How to stop overthinking with meditation?
Gals! Let’s not beat around the bush and come straight to the point. Thinking is our natural state of being. There is a popular saying that goes ‘I think, therefore I am’. Thus, you can see that it is impossible to escape the process of thinking and shun your thoughts altogether.
The inception of thoughts
From the time of birth, as we begin to grow in our surroundings, we start to develop our own thoughts. We are shaped by our thoughts and many childhood experiences are recorded and processed as thoughts. Through this natural process of thinking, we can arrive at certain conclusions in life.
“Thoughts and thinking is a form of self-talk which helps us communicate to ourselves about the world we are witnessing. Thinking about what we see on a daily basis; what we hear from those around us, and what we feel, taste, touch, and sense gives us the ability to form opinions and beliefs that could be unique to us,” shares yoga and spiritual guru, Grand Master Akshar, with HealthShots.
Thinking and meditation
Thinking alone is an instinctive reflex and may not necessarily be an obstacle when it comes to meditation. However, overthinking may become too distracting and cause a hindrance to the process of meditation. Overthinking acts as an obstacle that stands between you and your complete alignment.
Some yoga mudras that can help you control overthinking
Sakshi dhyan
The word sakshi means to ‘observe’ or ‘to witness’. And in this particular technique of meditation, you play the role of a witness, observing your own thoughts, while you are seated to meditate in silence.
“Do not engage with your thoughts, avoid fighting with your thoughts or even trying to escape them. Instead, simply focus on sitting still and accepting your thoughts without any personal involvement or judgment. Watch them go by as a third person simply being a witness without any opinion of what is right or wrong,” recommends Grand Master Akshar.
Bhavigatha dhyan
The meaning of the word bhavigatha is upward movement or upward motion like that of a flame. The laws of gravity interact differently and influence the elements of fire and water in opposite ways. When it comes to water, gravity causes water to flow downstream or downward. And whenever you light a fire, the flames are always dancing upwards reaching towards the skies.
In this meditation technique, your thoughts will focus on positivity. Build good energies by thinking about the kind of productive aspects you can incorporate in your life or make a list of things you need to complete that could help you grow. Under this form of meditation comes agni dhyan, tratak dhyan etc.
With the help of these powerful and positive thoughts, you will be able to gain calm and composure.
