We start with the fundamental knowledge and understanding of a universal principle:
What we focus our attention on, we get more of…
Whether it’s good or bad, right or wrong, like it or not.
Right now, take a moment to observe where your attention is directed and who controls it. You’ll likely notice that your attention wanders aimlessly, with little to no direction.
As the Armenian philosopher Gurdjieff stated:
“The uncontrolled human mind is distracted from distractions by distractions.”
Notice that when your attention focuses on certain people, subjects, circumstances, or things, corresponding thoughts and emotions follow, creating momentum.
There’s nothing wrong with this; it’s just where we find ourselves.
The Focus Muscle
You have the ability to redirect and focus your attention where you choose. This is what we practice mastering through meditation.
Meditation strengthens and fortifies your ability to focus your attention, allowing you to choose where you direct it, instead of being dragged around aimlessly.
This gives you the power to intentionally create the things you desire, which is one of the most powerful abilities a human being can possess.
Meditation, though subtle, is the most impactful practice to develop your ability to focus and redirect your attention.
First-hand experience and awareness of your ability to shift your focus from thoughts or things that don’t feel good to those that do is, in my opinion, the greatest gift you can give yourself.
As you begin your meditation practice, you will see immediate results.
This new understanding and awareness that what you’ve been focusing on has created your reality, and that you can now redirect your attention, is profound.
For many, this is the biggest transition in life, the Source of Personal Power.
Meditation offers us the opportunity to be present in our lives.
It allows us to see our thoughts and emotions clearly.
This combination of thoughts and emotions is what has been creating our experiences all along.
As humans, we often get caught up in thinking about the past and the future, spending much of our time judging, evaluating, and criticizing our lives, ourselves, and others.
When you are in your thinking mind, you are always one step away from fully experiencing your life.
This is what Christ meant when he said:
“The key is to be in the world, not of it.”
Meditation helps us develop the skill of turning away from our thinking mind and moving towards a fuller experience of life. It helps us to be present, experiencing each moment—the only place life truly exists.
Meditation teaches us to release the mind’s clinging to thoughts.
Life is happening right now, and trying to make it different than what it is seems a bit insane.
At first, meditating might seem bumpy, but the positive effects and sense of relief will quickly present themselves.
You will feel a greater sense of ease, fewer knee jerk reactions, and an ability to allow people and things to be just as they are.
No thinking, just being and trusting the process.
As you continue your meditation practice, you will notice a return to your natural state of better health and well being.
Aches and pains in your body will begin to disappear as your mind calms and begins to focus.
You will soon see that experiencing life has nothing to do with thinking. It’s about simply experiencing the direct, non storied aspects of our life in each “now” moment.
Through meditation, you will learn to tell the difference between being stuck in your head and being present in the moment.
Let’s Get Started!
First, understand that there is no right way to meditate, but it’s important to grasp the concept.
You can sit on the floor or a chair, or even explore different Zazen (Zen Meditation) postures.
What’s important is finding a comfortable position that works for you.
Next, choose something to focus your attention on.
It can be a flame, the sound of a river, the ocean, a fan, etc.
Focus on this chosen point.
Select something mundane that your discriminating mind won’t judge. I use the sound of ocean waves so I get to go to the beach every day when I meditate.
Set a timer for 15 to 20 minutes and focus on the sound.
As thoughts arise, and they will, simply notice them and return your attention to the point of focus.
It’s that simple.
Meditate for 15 to 20 minutes a day, preferably first thing in the morning.
When you find yourself drifting off or focusing on body sensations, simply return your attention to the chosen focus. Don’t expect it to be a certain way or compare it to anyone else’s experience.
The Time and Space of Now
As I began my meditation practice, my mind played tricks on me.
I would hear, “This is too much. I can’t stop thinking. This can’t be helping.”
These were just more thoughts.
Another trap I fell into was wanting to tell everyone that I meditated as if I were part of an elite group.
So, as you begin, keep it light and be kind to yourself.
This will be the greatest gift you can give yourself.
For more information on harnessing the power of your mind, feel free to contact me anytime.
If you get stuck or would like some support getting your practice set up or moving forward, I’m always here to guide you along your path.
With passion and purpose,
Allan “A. C.” Hendrickson
Teacher/Author/Speaker
Founder, The Center for Conscious Expansion
(405) 406-1058
achendrickson.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/achendrickson/
