[CedssypeEdids]

I have the same problem with clearing my mind. I have talked to CF and others on this and as of yet, even though I understand what they are saying, I am not able to stop this. My mind will just pop from one thought to another with no sense or reason. Even if I try to focus on breathing or ear sound, I still have thoughts flying. It is very frustrating!! I know it is hindering me in projecting (have not had a projection since January). I often have a song in my head also that will just keep repeating.

If you observe closely, you will see that you are in fact not in control of your mind. That's a very simple fact obtained by observing your "monkey mind". In fact, you are not your thoughts, and when you look very very closely, you are not thinking them. They arise and fall away and we assign importance to them, try to build an ego identity out of them, like building a house on sand.

This is the understanding of many meditation traditions, and for me it is also based in personal experience through meditation.

In an uncontrolled, undisciplined state of mind your awareness fuels random parts of your mind and thinking circuits with energy. Unwanted thoughts arise and go because awareness is unfocused, not present, diluted and all over the place. The problem is not thinking itself, which is merely a tool, but unwanted, compulsive and habitual thinking.

Many "mind control" techniques suggest you can "quiet your mind" by an approach of willing it into stillness. But in my experience a tense mind just builds pressure and the problem returns. It's like keeping a lid on a boiling kettle - steam builds up and then something must happen, inevitably.

Note that many techniques of calming the mind don't work by trying to overpower the mind with willpower. Quite the opposite! Focussing on the breath or on a mantra work only with gentleness. Instead of forcing yourself to the mantra or the breath you gently guide your awareness again and again back to your object of choice. It is unnecessary that this leads to immediate stilling of thoughts, quite often for habitual thinking it just starts to lessen it.

In fact, the way this works is that over time your awareness starts to deeply appreciate the object of attention, and focuses gently and relaxedly, on its own accord. Distractions drop away, thoughts cease, you become focused and still. It is more like a grace than something you can ultimately control. You lead the horse to the trough, but the horse needs to feed. By untraining the habits of the mind the mind develops this concentrated awareness, and nothing in the world can rush it.

Try to develop an attitude of equanimity towards your thoughts. See them neutrally, without assigning importance to them. Focus on the breath and let the thoughts be. If they arise, they arise. No big deal. And if they enthrall your mind, use the moment you become aware of that to gently bring your awareness back. No need to "cry over spilt milk". In concentration training you will stray thousands and thousands times, better learn now that assigning drama to that simple, absolutely unavoidable fact just blocks progress in learning concentration. Going in worry/chastising loops of "I thought! Damn, I thought again! Damn, this mind will never be still!" is a sure-fire way to never get a calm mind.

Take good care,
Oliver