One of the biggest misconceptions about meditation is that the goal is to stop thoughts.

Beginning meditators often become frustrated when the thoughts don’t stop. So they think they can’t do it, and drop the whole practice. I just can’t meditate.

Here’s the thing. You can’t stop thoughts. The brain pumps out thoughts just as the heart pumps out blood.

The effect of meditation then is not to stop thoughts. It is a practice to unfocus them. To be in the present moment, as it unfolds, without adding extra thinking.

No mistake: Right thinking at the right time is essential for us to function effectively in this world.

Unintentional thinking, on the other hand (often referred to as our monkey mind), is that incessant narrative of rubbish chatter that drowns out the unembellished suchness of each moment.

So. Meditation. Thoughts arise and they dissipate, and a sustained practice slowly shifts thinking from the role of master to that of emissary.