Taming the Runaway Mind

03/31/22 • 19 min

I have a mind that tends to run away with me. Not in a romantic way like taking a beautiful drive down the coast, but in a way where it spins out of control and suddenly I'm stuck in a skipping record of worry, fear, anger, or something worse.

In mindfulness parlance this is a "hell realm." It's a place I know all too well. Maybe you do, too.

The antidotes are remembering it's just a runaway mind (the most usual thing in the world), taking responsibility for any harm done (ug - the most uncomfortable thing in the world), and continuing to diligently train the mind (not the easiest thing in the world).

Fun times. See you soon.

In mindfulness parlance this is a "hell realm." It's a place I know all too well. Maybe you do, too.

Fun times. See you soon.

Previous Episode

How Much Mindfulness is Enough?

How much mindfulness is enough? Is moment-to-moment attention (the classical definition of secular mindfulness) just a suggestion for when we decide to give it a try?

Or does it mean, moment-to-moment attention all day long?

I'm not saying we can do it (or I can do it), but I think it might mean "all day long."

It's a big aspiration. But then again, it's a feedback loop.

Next Episode

Enduring an Attack

When I'm attacked, my impulse is to attack back.
I know it's my legal training, and maybe it's also my nature. At the very least it's a lifelong habit.
Can you relate, or are you in the "flight" more than "fight" camp?
Either way, what if the more effective thing to do is to learn to endure the attack? Not to give anything up or fail to be zealous, but also not to go straight for the jugular, or the exit door, at the first sign of trouble?
Training the mind to be less reactive: that's today's topic. See you soon.

The Wake Up Call for Lawyers - Taming the Runaway Mind

Transcript

Hi everyone, it’s Judi Cohen and this is Wake Up Call 345. Today’s topic is Taming the Runaway Mind but the original title was, Remembering that Hell is Optional. I just didn’t think I should put that in an email.

I don’t think I’d ever seen the word “hell” used in mindfulness teachings until I read Chapter 22 of the Dhammapada. But it’s the title of the chapter and it feels like it’s used to make a point.

Not a metaphysical or religious point. Or at least I’m