In our fast-paced world, finding moments of stillness and clarity can seem like a luxury. Yet, these moments are essential for our mental and emotional well-being. One powerful practice that can help us cultivate a sense of inner peace and allow for new insights to drop into us, is meditation. Today, we're going to explore a technique that will help you experience meditation in a different way.
Imagine yourself standing in the middle of a huge room. It's spacious, and completely empty, except for one thing—a large glass jar. This jar represents your mind, and it holds your thoughts, represented by different colourful bubbles.
As you stand in the room, allow yourself to become aware of your thoughts. Just notice them, as you think about your day, your life, your worries, your dreams—anything that happens to float by or that typically occupies your mind.
Now, as these thoughts pop up, one by one, imagine that you are gently placing each thought bubble into the jar. Visualize each thought taking on this round shape as you do this—positive or negative, it doesn't matter. Once you've filled the jar with your thoughts, step back and observe. Notice that you're not engaging with the thoughts anymore; you're simply watching them, neutrally observing.
Now, imagine yourself slowly backing away from the jar. You move towards the door and can still see the jar with your swirling thoughts, as you step outside through the door. In this state of neutral observation, you're detached from the thoughts, just observing without judgment or analysis.
Spend a few peaceful moments (30 seconds, or 30 minutes; it’s up to you) in this calm state, then allow yourself to say thank you to the day, and return into the large room. Thank the room for holding this space for you, and send your gratitude to the jar that is holding all of your thoughts.
And if there are some thoughts that you feel would be better off remaining in the jar, leave them there. You can always come back for them another time if you really need them. But for now let them remain here. Feel the lightness in your body; in your heart; in your mind.
Remember, meditation is not about suppressing or controlling your thoughts. It's about cultivating awareness and acceptance of whatever arises in your mind. By focusing outside the jar of your thoughts, and observing them from a distance, you'll gain valuable insight into your inner world.
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed or stressed, find a quiet space, close your eyes, and visualize yourself in that vast room, with your jar of thought bubbles. Allow yourself to become aware of your thoughts, then gently place them into the jar where you can just observe them, as they are. With practice, you'll find yourself feeling more centered, grounded, and able to tap into your wisdom and find greater clarity in your life.
