Quieting the Chattering Mind

by Genevieve Gerard

Meditation is practiced for many different reasons and purposes. One among these is to quiet the mind of the endless chatter in which an undisciplined mind engages. This chatter is usually negative self thought that creates negative feelings. The mindless chatter is filled with unfulfilled desires and critical judgments of the self, with “should have,” “could have” and “ought to” as repetitive phrases. This chatter goes on and on, never being satisfied with what is because it is always focused upon desires that are based on imagined ideals. These imagined ideals are created and fed by popular music, movies, advertisements and impressions of what it believes to be going on in the life of others.

This chatter can destroy the chance for peace and true happiness, because in the constant noise that focuses on what “should be,” the fullness of what is happening is missed. Feelings of despair can be generated as the mind compares real life to these fantasy ideals. In the noise of the chatter, moments that offer the opportunity for joy or peace are drowned out by the criticism of one’s life, that there aren’t more of these moments of joy or peace.

The nature of this mindless chatter is to never be satisfied. If something wonderful happens the mind can quickly becomes fearful of the loss of the wonderful moment, thus diminishing, and ultimately blocking the experience of joy. The mind chatters on and on, “Why can not every moment, person or event be this wonderful? Why must I loose this?” On and on the mind spins discontent, even in the happy events of life, judging each experience and fearing that unhappiness is lurking behind every joy. As this chatter fills the mind it obliterates from the consciousness the experience of the moment.

Through the practice of meditation the mind becomes free to experience the moment. In the moment, joy can emerge to be experienced and appreciated. In the awareness of each moment feelings of deep peace can replace the feelings of discontent that the mind chatter manifests.

The longer one can quiet the mind the deeper and fuller this experience becomes. At first one might only be able to quiet the mind for a brief moment, but that moment is a timeless celebration of what is. The Soul is freed and the spirit soars. In the peace within, the mind is able to experience an awareness of life in all of its fullness. For even in just a moment without the nagging distraction of the mind’s chatter one can glimpse the incredible freedom and power of living in the moment.

There are a myriad of meditation techniques that have been employed for thousands of years to teach quieting the mind so that the aspiring student can experience the moment. In just one moment in which one can fully be in the moment rests the wisdom of the sages and the wisdom of the ages. Once you have found your way into that moment you can begin to assert the mastery of your Higher Self over your lower mind and come to know the joy, the peace and the freedom that are available to you.

The lower mind, the chattering mind, will struggle to stay in control of you and your life. A combination of the practice and discipline of meditation will teach you to quiet the mind over the objections, tricks and distractions the lower mind will offer. Each moment of quiet you achieve is its own reward. And with practice and discipline you can extend the quiet, bringing you joy and the fullness of life.

Copyright © 2009 & 2011 Genevieve Gerard