Thoughts and Emotions

Mindfulness of Thoughts and Emotions

When we are present, one of the things that we notice happening in the mind is thoughts. Thoughts arise in the mind, display themselves and then dissolve in the mind. 

We tend to think that meditation is about clearing the mind of thoughts. This is not correct. 

Meditation is about allowing thoughts to come and go without engaging or interfering with the thoughts. So do not worry about there being thoughts in the mind. The purpose of the mind is to experience thoughts, just as the purpose of the ears is to experience sounds. 

Generally, a thought arises in the mind and then we get caught up in thinking. When we get caught up in thinking we can become distracted by losing touch with the present moment. No problem. At some point remember that we are practicing being present. As soon as we remember, we become present once more and begin paying attention to what is happening in the mind. 

If we are present, then we can begin to notice the thoughts coming and going through the mind. Initially, we might only notice a few thoughts, but as our presence grows we may begin to notice more and more thoughts. This can feel like our mind is getting busier, but it isn’t. Instead we are noticing more of the thoughts that were already buzzing around the mind. No problem. 

One of the things you might notice is that the thoughts are changing all the time. Another thing that you might notice is certain patterns or themes of thinking happening in the mind. Does your mind tend to think about the future or the past? Does your mind tend to dwell on particular topics or issues? 

Some thoughts might be considered pleasant and other thoughts might be considered unpleasant. It doesn’t matter. We just notice the thoughts.

Another thing that we experience when we are present is emotional feelings. When we experience a feeling such as happiness or sadness, confidence or anxiety, love or anger, we simply notice. 

To begin with it can be tricky to identify emotions when we experience them, but gradually over time and with practice we can become familiar with the wide range of emotions we all experience. So if you struggle to identify and feel emotions, no problem, it takes time. 

Emotions have two aspects to them; thoughts and sensations. For example, if we are feeling anxious we might notice anxious thoughts and feelings of anxiety in the body, such as a tightness in the chest, butterflies in the stomach or changes in how we are breathing. 

Some emotions may be considered pleasant and other emotions may be considered unpleasant. It doesn’t matter. We just notice the emotions.

The aim of meditation is not to get rid of troubling thoughts or uncomfortable emotions. The aim of meditation is to familiarise ourselves with the habits of the mind, including our thinking habits and our emotional habits. 

The process of familiarisation, without trying to fix or change anything that is happening in the mind, surprisingly creates the conditions for the mind to change of its own accord. We have to take this on trust to begin with. 

So when you practice being present, surrender the thoughts to unfold themselves in the mind. Also, surrender the emotions to unfold themselves in the mind and body. 

Along with this surrender, trust that all that is needed is to notice and allow the thoughts and emotions. 

Surrender and trust!