The truth is it’s not quite like that. Thoughts and emotions aren’t going to permanently cease. But don't worry, you can still find a bit of peace.
The Iron Rod Technique
The great meditation master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche once said,
That’s right. He called it the “iron rod technique”. That will work perfectly if you want to reach the “stupid state of complete oblivion.”
Likewise, the contemporary meditation teacher, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche shares an illuminating perspective on the reality of thoughts and emotions in meditation. He says,
He goes on to share this sage advice, especially for experienced meditators:
What About Peacefully Remaining?
So what’s all this about calm abiding and peacefully remaining?
Here's the deal, the peace of meditation doesn’t come about from eradicating all risings in the mind and remaining in a static state of no thoughts. You might experience the absence of thoughts from time-to-time in meditation, but it's not a permanent state. And it's not the goal of meditation.
The way we work with thoughts and emotions is to observe them arise and dissolve without adding on afterthoughts. In basic meditation, we use an object like the breath or an image to facilitate the process.
When, through regular meditation practice, we recognize the impermanent and insubstantial nature of thoughts and emotions, they no longer lure the mind into drama or disturb it in the same old ways. A greater sense of space, relaxation, and yes, even peace, gradually dawns. There’s no need to struggle against thoughts or emotions because, when we practice like this, gradually they settle on their own.
Thoughts and emotions will never cease altogether, but, through regular meditation practice, they will gradually lessen as the source of suffering in your life.
Unless you prefer the swift iron rod technique, of course.
Reference: It’s Up to You: The Practice of Self-Reflection on the Buddhist Path by Dzigar Kongtrul
Image: Public Domain Pictures
Comments
The heart has a different point of view on life than the mind and as we identify with the feelings in our heart we start to become our heart. This changes the way we think of things our mind becomes much clearer with guidance from the heart and our emotions.
Emotional self control comes when we learn to control our breath, as in meditation. www.healthy-heart-meditation.c om/.../
It is better to learn to watch your thoughts during meditation, see them come and go, but at the same time trying not to be too involved with them. Just watch them without interest, as if watching a boring movie. In time, the thoughts would lose their power and decrease in number and intensity, and you will begin experience moments of inner peace. In time, if you are persistent enough, these short moments would grow in number and duration.
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