Discovering the Power of Inner Space: Separating from Our Mind Through Meditation
Let’s talk about meditation—but not in the usual, intimidating way. We’re keeping it simple, light-hearted, and beginner-friendly. Because at its core, meditation is about one incredibly powerful thing:
Separating from our mind.
That’s right. Creating space between you and your thoughts. Letting go of the constant swirl in your head and learning to just be—with yourself.
Dispelling the Myths: Meditation Isn’t What You Think
Meditation isn’t about emptying your mind. And it’s definitely not about sitting still like a Zen monk on a mountain. In fact, it’s not even passive.
Meditation is an active practice.
It’s something you do, not something you wait for.
You’re not trying to fight your thoughts, silence your brain, or achieve perfect peace. That’s a myth. Instead, you’re learning to change your relationship with your thoughts.
The key shift? Observing instead of reacting.
Imagine this: You’re sitting, and suddenly a thought pops up—”I forgot to reply to that email!” Rather than jumping up or spiraling into guilt, you just notice the thought and let it pass. That’s observing. That’s the work.
Here’s where many people give up: they expect to feel amazing right away. Truth is, meditation often brings discomfort before it brings calm. That discomfort? It’s your unconscious material rising to the surface—your buried stress, anxiety, and self-talk.
This is not a sign you’re doing it wrong. It’s a sign that you’re finally meeting what’s underneath the surface.
Facing the Noise: Why Sitting Still Feels So Hard
When we first sit down to meditate, it can feel… intense. Why? Because for the first time, we’re not distracted.
No scrolling.
No checking the news.
No multitasking.
Just us.
Our breath.
And our thoughts.
And those thoughts? They can be uncomfortable. Dark. Loud. All over the place.
Totally normal.
Your body might feel restless. Your mind may race. That’s not failure—that’s exactly why you’re here.
Meditation isn’t a spa. It’s a training ground.
Think about a gym. You lift weights, you feel the burn, and you build strength. Meditation works the same way. You’re learning to sit in discomfort without running.
You’re learning to notice the storm—without becoming the storm.
Where to Begin: Starting Small for Big Impact
One to two minutes. That’s it.
Not thirty. Not a silent retreat. Not a meditation app marathon. Just a couple of minutes to begin.
Start small. Set yourself up for success.
I started with one minute. Why? Because anything more overwhelmed me. My mind would race. My to-do list would scream. And I’d wonder what was for dinner.
Sound familiar?
This isn’t failure. This is the mind doing what minds do. And by sitting through that, you’re already meditating.
Simple Steps: How to Meditate Without Overthinking It
Here’s how I do it—and how you can, too:
- Find a quiet spot. Choose somewhere with as few distractions as possible. Your environment matters.
- Get comfortable. Sit on a cushion, a chair, or the floor. Support your posture, but don’t strain.
- Close your eyes. This minimizes visual input and helps turn your attention inward.
- Take a few deep breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth. This signals your nervous system to slow down.
- Focus on your breathing. Gently bring your awareness to each inhale and exhale.
And that’s where the real magic begins.
Let the Thoughts Come: Observing Without Engaging
Meditation isn’t about not thinking. Thoughts will absolutely show up.
You’ll think about work, relationships, your grocery list, that awkward thing you said three years ago—you name it.
Here’s the key:
Don’t follow the thought. Just notice it. Let it float by—like a cloud in the sky or a car on the road.
Then gently bring your focus back to your breath.
For further reading: breathwork and creating space around triggers.
That’s the skill we’re building:
Separating from our mind.
Some people like to label their thoughts: “planning,” “worrying,” “judging.” That can help. But labeling is optional. What matters most is returning. Again and again.
The Focus Factor: Training the Muscle of Attention
The ability to focus on your breath, let go of a thought, and come back again?
That’s attention. And it’s a muscle.
Most of us have been living under the dictatorship of our thoughts. We don’t even realize we can choose where to place our focus.
Meditation helps us reclaim that choice.
To train our focus.
To pause.
To return.
Even if we have to do it fifty times in one minute—that is the practice.
Over time, you begin to experience a deeper truth: your thoughts are not who you are.
Meeting the Self: What Lies Beyond the Mind
What happens when you sit quietly and separate from your mind? Something beautiful.
You begin to meet yourself.
Not the anxious thoughts. Not the critical voice. But the you behind all of that.
The quiet presence that’s always been there.
Some call it the soul.
Some call it consciousness.
I just call it “me.”
When I say “meet yourself,” I mean you begin to witness your own being—the spacious awareness behind your mental chatter. You realize there is an inner stillness that can observe without judgment.
Meditation reminds us we are more than our minds.
When you recognize this inner observer—that’s liberation.
That’s empowerment.
That’s healing.
Practice Makes Possible: Why Consistency Changes Everything
Start small. Stay consistent. One to two minutes a day adds up.
Over time, you’ll notice a shift. Not just during meditation, but in daily life.
That breath you practiced? It helps when you’re triggered.
That pause you learned? It gives you a choice in tough moments.
Related reading: exercises about stress and relaxation.
You’ll start using these skills at the grocery store, in traffic, in conversations—anywhere.
That’s why separating from our mind isn’t just a meditative practice. It’s a way of being.
Final Reminder: You Are Not Your Thoughts
This is the heart of it all.
You are not your thoughts.
You are not your feelings.
You are the one observing them.
That’s what meditation teaches us.
That’s why separating from our mind is so powerful.
It helps us live with more clarity, peace, and presence.
So, if you’ve tried meditation before—what worked for you?
What was hard? What kept you going?
And if you’re brand new to this—welcome.
Let me know how your first minute goes.
Thanks for being here.
And thank you for reading narcissism.blog.
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