"Every once in a while, when we catch ourselves running with a train of thought, we should stop and consider how we got there, what triggered the thought , and whether it’s worth staying with it. [Thought as a Sense]
As an academic it was my job and pleasure to think critically. But there is a BIG difference between thinking critically and over thinking. Despite the voice above the cacophony of mental chatter, telling me to chill out, breathe, let go, intense emotions of my passionate idealism often get the better of me and exacerbate a vicious thinking cycle.
Yoga and meditation are my salvation. Connecting with the breath and developing an awareness around sensation and emotion is about tuning into our intuition and listening to what our body is telling us. As part of a greater whole, we are infinitely wise and this collective wisdom is not found in politics, academia or even popular religious dogma. Of course, in reality, my over analytical brain often responds with "what is that feeling?" "what does it mean?" "why am I feeling this?"; and my superhero grip on attachments, especially the kind that doesn't serve me (are there any other kind?) keeps me stuck everywhere but the present moment.
Calming the mind and shifting from a "thinking place" to a "feeling place" is most definitely easier said than done, but it's all about the journey. And what a wild journey it is as I continually return and follow my breath wherever it may take me.
Happy mindful, travels!
Namaste
Nancy-Anne
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