In the previous post, we deciphered the mind’s tendency to wander through and be pulled into an uninhibited stream of distractions. This was most evident as we watched ourselves, as outsiders, click around in a monkey-like fashion around Facebook (or the internet), forgetting our pressing goals of the moment. While the rise and acceleration of progress in technology and the internet are uncovering and emphasizing our mind’s tendency to get distracted, this central tendency of the mind – to wander –  is not just a modern discovery.

“The central tendency of the mind is to wander.”  –Prevalent concept in many ancient Indian texts.

This simple yet profound concept is found in ancient oral traditions and writings on the study of the mind – we can trace this area of study back thousands of years to the flourishing ancient Indian civilization, long before calculators, computers, and the internet. Even in the absence of modern devices, the wise folk of this ancient civilization were able to sense the wavering, wandering, monkey-like tendency of the mind. So what was done in response?

To counteract the impressed habit of wandering (of the mind), these wise folk practiced becoming very verry veeerrry still. In the stillness, they realized that profound insights and observations could be recorded and remembered. For centuries (and millennia!) onward, people gathered in the still surroundings of mountains, rivers, and forests to practice and discover techniques in harnessing the mind. With diligence and consistent practice, they began to learn deeply about the vast world that lies within each and every one of us. 

Tradition evolved to placing immense importance on mental hygiene. Without preparing the mind to open up to the world at sunrise, they felt they were not ready to learn and be. And so, thousands of techniques on training, focusing, supporting, and nurturing the mind were developed and passed down from teacher to student and from the student to his or her students and so on and so forth.

While this art mingled with the mainstream culture in ancient India to some extent, it is now for the first time flowing into modern and mainstream cultures across the world. The most well-known techniques present themselves as mindfulness, guided imagery, and breathwork – and we are just touching the tip of a massive iceberg. Modern medicine has found many benefits and psychology has been intrigued over the last few centuries by the depths of these techniques and their associated philosophies. Finally, in a few places (and its scope is growing), we are supporting the mind’s ability to learn and thrive as students and learners in the field of education! In the midst of the emotion-filled, dynamic, ever-changing experiences and years of adolescence (and later on in life), I believe we have come across a field of invaluable gems – and I am personally so excited to present one very basic technique below.

Join me in learning a very basic technique in clarifying and strengthening the mind so that the mind is ready to learn. If you are interested in addition exercises from other posts – follow my link to Meditations.