Quieting the Mind　身心平静

by Marcus Maurice

Meditation is an exercise in quieting the mind. Meditation can help restore mental balance leading to a feeling of happiness and contentment.

Think of the brain as a faucet where the water is constantly flowing. The flowing "water" is our thoughts about such things as the never-ending list of tasks that we have to do, should do, didn't do, and might do. Stopping the flow of these thoughts and slowing down the mind is the goal of meditation. By turning off the faucet, a person who practices meditation can attain clearer thinking, improved health, and a greater understanding of their own goals.

When one first sits down to meditate, it may seem as though one's mind is racing at 100 miles a minute. One thinks of the report that needs to be turned in, the dishes that haven't been done, and the countless other problems in life that unconsciously stream in. This is because when meditating, one finally realizes how active the mind actually is. The focus must then be taken away from these thoughts and centered instead on breathing in deeply through the nostrils and out through the mouth. Although it seems simple to "just breathe," in reality, it is easier said than done. Blocking out external thoughts takes a great deal of effort. By sitting in an upright position with legs folded and thumbs just barely touching the index fingers, meditation can bring relaxation and inner peace. All thoughts of the things that should, could, and would be fade away as the mind is quieted.

冥想是让心灵平静的一种活动。冥想有助于恢复一个人的精神平衡，进而达到幸福与满足。

把大脑想成一个水流不断的水龙头。这些流动的『水』就是我们的思维，永无休止地想着我们必须达成、应该达成、尚未完成和可能完成的事项清单。冥想的目的在于停止这些想法流窜，放慢心灵的步调。藉由关闭这个水龙头，冥想者可以获得更清晰的思绪、更健康的身体，也更了解自己的目标。

当一个人刚坐下来冥想时，他们的心灵就像是每分钟跑一百英里一样。他们看到自己要交的报告、要洗的碗盘，生活中其它数不清的问题也无意识地涌入。这是因为在冥想时，他们终于了解自己的心灵有多活跃。注意力必须脱离这些想法，而专注于从鼻孔深深吸气，从嘴巴吐气。『单纯呼吸』看似简单，事实上，说的却比做的容易。阻绝外界思绪需要花费很大的力气。藉由双脚交迭、大拇指几乎碰到食指，并挺胸坐直，冥想可以带来放松和内心的平静。所有应该、可能及将会发生的事情，这些想法在内心平静的时候都会慢慢消逝。