Living in a dream

Many of us spend large parts of our lives lost in some sort of dream, caught between what has happened and what might happen next.

The mind’s picture shows

• The mind can become wrapped around a fantasy about what we want or a nightmare about what we don’t want.
• The mind runs its mental projector, splattering its ideas all over the world.
• The mind is not always in the peaceful gap between the past and the future – the gap we call the now.
• The mind can forget what it feels like to pause and experience the present moment.
• Instead, it becomes wrapped up in thoughts, creating scenarios about the future and processing memories from the past until we are bedazzled by it all.
• The mind throws us into a whirlwind of ideas each day, some new and some old. If we become completely absorbed in them, we may feel disconnected or left searching for answers.

When we are unaware of how strongly we are caught up in our thoughts, they can slowly and quietly pull us away from being here now.

Once we stop treating every inner picture as though it is an accurate reflection of reality, we may begin to feel more awake and aware.

Imagine the mind as a dark theatre. You are watching a film and have become so engrossed that you have forgotten where you are. Then, suddenly, the watcher realises they are sitting in a cinema. They can stand up, step away from the screen and walk towards the light outside.

When you stop giving your full attention to the mind’s picture show, you may experience a sense of release and relaxation. The thoughts do not necessarily disappear, but you may no longer need to identify with every one of them.

Life may begin to feel more peaceful. For some people, the experience can also feel spiritual or expansive – a sense of reconnecting with something beyond the constant noise of thought.

When we become more present, we may find a greater sense of peace within ourselves.

Following one thought after another

When someone is completely absorbed in their thoughts, they may not realise that they have another option. The pleasure, fear or drama created by the imagination can feel more compelling than stepping back and observing it.

The mind can follow one thought after another like a hungry mouse following a trail of cheese. It moves from one tiny bite to the next: from this thought to the following thought and then the one after that. Yet it may remain hungry and unsatisfied.

How can thoughts alone ever be completely fulfilling or spiritually satisfying?

• We are not always aware that we have the option not to follow the next thought.
• The mind can become caught up in the outer world: wanting to buy things, achieve things, complete today’s to-do list and solve every problem that arises.
• The mind naturally wanders, and we may not be able to stop the picture show entirely. We can press our nose against the screen or sit in the back row, and the film may continue to play.
• The mind is simply doing what minds do.
• When we have an important appointment in a few hours, the mind may immediately begin projecting desires, hopes, fears and assumptions about how the experience will unfold.
• The mind is a natural strategist, constantly trying to help us anticipate challenges and move through life as safely as possible.

The aim is not to silence the mind or criticise ourselves for thinking. It is to notice when we have become hooked by its stories and remember that we can step back.

Hopefully, we can become aware enough to stop automatically following every demand the mind places on us or on other people. We can allow thoughts to come and go while gently returning our attention to what is actually happening here and now.