For the most part, we are stuck in a continuous vicious cycle of thinking.  Although our brain is a very useful tool when used properly, it can also be very destructive.  If we do not take the time to calm our mind and take control of the excessive thinking, we become, in a sense, a slave of the mind.  Our unconscious thoughts produce negative emotions that trigger more negative thoughts, which in turn produce more negative emotions, and the cycle continues.

When we learn to shut off the thinking mind, we begin to enter a timeless and peaceful state of consciousness.  This is the state where God exists.  The further we get from the analytical mind, the further we go into the realm where God operates.  In this state, we begin to feel a still peace that is indescribable, a connection to everything on the planet, and we begin to receive guidance from the creator of the universe.

The only way to break this cycle is to learn to shut off the analytical, thinking mind through conscious awareness and practice.  If we are unaware of what all is happening behind the scenes, we will never have the full picture of what is actually going on and our thoughts will continue to control everything we do.  This is why the absolute first step in breaking these negative cycles is understanding what is actually happening.

Although there are many ways to become consciously aware of our thoughts, meditation is one of the most widely used tools for shutting the analytical mind off and gaining control of our thinking. 

It can be difficult to slow the mind and have full control of our thoughts, especially if meditation is not a regular practice. This first meditation is designed to retrain the brain through visualization, how to shift our focus and take control of the thinking mind.

Before we go into the meditation, I want you to visualize the mind in the following way.  Picture the surface of a lake, where anything and everything that comes into contact with the water causes a ripple, wave, etc.  Whether it is a boat driving by, a raindrop hitting the surface, a kid jumping into the water etc., the surface of a lake is constantly being affected by the external environment.

As you get down below the surface, the water becomes stiller and stiller.  At a certain depth, the surface of the lake has no visual effect on the water beneath it and there is a peaceful stillness.

Our minds work the same way.  The analytical part of our brain is like the top layer of the water.  It is constantly receiving information and trying to sort it out and make sense of it.  This part of the brain can experience a great deal of turbulence, especially if the external environment is causing excessive stress by sending too much negative information to it.  The analytical part of our brain, although very useful for survival, can also cause us a great deal of pain.  Unfortunately, most of our society operates almost exclusively through the analytical part of their brain.

As we begin to shut this part of our brain off, our thoughts begin to still and a peace begins to emerge.  The further we go, the more peace we uncover.  If we go deep enough, we can enter a timeless and perfectly still space where we can experience bliss that is completely free of any fear.

For this meditation, picture yourself slowly sinking in a perfectly crystal clear lake.  It is a nice sunny day and as you begin to sink down you can still see the rays penetrating the surface of the water.  As you go deeper, a stillness begins to emerge and become more and more peaceful as you sink lower beneath the surface.  Continue to sink deeper and deeper into this peaceful stillness.

I like to visualize a lake where you can clearly see the beautiful sandy bottom.  As I begin to sink down, I can see the bottom of the lake as well as the surface where the rays of sun are beaming through.  Eventually, I will end up at the bottom sitting with a nice soft smile on my face.

Psalm 34:4 – I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Philippians 4:7 – Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.  It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your whole life.

Psalm 46:20 – Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

• It can be difficult to slow the mind and reach this state so do not be discouraged if you do not experience anything profound your first time going through this meditation
• If you do not experience anything remarkable, give it another try. I promise, the peaceful state I am describing does exist
• The more you can keep your focus, the better this meditation will work for you and the deeper the peace you will experience
• If you do go deep into a peaceful state, it is not uncommon for that peace to stick with you for the rest of the day or longer, assuming you do not continue to feed the mind with negativity