Do you ever feel confronted with various options when you need to make decisions?
Life is filled with decision making of one kind or another. There are the small decisions: what to eat, who to call, who to email and when, where to move, where to stay put, what job to apply for, what job to take, what course to study to pursue, where to travel, how much money to spend…
Perhaps the more you think about what to do, the more confused you feel. As for me, my thoughts can go around and around in circles.
When there is a decision to be made, it can be difficult to stop thinking about it. But the truth is, by not thinking about it an answer may come.
There are all of those stories in which scientists pondered problems for long periods of time—but it was only when they let it all go that the answer came through.
So think about your decision, weigh the pros and cons, examine it from all angles. Then, listen to music, go for a walk, cook a meal, or sit in meditation.
Clear a space. Make the place where you meditate special in some way, a place where you feel comfortable and where you can relax.
Sit comfortably but in an upright position with your back straight, either on a chair or on a cushion on the floor. If you need to, you may lean your back against a wall. The idea is to find a comfortable yet stable position.
Set your intention. Before you start, decide that you want to make the most of this time to be with yourself, non-judging, just allowing. Decide that if your attention wanders, you will bring it back and if you become sleepy, you will try to wake yourself up.
Return to your focus. Your mind will wander into thought again and again. This is natural. Meditation is just about noticing that the mind has wandered and returning it to your breathing or awareness of your body. No matter how many times your mind wanders or gets lost in thought, simply return it to whatever “anchor” you are working with, for example: the breath, the feeling of your body as it rests on the chair, or a sense of spaciousness within and around you.
Deal with Discomfort. If you feel discomfort in your body, tension, tingling, itching or stiffness, just notice that and try to remain in the same position. If you feel you have to move, go ahead and change your posture and then return to focusing on your breath. Sometimes if you pay attention to these areas of discomfort, the feeling may pass and the tension may release on its own.
If you feel disturbed at any time with emotion, you might open your eyes and re-connect with your surroundings. Think of someone or something that makes you feel secure and loved.
If you feel restless or too anxious to sit, you may also get up and walk mindfully for as long as you would like. You may continue this practice or you may return and sit for a bit longer.
Eventually the right decision will come to you.
“There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen.”
-Rumi
