Sounds of Silence!
‘I wish I knew how to meditate amidst noise,’ said Nancy as she searched for a quiet little corner to meditate in her house where two of her younger siblings were playing and screaming on the top of their voice along with their pet Deo. ‘How do I find just a few quiet moments during the day to meditate?’
It is obviously ideal to meditate in a quiet place, for instance early morning when everyone is asleep, but our perfect quiet world might not always exist. Let’s look at some tips that can help you meditate even in noise. For those who meditate regularly, these meditation techniques can help you have a better experience.
Dealing with the noise outside
It is very important to become aware of the noise in your surroundings. Once you are aware, gradually take your attention towards the noisy environment and observe each sound. This brings your mind to the present moment and makes it easier to accept the noise (acceptance can only happen in the present moment). Once you accept, your mind settles down and there comes a point when you transcend this noise, and it stops bothering you.
How do I quiet the noise inside my mind?
Let’s have a look at a few ways that can help you shut down the noisy chatter and meditate peacefully.
Doing a little bit of physical exercise such as yoga postures will help release the restlessness in your body and mind. This will bring stillness in the body, silence the mind.
Doing a few minutes of pranayama would also add to the positive effect of meditation.
Eating a vegetarian diet full of green vegetables, fruits, pulses and grains is advisable for a better experience.
Once again, the key is accepting. Normally when our mind is full of endless thoughts, we either try to resist them or we get into a constant chatter with ourselves and we start judging them as good and bad thoughts. Resisting thoughts does not help because they keep coming back (What you resist, persists!). But when we accept the thoughts as they come, we transcend to the witness consciousness. This brings the mind to the present moment and helps it to settle down.
‘I wish I knew how to meditate amidst noise,’ said Nancy as she searched for a quiet little corner to meditate in her house where two of her younger siblings were playing and screaming on the top of their voice along with their pet Deo. ‘How do I find just a few quiet moments during the day to meditate?’
It is obviously ideal to meditate in a quiet place, for instance early morning when everyone is asleep, but our perfect quiet world might not always exist. Let’s look at some tips that can help you meditate even in noise. For those who meditate regularly, these meditation techniques can help you have a better experience.
Dealing with the noise outside
It is very important to become aware of the noise in your surroundings. Once you are aware, gradually take your attention towards the noisy environment and observe each sound. This brings your mind to the present moment and makes it easier to accept the noise (acceptance can only happen in the present moment). Once you accept, your mind settles down and there comes a point when you transcend this noise, and it stops bothering you.
How do I quiet the noise inside my mind?
Let’s have a look at a few ways that can help you shut down the noisy chatter and meditate peacefully.
Doing a little bit of physical exercise such as yoga postures will help release the restlessness in your body and mind. This will bring stillness in the body, silence the mind.
Doing a few minutes of pranayama would also add to the positive effect of meditation.
Eating a vegetarian diet full of green vegetables, fruits, pulses and grains is advisable for a better experience.
Once again, the key is accepting. Normally when our mind is full of endless thoughts, we either try to resist them or we get into a constant chatter with ourselves and we start judging them as good and bad thoughts. Resisting thoughts does not help because they keep coming back (What you resist, persists!). But when we accept the thoughts as they come, we transcend to the witness consciousness. This brings the mind to the present moment and helps it to settle down.