Distraction.

Living in a world of distraction has been our mode of travel through the world for most of our lives if we are

first beginning to meditate. Similar to anything we never had a choice in designing, it takes

time to understand how something is unhelpful that we have long gone along with and perceived

as how it has to be, so to speak. But being distracted need not be

our daily modus operandi. Being fully present, as simple as it sounds, is not easy. And so it will

take time to recognize when distraction has our attention so that we can then pull ourselves

out of its grasp. As our meditation practice continues, we will notice it takes less and less

time to recognize when we are being distracted, when we are being pulled out of the present

moment. For example, a thought grabs our attention while

we are sitting at the table for a meal, or we are in attendance at a meeting and our thoughts start

to wander and we don't realize what's being said or what's going on in the room around us.

Gradually, the amount of time it will take for us to recognize such moments of when our mind

wanders out of the present moment or is distracted by a thought or a worry or a fear,

this will lessen as we continue along our meditation practice.

This is not to say distractions will at some point go away completely. They will not. It simply means that because we are consciously holding ourselves in the present moment, we will be able to more quickly recognize when it happens when distraction tries to grab it and then give ourselves the choice to engage with our thinking mind or bring

ourselves back to the present moment. Be patient with yourself as you strengthen this muscle,

which ultimately will give you the freedom to choose. Let's begin to practice. Rest your gaze softly, out on point in front of you.

As you take a breath in, let it feel your body. As you release it, feel it move all the way through your body until it's entirely released

continue to breathe in this comfortable slow pace.

If a thought distracts you, bring your mind back to counting your breath.

Counting as you inhale and counting to the same number while you exhale.

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