CJ #4 How often do you allow your mind to roam?

How often do you allow your mind to roam?

For many of us just the thought of letting our minds roam free can be a scary one.

I often find that when I sit down to meditate or feed Mac, my mind goes straight to the things I need to do whether around the house or for my work, the plans I want to make, offerings I want to share, or even my plan for the next couple of hours. Since doing my morning pages, I have noticed that I am almost always planning.

Today as I sat down to meditate, I noticed these plans coming in - and I let them go as I reminded myself to embrace the expansiveness of this moment.

As soon as I thought those words, it felt like a rush of fresh air as I imagined a desert of sand that swooped around me and went on for as far as the eye could see.

I let myself be present to what I was experiencing. And I kept my focus, when my mind would wander I would come back to this feeling of openness, of letting whatever was happening to happen.

It’s not often I am so transported in my meditation practice. Most of the time it is a continual practice of bringing my mind back to the present as I notice each time it wanders.

Today I was reminded of how powerful our minds are. I noticed when worries would come into the mind, and instead I’d follow this feeling of expansiveness, of hope, of joy and wonder… and it was amazing what came to mind/where I was transported to.

Now don’t get me wrong, the “goal” of meditation is not necessarily to have an experience like this one. Not that I personally believe there should be a goal per sé.

But it got me thinking -

𖤓 How often do I allow my mind to wander?

𖤓 How often do I allow myself to imagine beautiful far off places, to find a sense of playfulness and imagination when I sit and allow my mind to roam there?

In your practice this week, I invite you to ask yourself these questions.

Our minds are very powerful - if just the thought of grand deserts, mountains, waterfalls, forests can have this great effect on how we are feeling - why not indulge in those thoughts even for 5 minutes of the day?

Have a wonderful rest of your week. If you have any questions, or anything you’d like to share - feel free to email me at hello@patiencescarles.com.

Warmest,

Patience