I intended to record this meditation outdoors, near a stream, to bring the calming influence of nature into it.
But the black flies were out and had other ideas.
I went out to a favourite spot near my home. There was a beautiful waterfall, towering old trees and a gently flowing brook.
But minutes after I set out to start recording, they found me. Buzzing around my head, occasionally alighting on me in hopes of a meal.
I swatted at them as they intruded on my recording session, feeling annoyed and disappointed.
Thoughts, during meditation, can be a bit like those black flies. They show up out of nowhere, buzz around in our heads, distracting and often annoying us during a time we set aside for calmness and care.
Sometimes, like the black flies, the thoughts can bite. Other times, they’re more like gnats or houseflies; they bug us, but they don’t sting.
No matter the type of thought, paying attention to its nature can turn what might otherwise feel like an annoyance into an opportunity for insight.
When we notice we’ve drifted off into thought, we can practice noting. That involves letting our anchor (the object of our meditation) fade into the background and placing our awareness on the thoughts.
Where do we go when we drift from the present moment?
What stories do we get caught in? Are thoughts repeating? And is there an emotion beneath them?
By inquiring in this way, we can start to learn our habits of mind.
The more familiar we become with those habits, the easier it will be to start working with them. To guide our minds and lives in more skilful ways, both on and off the cushion. I hope this practice is of benefit!
If you do this practice and feel inspired, I’d love to hear about your experience. What was this practice like for you? What did you notice about your thought patterns?
Send me a message or leave a comment to share!
