Try This Unconventional Meditation Technique
Try This Unconventional Meditation Technique
I’ve been doing this type of meditation recently and the effects are profound. I can access a state of empty mind /deep quiet very fast. You’d think that with teaching this stuff, this would be the norm for me. Nope. I’m that person who simply has a very, busy, mind–like many of you. That’s why I’m so surprised how awesome this little technique is working for me!
The technique is one I came up with; I’ve never read this in a book, class or workshop; nor have I shared it before.
I’m informally calling it – Talking to the Adults and The Children.
All I do is this.
I sit down with my back supported and look into my headspace.
Like everyone, there are tons of thoughts in there.
I ask – ‘what emotions are present?‘ I see these as children raising their hands, begging to be heard.
I usually see guilt over some past event, fear about a perceived future event, stuff like that.
I conscientiously make sure I’ve seen each and every child, and made an inventory of all the emotions present. This takes about 10 minutes, although I haven’t timed it.
When I’m done cataloging, an inner silence comes over me and all thoughts cease. I drop into a very deep place.
That’s it! So simple, I know.
Sometimes there are also thoughts in the ‘to do/projects’ category. I call these the ‘adults raising their hands.’ Stuff like, pay a certain bill, reminders I’ve set on my phone, assorted tasks.
Just like the children, I acknowledge each adult – ‘I see you and you will get done.’
Just like the children, I acknowledge each adult – ‘I see you and you will get done.’And just like with the children, the silence soon follows.
If I’d learned this technique in my early 20s, I’m not sure how it might have landed. It’s easy to get caught up in cataloging thoughts…
I’ve studied and practiced Zazen, TM [Transcendental Meditation], guided meditation, sound, and somatic styles where you focus on bodily sensation and the breath.
This simple technique trumps them all. It is so efficient and effective.
Each day, the categories of children (emotions) and adults (tasks) vary only slightly. This observation helps de-identification from the thoughts, and this tiny modicum of distance between self and thought is the whole purpose of meditation. I feel this technique has its roots in inner child work and therein lies its effectiveness.
Curious? Try it and let me know what you think.
Namaste,
Catherine & Satya
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Catherine Tingey
Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
About the Author
Catherine Tingey+ Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
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