Rumination is the source of stress. Thinking, thinking, mental chatter. Perhaps useful when trying to solve an external world problem, but not so when we’re judging our inner world experiences such as thoughts and feelings.
In mindfulness we recognize that thoughts are like like random photo-bursts or mental events and so we don’t have to cling on to them nor need to take them as the absolute truth. The invitation is to mindfully watch thoughts like sitting at the bus stop watching cars come and go without engaging with them. Until when we are feeling more calm do we only look at thoughts that really need our attention. We end the practice with writings by Rumi.
Be empty of worrying.
Think of who created thought!
Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open?
Move outside the tangle of fear-thinking.
Live in silence.
Flow down and down in always widening rings of being.
Guide: Noelle Lim
Duration: 25 mins
Image credit: Eric Han
Kindermind Center 