The Lazy Yogi

longhairedpixie asked: Hi again, I have another question for you. I've tried meditating the past few days to cope with the lonliness vs aloneness thing that we discussed previously, but as is expected I'm having some difficulty with it. I read in your meditation guide that you are supposed to observe your thoughts and let them come naturally without assessing them or pushing them away, but I'm having difficulty differentiating between observing and assessing, actively thinking and just letting thoughts come. Thoughts?

It is difficult at first, I understand. The difference between watching your thoughts and assessing your thoughts is fairly straight forward. 

When you meditate, keep your attention gently focused between your eyebrows. When thoughts come, simply keep your attention there. That is observation. 

Assessing, judging, and thinking about thoughts create trains of thought. When you have a thought and then create a thought about that thought and then follow your thoughts onward from there, that is not observation. That is thinking. 

When you catch yourself thinking, just bring your attention back to focusing between the eyebrows. Empty yourself and continue watching. 

At first it will seem like your thoughts are endless but over time they will become less frequent and cease. Along the way, you may experience moments of utter silence, stillness, and clarity, which can be encouraging. 

Keep at it! The more you meditate, the less stuff will be rattling around in your head. It makes a big difference in a lot of ways, emotionally, mentally, and even physically. 

Namaste!