Browse
Top articles
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
Benefits of Mindfulness: Mindful Living Can Change Your Life
Mindfulness 101: A Beginner's Guide
00:00
00:00
Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:
Hi, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about one of the goals of meditation in relationship to working with thoughts. So I'm going to share a quote with you. It's anonymous and it says, "The goal of meditation is not to control your thoughts, but to stop letting them control you." The goal of meditation is not to control your thoughts, but to stop letting them control you. So notice how that lands for you.
I would add some nuance to this because I do think one of the things we are doing in meditation is developing a sense of agency and influence over our thinking mind. We're practicing being aware of the thoughts as they arise. And learning to redirect our attention back to the breath or some object of focus. And you could argue that that is a form of learning to control your thoughts, thoughts, and work with them more skillfully. But as it relates to the deeper freedom we can access in meditation, the deeper internal peace, yes.
That is a different game where it's not about controlling the thoughts, but really developing a relationship with our thoughts where they no longer have the same control over us. So how do we do that? Because much of the time when we sit down and we practice, there is this sense that especially in the beginning of a meditation practice,, that our thoughts are creating stress for us. And the, the peace that we tend to find, or think that we're working toward is contingent upon the absence of thoughts or by focusing really strongly, and then when the mind is centered, then we have that's a peace. But if you also notice that there might be times in your practice where the mind can be thinking, going off in whatever sorts of thoughts, positive or negative, but there's also a sense of ease and grounded-ness in your body. It's almost as if the thoughts are happening in the background, like radio noise, where they're there, but they don't have the same emotional charge to them.
That's one of the things we're working toward in meditation, and we could argue is one of the primary goals of meditation. Where the thinking mind can exist because it's always going to exist. As long as we're human, we're going to have thoughts. And while it might be useful to learn to redirect our attention, if we're always creating a sense of stress or getting activated by those thoughts when they're there, then we're still in a sense enslaved to the thinking mind. However, in our meditation practice, we can practice dropping into those spaces where we allow thoughts to be there and just watch them coming and going.
And one of the ways I like to do this is to notice when I'm tensing around my thinking mind, when I find myself going, oh, I don't like this right now. I'm frustrated by this thought or really trying to rip my attention back to whatever it is I'm focusing on. In those moments, those are really the opportunities to look at how your relationship to your thoughts is still one of trying to control them and making your peace contingent upon controlling them. That's an opportunity to soften. Relax the tension in your body and just go, it's just a thought, it's just a thought.
You might have to do that a hundred times, a thousand times, 10,000 times over the course of years, but eventually what will happen, it won't take years. You will develop a from relationship to thoughts and instead of them controlling you, you all have a more, a sense of inner freedom and inner peace that allows them to be there without the same emotional activation. So again, the goal of meditation is not to control your thoughts, but to stop letting them control you. Take that into your day and your practice. Thank you for your practice and let's settle in for today's meditation.
The Goal of Meditation
Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:
Duration
Your default time is based on your progress and is changed automatically as you practice.
Hi, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about one of the goals of meditation in relationship to working with thoughts. So I'm going to share a quote with you. It's anonymous and it says, "The goal of meditation is not to control your thoughts, but to stop letting them control you." The goal of meditation is not to control your thoughts, but to stop letting them control you. So notice how that lands for you.
I would add some nuance to this because I do think one of the things we are doing in meditation is developing a sense of agency and influence over our thinking mind. We're practicing being aware of the thoughts as they arise. And learning to redirect our attention back to the breath or some object of focus. And you could argue that that is a form of learning to control your thoughts, thoughts, and work with them more skillfully. But as it relates to the deeper freedom we can access in meditation, the deeper internal peace, yes.
That is a different game where it's not about controlling the thoughts, but really developing a relationship with our thoughts where they no longer have the same control over us. So how do we do that? Because much of the time when we sit down and we practice, there is this sense that especially in the beginning of a meditation practice,, that our thoughts are creating stress for us. And the, the peace that we tend to find, or think that we're working toward is contingent upon the absence of thoughts or by focusing really strongly, and then when the mind is centered, then we have that's a peace. But if you also notice that there might be times in your practice where the mind can be thinking, going off in whatever sorts of thoughts, positive or negative, but there's also a sense of ease and grounded-ness in your body. It's almost as if the thoughts are happening in the background, like radio noise, where they're there, but they don't have the same emotional charge to them.
That's one of the things we're working toward in meditation, and we could argue is one of the primary goals of meditation. Where the thinking mind can exist because it's always going to exist. As long as we're human, we're going to have thoughts. And while it might be useful to learn to redirect our attention, if we're always creating a sense of stress or getting activated by those thoughts when they're there, then we're still in a sense enslaved to the thinking mind. However, in our meditation practice, we can practice dropping into those spaces where we allow thoughts to be there and just watch them coming and going.
And one of the ways I like to do this is to notice when I'm tensing around my thinking mind, when I find myself going, oh, I don't like this right now. I'm frustrated by this thought or really trying to rip my attention back to whatever it is I'm focusing on. In those moments, those are really the opportunities to look at how your relationship to your thoughts is still one of trying to control them and making your peace contingent upon controlling them. That's an opportunity to soften. Relax the tension in your body and just go, it's just a thought, it's just a thought.
You might have to do that a hundred times, a thousand times, 10,000 times over the course of years, but eventually what will happen, it won't take years. You will develop a from relationship to thoughts and instead of them controlling you, you all have a more, a sense of inner freedom and inner peace that allows them to be there without the same emotional activation. So again, the goal of meditation is not to control your thoughts, but to stop letting them control you. Take that into your day and your practice. Thank you for your practice and let's settle in for today's meditation.
