The 3 Methods Of Mastering The Mind

Written By:

Written By:

methods of mastering the mind 1

Mastering the mind might seem intimidating, and challenging, but as long as you know which methods you should use, you will be able to do it successfully.

Masters of all kinds highlight the importance of cultivating stillness of mind. For most of us, our capacity for stillness is about that of a squirrel. So how do we succeed in our search for stillness?

Although I am an unwavering proponent of meditation, there are several paths to stillness.

So, while the following methods seem antithetical at first glance, remember that stillness follows the principle of equifinality: many methods will lead you to the same place. Weโ€™re going to discuss three main methods here.

Related:ย The Power of Intentions: Scientific Evidence on How Thoughts Can Change the World

Spoiler alert: all revolve around the core tenet of exposing ourselves to suffering, again and again.

Here Are 3 Methods Of Mastering The Mind

1. Meditation

Meditation is the single most powerful and reliable tool for attaining stillness of mind. The purpose of meditation is to augment your capacity for awareness; that is, the ability to simply sit within your conscious experience as an observer, rather than becoming embedded within it like the main character of a show. The latter is how most of us live our lives: entrenched in an identity, inundated by anxieties, insecurities, triggers, and incessant mental chatter.

It is crucial to note that the purpose of meditation is not to have โ€œno thoughtsโ€, or to be fully at peace, although peace is the ultimate destination. The goal of meditation is to become aware, and in so doing, stillness follows.

โ€œGlimpses of love or joy or brief moments of deep peace are possible whenever a gap occurs in the stream of thought. For most people, these gaps happen rarely and only accidentally, in moments when the mind is rendered โ€œspeechlessโ€โ€ฆ and within that stillness, there is a subtle but intense joy, there is love, there is peace.โ€ โ€“ Ekhart Tolle

Mastering the mind with meditation

2. Pushing Past Physical Limits

When you are at the brink of your physical capacities, be it at the end of a long run, or at the end of a weightlifting sessionโ€”there is very little energy left for mental noise. This tends to be why people go to the gym to โ€œclear their headโ€, or engage in strenuous physical activities to elicit a state of peace and calm.

โ€œThe reason why some people love to engage in dangerous activities, such as mountain climbing, car racing, and so on, although they may not be aware of it, is that it forces them into the Nowโ€” that intensely alive state that is free of time, free of problems, free of thinking, free of burden of the personality.โ€ โ€“ Ekhart Tolle

David Goggins refers to this as โ€œcallousing the mindโ€. I think thatโ€™s a great metaphor.

โ€œWe live in an external world. Everything, you have to see it, touch it. If you can for the rest of your life, live inside yourself โ€“ to find greatness, you have to go inside.โ€ โ€“ David Goggins

3. Facing The Depths Of Despair

Experiencing a dark night of the soul is actually a fantastic thing. When you confront your darkest demons or lose someone you cherished more than life itself, or you are confronted with some other seemingly insurmountable barrier, you fall to the depths of human suffering.

Related: The Dark Night Of The Soul

And since the human spirit is unfailingly resolute, it will eventually pick you up off the ground. You will come out the other side, but you wonโ€™t be the same as before. You will be as internally solid as a rock, incapable of being perturbed by anything or anyone, not even your own mind.

โ€œIn some rare cases, [a] shift in consciousness happens dramatically and radically, once and for all. When it does, it usually comes about through total surrender in the midst of intense suffering. Most people, however, have to work at it.โ€ โ€“ Ekhart Tolle

Check out Saba Mayโ€™s website,ย Metta Humanย for more such informative articles.


Written By Saba May
Originally Appeared In Metta Human

Methods Of Mastering Mind pin
methods of mastering the mind pin

— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

,

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Rewriting Your Story: Turning Set backs into Stepping Stones for Personal Growth

Turning Set backs into Stepping Stones for Personal Growth

Life is like a movie with no script

Sometimes things go off track.

A lost job.A broken heart.A dream that falls apart.

These tough spots may seem like bad chapters.But what if they are the start of your best tale?

They show hidden strengths.They have clues for your growth.Resilience means bending without breaking.

Your story is not done yet.You hold the pen.You can change the plot.

