Welcome to the Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast. Our intention is to awaken, enlighten, enrich, and inspire a simple and uncomplicated life. Discover the benefits of mindful living with your host, Timber Hawkeye.

When I recently explained that I don't meditate to control my thoughts, I meditate so my thoughts don't control me. Some readers were confused or questioned the difference. There's a common misconception that meditation is

about clearing the mind, making it quiet or blank, which is why many who try meditating for the first time quickly give up,

ex claiming their thoughts were racing non-stop and they couldn't turn their brains off,

which is what they thought was the goal.

So let me be clear that even after years of meditating,

my mind still wonders whether I'm in meditation or not,

but now, when I watch my mind running around like a puppy playing in the backyard, I can call it back to me at any time.

Sort of like saying, come here boy, and the mind obeys.

It's not about tying the puppy to a tree with a short chain so it doesn't go anywhere.

That would be cruel and only drive it mad and more resistant to structure.

It's about differentiating between playtime and paying attention time.

The key is balance and discipline.

If you've ever had a dog, then you know that even when they are well trained, certain things will still grab their attention and you can tell that they want to baric, investigate, run or play, so they look up at you with those puppy eyes, as if asking,

Can I please go? I've been so good. Let me chase that squirrel, even though I know I can't catch it,

nor do I have any idea what I would do with it if I could.

Rather than chasing squirrels however, we chase thoughts with more thoughts, often in the form of

worrying which usually turns out to be a complete waste of time.

What we must do is assert ourselves as the ones

who decide when the mind can run free and when it needs to sit. Otherwise, it's like the dog

taking you for a walk instead of the other way around. I'm not even sure this metaphor works, especially if you're not into puppies. So let's look at the quote, nobody can drive you crazy unless you give them the keys. People will certainly try, and if life was a car ride,

then we need to be selective about who we let into our car

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