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Meditation teachers say a noisy mind is not failure
Hindustan Times··29 Aug
Spiritual teachers say a busy mind during meditation does not mean failure. Tara Brach encourages noticing difficult thoughts instead of pushing them away. Sharon Salzberg writes about returning attention to the breath when the mind wanders. Aathman Awareness Centre said meditation can often surface background thoughts. Peace may not be the whole point of meditation.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Meditation beginners who expect silence may find it more useful to notice wandering thoughts than to fight them.
- Practitioners can return attention to the breath when thoughts take over, rather than blaming themselves.
- Sitting quietly can reveal recurring thoughts or avoided emotions without requiring immediate resolution.
What's Happening
- Many people start meditation seeking peace and a break from a busy day.
- Brach's approach focuses on paying attention to the present moment with kindness.
- Salzberg describes the practice as noticing you have wandered and coming back.
When Meditation Feels Noisy
- Aathman Awareness Centre said stillness can make inner noise easier to see.
- Peace can be one part of meditation but may not be the whole point.
- The goal is not to win a battle against your thoughts, Salzberg writes.
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