1. The Power of Perspective: Your Pain Isnโ€™t the Whole Story

When life knocks you dow

Up Next

Why Everyone on TikTok Is Lying on the Floorโ€”And You Should Too!

The โ€˜Floor Timeโ€™ Trend Is Taking Over TikTokโ€”Hereโ€™s Why You Need to Try It!

I never thought I’d willingly spend time lying on the floor. Itโ€™s never been my go-to spot for relaxationโ€”too hard, too cold, too uncomfortable. But lately, TikTok has been buzzing about floor time, a simple wellness trend thatโ€™s got people ditching their couches in favor of sprawling out on the ground.

The idea is exactly what it sounds like: you lie down on the floor and just be. Videos under the #floortime hashtag have racked up millions of views, with people claiming it helps them feel more grounded and calm.

At first, it might seem strange. Why choose the floor when you have a perfectly good bed? But you might change your mind after reading the benefits the new TikTok trend has to offer.

A Brief History of Flo

Up Next

Understanding Phobias: Serious Struggles, Not for Mockery

Understanding Phobias Types And Clear Solutions For It

Have you ever felt an intense fear of something others find harmless? Understanding phobias and why they shouldn’t be taken lightly. Let’s explore!

Phobias are real mental health conditions deserving empathy and care.

Key points

Phobias are intense, irrational fears that disrupt lives and are serious mental health conditions.

Mocking phobias worsens isolation and discourages sufferers from seeking professional help.

Phobias are treatable through therapies like CBT and exposure, emphasising empathy and support.

Phobias are often dismissed as quirky or humorous, b

Up Next

Mindfulness for Cravings: 3 Steps to Manage Impulsive Desires

Mindfulness for Cravings Steps to Manage Impulsive Desires

If youโ€™ve ever struggled with cravings that seem impossible to ignore, what if I told you mindfulness can help you limit that? The concept of mindfulness for cravings is a game-changer.

Instead of fighting the urge, this practice teaches you how to stop cravings by simply observing them without acting on them. Mindfulness for cravings can help you break free from the cycle of impulsive desires and regain control over your actions.

KEY POINTS

Cravings affect all of us. But some of us find that cravings lead to compulsive behaviors and addictions.

Compulsive behaviors and addictions are costly and destructive, creating greater stress and unhealthy coping.

Up Next

How To Set Boundaries Like A Pro: 5 Tips And Tricks

How To Set Boundaries Like A Pro Tips And Tricks

Knowing how to set boundaries is a game-changerโ€”itโ€™s how you protect your time, energy, and sanity without feeling guilty. Whether itโ€™s with friends, family, or coworkers, setting boundaries helps you avoid burnout and unnecessary drama. Letโ€™s talk about how to do it like a pro.

KEY POINTS

Upholding our boundaries means sometimes saying โ€œnoโ€ when others wish we would say โ€œyes.โ€

Setting boundaries can create conflict, even when our behavior is healthy and we act with kindness.

Itโ€™s normal to feel uneasy or even guilty after people react badly to our boundaries.

Up Next

Why ‘Lizard Brain’ Deepens Anxiety and Depression: Understanding Social Cognitive Network

Social Cognitive Network: Linking Anxiety to the 'Lizard Brain'

The social cognitive network is your brainโ€™s secret weapon for understanding people and emotions. But when it teams up with the amygdalaโ€”our ancient “fight-or-flight” alarmโ€”it can shape how we handle social cues, sometimes making things trickier.

KEY POINTS

The brain’s social cognitive network keeps constant communication with the amygdala, an ancient structure.

This shows that the amygdala influences the social cognitive network by providing emotional information.

This research has potential implications for treating psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Up Next

7 Myths About Trauma: What You Really Need to Know

Myths About Trauma: What You Really Need to Know

There are a lot of myths about trauma that can make it hard to understand what it really is and how it affects us. By clearing up these misconceptions about traumatization and psychological scars, you can better support yourself and others on the path to healing and resilience.

KEY POINTS

Trauma is often misunderstood and its significance can be diluted by overgeneralization and misinformation.

Debunking widespread myths can help foster a balanced perspective.

Not all adverse experiences equate to trauma.

Even though trauma is having its moment, t