Q: Hi Loreen, I have tried to meditate many times and I just can't do it! My mind won't shut-up. Do you have any tips? Thanks!
A: Simply be here NOW. Take some time to sit in silence each day and become aware of everything that is, this present moment.
Breathe and allow your senses to peak.
Notice what you hear.
Notice what you feel.
Notice what you smell.
Just sink into each moment and allow it to be exactly what it is. Shut your eyes and be here fully. This is all that meditation is. There is no proper way to meditate. If you say that you have tried to meditate but can't, it may be because you have a preconceived notion of what it's suppose to be like. Anytime we 'try to do' anything, we are in 'doing-ness.' Meditation is not about doing, it's about 'being' here, right now, in this moment and accepting what is.
If your mind rambles on and on, accept that too. Be the observer of it all without judging or striving to change anything. Just allow any thoughts to move through you. It's kinda like balancing on a tight-rope - never swaying too far in either direction.
Your mind will want you to get 'there' or it will think of a zillion things you should be doing instead. Gently say,
noand redirect your focus on your breathing. This keeps the mind occupied. You may feel like grabbing a hold of a feeling or sensation. Allow them to flow through you as well. Just like fine-tuning a radio channel, you are tuning into the frequency of you. Once you have a static-free connection, there you are.
One last tip: Each time you sit down to meditate, make a practice of lighting a candle, or defusing essentail oils, or burning incense. Eventually, your mind will take it as a cue to quiet the chatter.
I appreciate your question and hope this helps.
Write back and let me know how things are going!