for any tight or tense areas, and breathe into those spots. With each breath, feel the tension and tightness dissipate. Once the tension is released, move on to the next area and repeat the process. Continue this until you feel completely relaxed.

If you find your mind wandering while in this state of relaxation, shift your focus to the physical sensations in your body. These sensations may include aches, pains, weight, lightness, sounds, temperature, emotions, itches, and the flow of air through your mouth or nose. Take a moment to scan your body and acknowledge all the sensations present. Continuously move your awareness throughout your body, without fixating on any single sensation.

Over time, your mind will gradually calm down and reach a state of stillness. Should thoughts resurface and disrupt this stillness, return to focusing on the sensations in your body until you regain that state of tranquility.

Perform this task for at least 10 minutes.