Shhh . . . ! How to Quiet the Mind
Have you ever found yourself so far into another person’s “story” that you are the jury, the judge, the court reporter and the audience? You can see everything so clearly and know all of the right answers for someone else’s situation. You replay the tape over and over again in your mind, leaving no stone unturned. If only they would make a different decision or listen to the advice they’ve been given, the whole story would make life so much simpler. Simpler for who? Would their decision affect you in a positive way, if only they would do what you think is best? You have to ask yourself why you are investing so much of your thought in another person’s life story.
Can you feel a shift in your body, attitude or mood when caught up in thinking this way? Tension affects your body, mind, spirit and being just as relaxation or harmony affects them in the opposite manner. How do you prefer to feel? If you are always mentally, physically or emotionally involved in someone else’s business this will not bring about harmony. It will steal time and productivity as well.
When you mind your business, life is way less stressful.
Worry is a culprit that drains the energy tank and never replaces what is takes away. When you find yourself worrying over events that have not occurred you are not only sending out negative energy, you are actually blocking the positive receptors and depleting the energetic reservoir. Perhaps someone has done something upsetting and you lament over the who, what, where, when and why of it all? How could they do this to you? What will happen next? What does it all mean?
Our minds are powerful instruments capable of shaping our reality. By cultivating positive, focused and empowering thoughts, we initiate a transformative process within ourselves.
The broken record of endless worrisome thoughts happens to everyone. So how can you shift your focus mid-thought? When you feel yourself replaying a scenario over and over, or you seem to be filled with aggressive mental suggestions (he did mewrong, she shouldn’t act that way, I deserve better and so on), one quick, immediate practice to quiet the mind is to audibly or silently say “Shhh! Shhh! Shhh!” Allow the word to fill your mind, detract your thoughts from the constant barrage of suggestions that bring you down or stimulate unwanted feelings or thought patterns. Shhh! Shhh! Shhh!
Repeated thoughts can include turmoil, anger, conflict, judgment, shame, guilt, ill will or fear. Regardless of the attachment to these you do not need to be a victim. Stand up for yourself and what you think. If it is anything but good, it sabotages and robs us and others of the good that exists. We simply can’t see it if we are too busy being caught up in the lies that need to be Shhh’ed instead!
Sometimes it’s so hard to stop the unwelcome thoughts from flooding your consciousness. This simple word combined with some intentional deep breathing can be invaluable and incredibly useful. Once you quiet the mind, you can either enjoy the momentary silence or you can actually make space for healthier thoughts to emerge. Don’t be surprised if you have to say this word over and over. It can be a tall order to get thoughts under control, but it is possible. Shhh! Shhh! Shhh!
The quieter you become, the more you can hear. Another useful tool is from the Bible.
You can break it down to its simplest form:
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Be. Shhh! Shhh! Shhh! Sit with the silence that follows. Stay consistent with this simple message as the dark thoughts creep their way back in. You are in charge of your thinking and actions. Having easy access to a pure word or easy thought creates a natural break in the otherwise worrisome or stressful thoughts that were there moments before. Repeat the process as necessary, until you increase the amount of time and space in between the energy-exhausting litany.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” — Maya Angelou
The bottom line is, you must replace the negative thought patterns with its positive opposite, or with silence. Just remind yourself that you want to reject the stressful thinking that leads to stressful feeling. Quiet the mind. Start with Shhh! Shhh! Shhh! A deep inhalation—up to a 10-second count—and a slow and steady exhalation—another 10 second count. Notice the tension start to fade. Stay with it until you have created a more calm presence. Be still and know.