Hey, LOOK at That!

 Meditation has been a long-time practice and it helps relax the mind and body.  It eases anxiety and allows clarity and focus.  

That's all well and good, but some people cannot let go of their thoughts.  That is one of the biggest complaints among beginners is that they say their brains don't shut off.  

It's not supposed to though.  Our brains will always have thoughts as long as we are alive.  Meditation isn't supposed to shut thoughts out or off; meditation pushes thoughts in the background instead of it being on the foreground.  Got it?

So that's when people use verbal mantras.  Verbal mantras can be a phrase or word that is repeated.  The repetition of a mantra actually pushes away the thoughts...but there are some people who find this to be challenging too. Have no fear, there's another way.

Visual meditation mantras or mindful looking.

According to UCLA'S Mindful Awareness Research Center there is a real difference between looking and seeing something.

A visual focal point is an image or an object.  You can look at a candle, a photo on the wall, 

Meditation with the eyes open engages the eyes on something outside of itself, yet as you meditate you will detach yourself from the external setting. Meditation has always been traditionally done with the eyes closed in a peaceful way to shut out any external stimuli.  

So if you're a person who is more of a visual person, try focusing your eyes on a specific focal point or image and settle into it.