Do I have to control my thoughts during meditation?

So far, we’ve busted four myths around meditation and moving further, I’d like to share another common belief that comes in our way when we try to meditate. This is probably the most favourite one of the “mind.”

We are a group of people who keep attending Nirali’s Full moon meditations and I keep sharing that every meditation gives me a different experience. Many times I hear some newcomers or some old members share their experiences- some extravagant experiences and sometimes share that, “I had a bad day, I couldn’t experience like the last time or It wasn’t like what other people experienced.” This observation brought me to write about myth 5 because I myself once experienced it. But I was lucky to be able to discuss my experience with Nirali Shah that changed my perspective, and I’m sharing it here so that it would help you too.

Myth 5 is all about, “Having the urge to control thoughts and emotions during the meditation session.”

Usually, on meditation days, I find it fun and easy to follow the guidance. But somehow one such meditation night, I sat with a water bottle, checked my network but wasn’t as excited. I didn’t have a great day and my mind kept wandering around random things. My need got me to attend the session but I wasn’t fully present. During the session, I was asked to visualize something.. but my mind would take me to something else. It was frustrating for sure because right in the middle of the process, where I was expecting to find peace, I was feeling crankier. I tried hard to tell my mind to save the other thoughts for another day and just help me “focus” on what is being told.

My usual happy puppy face at the end of the meditation was now that of a grumpy child whose favourite chocolate was stolen.! How often do we get upset because things don’t go as planned? And we try so hard to control and turn the situation in our favour. But does the act of controlling really work out in every situation? I knew controlling didn’t work out for me in this situation.. but rather left me caught in a trap.

When I had an open conversation with Nirali Shah that this happened with me and what made this happen, helped me recognize there is something here that needs to be changed. And I would like to share this information so that more of you (when at all you plan to join for the meditation) come with totally open space and focus on what you’re here to change while you’re in the process.

Many times I’ve heard Nirali speak that, “Do not expect a fixed outcome, it is not about focusing on a certain thing.” I realized that the essence of meditations with her is to be able to enjoy the process without controlling my thoughts or what I experience. Although it is a guided meditation, what each individual experiences are unique to them. Whatever they need to feel and release show ups for them. In the process, sometimes they might feel they are not following what is said.

It was so relieving to know I didn’t have to follow what was said as it is.. that meditations with her are always about experiences and the energy that follows and not mere words that one needs to blindly follow.

And after reading this, you feel ready to experience what it feels like to attend full moon meditations with Nirali Shah, then click on the link below to know more. You can register for the meditation through me.

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