Stop Restless Thoughts with this Practice

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Do you get carried away with restless thoughts? Distracted by rabbit holes - chasing a thought down, down, down until you are so caught up in it you can't get out? Or maybe you're easily susceptible to impulse buys (yeah...I'm still a work in progress on this one). The thing is, we do not have to be slaves to our restless thoughts. By shifting from the slave to the observer you can start selecting the thoughts  you want to roll with and filtering out those that simply do not serve you. You start creating a world the feels right to you - rather than a world that's spinning all around you, or a world that you are just skimming through. I have a beautiful practice to help you attune to the observer role and break free from the impulsive, repetitive or restless thoughts. You can use it at any moment...during a meditation, out shopping, while eating, during or after a conversation... The Practice:If you are able to close your eyes, do so. If not, no biggie...just try to "feel" the visual.Begin to take long, purposeful breaths. Inhale through the nose and exhale deeply through the mouth (if you're in front of someone, exhaling through the nose is perfectly ok)Begin by asking yourself "Does this really matter?"Let that sink in for a few moments. ...Does this REALLY matter??While inhaling, envision a ball of energy forming and growing smaller and more concentrated the deeper your inhale gets.On the exhale, imagine that ball turning into an animal that can fly (I like to use a butterfly, but a bird could work perfectly). As you exhale through your mouth visualize the animal gently flying away.Keep repeating the process.If you need an extra layer of support...if your thoughts are really going and the mind is extra chatty. Incorporate the word "Here" as you inhale. and "Now" as you exhale.Now, I know when you read this, it seems like a lot to do. But go ahead and give it a try. It's a beautiful, relaxing strategy that puts your thoughts into perspective. If you give yourself enough time to go through the breathing, by the time you open your eyes...you should know if "it really matters".Gently become the observer of your thoughts. Witness them rolling through like waves on an ocean. Decide which ones to jump over and which one you want to ride. YOU decide. The thoughts don't. Sat Nam