SleepTracks

Life seems to be spiraling out of control these days; rarely is there enough time to get things done. Even when catch up for a moment, we have a knack of finding even more to do - as if we're on uppers all the time.

Is this what you are experiencing, this constant activity? Have you noticed it, or wished it would settle down? If you did, you are rare.

Most people look at peacefulness with disdain, "Give me a good war to watch on CNN, or some violent weather somewhere, anything that's exciting! You are on the left and love socialism; I am on the right and love capitalism; let's fight about it! Who wants boring peacefulness - that's for retired hippies, or whatever. There is far too much to get done in this world, and time is not on our side."

Excitement is everything in our lives; the excitement of a vacation; seeing new things and being in new places. Sports, movies, politics, parties, the involvement with friends and family - never a dull moment. The more excitement the better -- and the happier we are.

Peace is far too quiet. We would rather immerse ourselves in whirlwinds of activity than have nothing to do. Actually, it's a badge of honor to keep insanely busy, because when we are busy, we feel important.

But there is a down side to all this activity, and the down side is the subconscious fear that creeps in when the activity ends. You know it; it's the emptiness that looms ominously when you try to unwind your mind at night and go to sleep.

So we get hooked on pills and live with the side effects, or go sleepless and become walking zombies. What other choice do we have, because other choices involve a fundamental change in the way we live and relate to life, and changing the way we live would be far too drastic.

But changing the way we live doesn't have to be drastic, all that is required is that we approach life in a different manner, a new approach that involves discovering the very things that cause our sleeplessness; thoughts in our minds.

Most people believe that if they had no thoughts, they would be mindless; however, quite the opposite is true. Without the burden of non-stop thinking, we become extremely mindful. With the static of endless thoughts out of the way, we become sensitive to amazing things that were hidden previously, things that encourage our natural creativity.

Besides the creativity that develops in the absence of thought, there is another benefit; in the absence of thought, we sleep like a baby! So, how do we turn these thoughts off at night? If we try to turn them off, count sheep or something, they creep back in, and we quickly discover how ingrained thoughts are. They are next to impossible to control.

But it's not impossible; it only takes a little training. You can begin by watching your thoughts instead of trying to rid yourself of them, and as you watch them, it becomes readily apparent that thoughts are simply images that arise and pass, not reality at all. But if instead of watching them arise and pass we get caught up in them, then the thoughts multiply like rabbits! And sleep goes out the window.

It's impossible to watch your thoughts straightaway; it takes some practice. Begin with sitting quietly for a few minutes every evening before you retire. Picture yourself perched on a freeway overpass watching the cars and trucks go by underneath. (The cars and trucks are your thoughts). Don't jump into one the cars (or thoughts) and be carried away, no matter how alluring the car (thought) may be. Allow it to continue down the road and disappear out of sight. Then wait for the next car (thought) to come by. Let that one go, too. Don't try not to think, just be aware of each thought as it naturally comes up, and then let it go.

It sounds simple, but as you will see, it takes some practice. The Southwest Florida Insight Center website below offers additional instructions on the "Mental Posture," and the "Body Posture" pages. In addition, many of my articles address meditation if you would like more information.

When the mind becomes quiet and absent of the noisiest thoughts, sleep comes naturally, especially to a body that is overtired from lack of restful sleep. In addition, meditation improves the body's immune system, so there will be health benefits as well. All in all, meditation is a very natural, non-invasive technique with no side effects, used in many hospitals and clinics. It's something to consider seriously.

E. Raymond Rock of Fort Myers, Florida is cofounder and principal teacher at the Southwest Florida Insight Center, http://www.SouthwestFloridaInsightCenter.com His twenty-eight years of meditation experience has taken him across four continents, including two stopovers in Thailand where he practiced in the remote northeast forests as an ordained Theravada Buddhist monk. His book, A Year to Enlightenment (Career Press/New Page Books) is now available at major bookstores and online retailers. Visit http://www.AYearToEnlightenment.com

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