How Can You Quiet Your Mind? | Joel Brookman

In our last discussion, we examined the challenge many of us face in managing the constant internal dialogue within our minds.

I made the suggestion of redirecting your awareness to avoid dwelling on unpleasant or stressful thoughts. The question is, other than during sleep, do you ever quiet your mind? Do you know how? What if you took the time to just be?

Most of us have an activity we find therapeutic that puts us in the moment. Skiing does that for me. It forces me to be present. For other people it could be gardening, walking the dog, or some type of exercise. This is how we disconnect from the inner dialogue and stop thinking. The question is, how often do you do it, and are you truly able to quiet your mind?

What if you had a daily routine where you would sit in a relaxing spot in your home, close your eyes, focus on your breath, and allow your mind to quiet down? As you evolved in this practice, you would become an observer of your thoughts. You would realize that you are not your thoughts, you are something much bigger. With this realization comes perspective.

Have you ever been in a situation where you were having a horrible day, feeling sorry for yourself, complaining to people around you? You then get a call from an acquaintance telling you their loved one has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. All of a sudden your problems seem insignificant. This is the perspective I am talking about. The beauty of a daily disconnection activity is that it does just that; it continually recalibrates your mind. It allows you to put things in perspective without having to endure a traumatic experience.

The suggestion for this week is to find a time and place where you will not be interrupted and disconnect. The easiest time is upon waking in the morning or just before going to bed in the evening. Create the habit of sitting, relaxing, and observing your thoughts. Notice the dialogue as it enters your mind and just let it go. Concentrate on your breath. It’s helpful for some people to count the breaths going in and out as a way to maintain focus. As you do this each day for 10-20 minutes you will begin to notice many positive changes in your life. Your stress level will diminish, your sleep should improve and you will become a more pleasant person. Make a commitment to take 10 minutes a day to quiet your mind.