Daily Meditation: Tuesday, February 5, 2002

Nothing is more difficult than to control your train of …

02/05/2002

Nothing is more difficult than to control your train of thought. This is why meditation is a particularly tricky exercise, which should not be undertaken carelessly, without knowing certain methods. Suppose you want to catch a horse that has bolted; if you go and simply block its path, it will knock you over. It is far better to run beside it and then try to grab it by the mane or hold it back by its head-collar. Well, the same goes for thought. If you suddenly stop your train of thought in order to concentrate on one particular subject, not only will you never succeed, but if you persist in your attempts to stop it, you will block it altogether. Before you can begin to concentrate your mind you must subdue the runaway horse within you. And before you can subdue it you must begin by trying not to confront it. Begin by allowing the horse to run freely for a few moments and then, when you feel it is time to put an end to all its gambolling and it begins to trust you, jump onto its back and drive it on in the direction you have chosen to ride.