Duration
Play in-app
Scan the following QR code with your camera app to open it on our mobile app
Get Unlimited Access
A Mindfulness Plus+ subscription gives you unlimited access to a world of premium mindfulness content.
Email Missing
We couldn’t detect your email with the SSO provider you have selected.We are here to make a positive impact on the world. We never want to sell you something that hasn’t helped you live a better life. That’s why if you’re unhappy with any purchase from us, you have 30 days to get a full refund and your money back.
If you subscribed to Mindfulness Plus+ and are unhappy with your purchase, please get in contact with us within the 30-day period and we’ll refund your purchase.
Learn more about our Mindfulness Guarantee.
Mindfulness
We believe in a world where everybody has access to the life-changing skills of mindfulness.
Private Browsing
Congratulations on taking the first step towards a more mindful life! As a token of our appreciation, we want to offer you an exclusive opportunity to upgrade to Mindfulness Plus+ for a price you won't find anywhere else.
Mindfulness Plus+ is our premium membership that includes everything you need to learn mindfulness and keep practicing throughout all stages of life.
Take this exclusive offer to further your mindfulness skills and experience deeper levels of well-being.
Annual membership
$0
Just a small sample of the life-changing 5-star reviews we get on a daily basis.
Vidyamala’s tips on catching anger as it’s happening or about to happen are great - clear, practical, and doable.
- Vicoir
The little talks before the meditations are priceless. It's like I've found my peeps. The topics, the quotes, the goals—it all makes so much sense to me, things I want to be thinking and learning about. Most importantly, the meditations are kindness-centered, which I love. It feels like a new way to approach meditation.
- Lauren
Incredible, easy to navigate app. I would highly recommend this app to anyone who wishes to reduce stress and anxiety or simply as an aid to improve overall mental health.
- Kirtus
I love how the app gives me pointers to new things to explore.
- Lydia
So calm and soothing. I love the new bundle with Kelly Boys, she’s brilliant!
- EJ
Better than Headspace. I've had the paid version of both apps, and I must say I enjoy this one better.
- Gina, Plus+ Member
Vidyamala’s tips on catching anger as it’s happening or about to happen are great - clear, practical, and doable.
- Vicoir
The little talks before the meditations are priceless. It's like I've found my peeps. The topics, the quotes, the goals—it all makes so much sense to me, things I want to be thinking and learning about. Most importantly, the meditations are kindness-centered, which I love. It feels like a new way to approach meditation.
- Lauren
Incredible, easy to navigate app. I would highly recommend this app to anyone who wishes to reduce stress and anxiety or simply as an aid to improve overall mental health.
- Kirtus
I love how the app gives me pointers to new things to explore.
- Lydia
So calm and soothing. I love the new bundle with Kelly Boys, she’s brilliant!
- EJ
Better than Headspace. I've had the paid version of both apps, and I must say I enjoy this one better.
- Gina, Plus+ Member
Vidyamala’s tips on catching anger as it’s happening or about to happen are great - clear, practical, and doable.
- Vicoir
The little talks before the meditations are priceless. It's like I've found my peeps. The topics, the quotes, the goals—it all makes so much sense to me, things I want to be thinking and learning about. Most importantly, the meditations are kindness-centered, which I love. It feels like a new way to approach meditation.
- Lauren
Incredible, easy to navigate app. I would highly recommend this app to anyone who wishes to reduce stress and anxiety or simply as an aid to improve overall mental health.
- Kirtus
I love how the app gives me pointers to new things to explore.
- Lydia
So calm and soothing. I love the new bundle with Kelly Boys, she’s brilliant!
- EJ
Better than Headspace. I've had the paid version of both apps, and I must say I enjoy this one better.
- Gina, Plus+ Member
I am very new to meditation, and am so happy that my first introduction to it has been through this app
The first session was fantastic. I feel safe. And supported. Almost like having someone helping me through my difficult time. I’m very grateful for this app.
- Babi
You get a lot of useful tips for handling stress and anxiety in 'real life'.
- Joy
Highly recommend.
- Humanfrst
Kelly Boys is hands down the best. Everytime I click on one of her guided meditations I get excited for the calmness that lies ahead.
-
I am very new to meditation, and am so happy that my first introduction to it has been through this app
The first session was fantastic. I feel safe. And supported. Almost like having someone helping me through my difficult time. I’m very grateful for this app.
- Babi
You get a lot of useful tips for handling stress and anxiety in 'real life'.
- Joy
Highly recommend.
- Humanfrst
Kelly Boys is hands down the best. Everytime I click on one of her guided meditations I get excited for the calmness that lies ahead.
-
I am very new to meditation, and am so happy that my first introduction to it has been through this app
The first session was fantastic. I feel safe. And supported. Almost like having someone helping me through my difficult time. I’m very grateful for this app.
- Babi
You get a lot of useful tips for handling stress and anxiety in 'real life'.
- Joy
Highly recommend.
- Humanfrst
Kelly Boys is hands down the best. Everytime I click on one of her guided meditations I get excited for the calmness that lies ahead.
-
Thank you for joining us
Dive into the full library and enjoy all it has to offer!
Claim your free access
Create a mindfulness account and we’ll unlock this premium session in your account forever.
7-Days free trial, cancel anytime.
Complete a few quick questions to make your own personalized mindfulness plan.
Sign up or login to your mindfulness account to proceed.
Sign up or login to your mindfulness account to proceed.
Mindfulness
One membership to gain access to a world of premium mindfulness content created to help you live happier and stress less.