Guided Meditation
Awareness Of Thought

For we will focus on thought and the process of thinking. This is an advanced practice and is best to do after there is a familiarity with meditation and the mind is steady.

To begin, assume your meditation position, one that supports your ability to concentrate and quiet. As with the other meditations, make sure that you will not be interrupted by phone calls or external demands. Remember, this is a time for you to observe the workings of your mind without judgment.

You can start by bringing your awareness to your breath. Allow your breath to anchor you to the present moment. You will also notice sound, sensation, and thought but let it be background as you focus on the process of breathing. Note what arises in your awareness but return to the breath.

When your attention is steady you can let the breath recede as your primary object of attention and open to thought as your focus. It is important to stay grounded in the present moment as you do this. When a thought enters your awareness, simply note it. If you like you can label it, such as: judgment, expectation, opinion, or worry (past or future). You can notice how one thought leads to another, and how easy it is to be swept away by thinking. Perhaps, as you give yourself permission to observe the thinking process, the mind will be quiet. Noticing this can precipitate a thought. Simply observe. If you find yourself being lost in thought, return to your breath or to sound, steady yourself in the present moment, and then return to the observation of thinking.

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