Talking to myself

 

When we observe someone walking down the street talking to themselves, we most likely think they are communicating on their phone. 20 Years ago, people would have looked at you strangely and maybe even crossed the street. We judge those who talk to themselves loudly and who do not appear to be connected to a device.

But do you know that you are talking to yourself inwardly every day? Yes – that voice in your head. That is your thoughts.

Mindfulness encourages you to find that quiet space between your thoughts. When you meditate just by observing your thoughts then those thoughts can and do recede. You can do this by simply becoming aware of your breathing for a moment. The involuntary act of breathing happens all day but you rarely notice it. What else do you not notice if your mind is racing.

Thinking arises and then you attach to thoughts and different thoughts cause emotions to arise.

Just take a deep breath now. Hold it for a moment and exhale. Do this for a little while. There is an awareness of breathing. Without thought, what is aware of the breathing?

Mindful moments come and go. As does everything. And when you realise this who is realising? One thought after another?

It’s just a thought. You always get the choice to attach to it or not. This may be true and this may be nonsense. Both are thoughts.

As Alan Watts once said “The meaning to life is living”

And you can only live in the now. Everything else is you talking to yourself.

Namaste

“Talkin' to myself and feelin' old
Sometimes I'd like to quit
Nothin' ever seems to fit
Hangin' around
Nothin' to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down” – The Carpenters