I loved Sarah Wilson’s article in this week’s Sunday Life magazine (a copy of which is also available on Sarah’s blog).
Sarah was due to meet with the Dalai Lama last week and a few days ahead of time she found herself wondering about what to ask him. Finally she settled on a question that I get asked in every one of my meditation classes – “How do I get my mind to shut up?'” To which His Holiness replied, “There’s no use. Silly! Impossible to achieve! If you can do it, great. If not, waste of time.”
What a fabulous response. He has a terrific sense of humour, this wonderful man. Whenever I’ve been to see him speak I’ve been delighted by his lightheartedness.
Many meditation teachers may disagree but I’m with him on this one. Stopping the mind from chattering is impossible for most of us to achieve other than for the briefest moments.
I believe the real objective of meditation is awareness. Rather than aiming for complete silence in the mind, try just noticing the chatter and watching it go by without getting caught up in it.
