In this guided meditation, Brother Richard explores an ancient contemplative practice: learning to notice not only our thoughts, but where those thoughts begin.
Meditation teaches us to observe thoughts without becoming caught up in them. In this practice, we go a little deeper, gently tracing thoughts back towards their origins. What triggered a particular thought? Did it arise from something we saw, heard or remembered? Is it truly our own thought, or have we absorbed it from someone else? And, perhaps most importantly, is the thought useful to us?
Beginning with stillness and awareness of the breath, Brother Richard guides us into a curious, non-judgemental exploration of the mind. We reflect on the thoughts that have occupied us today, return to the first thoughts of the morning, and begin developing the subtle skill of recognising thoughts at the moment they arise.
This meditation offers support for mindfulness, self-awareness, discernment, emotional regulation and freedom from unhelpful patterns of thinking.
It can be used as part of a daily meditation practice, during periods of overthinking or mental distraction, or as a calming contemplative practice for winding down and preparing for restful sleep.
00:00 – Introduction: Where do our thoughts begin?
01:10 – Opening bell
01:31 – Settling into meditation
02:35 – Anchoring awareness in the breath
03:43 – Observing thoughts without judgement
04:38 – What have I been thinking about today?
05:21 – Returning to the first thoughts of the day
06:07 – Tracing thoughts back to their source
07:22 – Are these really my thoughts?
08:25 – Are my thoughts useful or helpful?
09:28 – Finding the very first thought
09:41 – Developing discernment around thought
10:25 – Returning to the breath
11:11 – Closing bell