Taking a Genuine Break
There is a well-known phrase in Alcoholics Anonymous that says, “wherever you go, there you are.” This highlights the reality that you cannot simply escape your addiction by moving to a new location because your mind goes with you, carrying all the triggers that contribute to addiction. The same applies when you attempt to unwind on a typical vacation. While lounging by the pool may offer temporary relief from stress, soon enough, your mind starts to dwell on the usual worries that plague you.
So, how can we truly detach from our usual concerns, stress, and overthinking to experience a holiday that provides a true break? Meditation is the key to enjoying a genuine break every day. Without it, you risk burning out from the constant mental activity.
It is our attachment to thoughts that we need to distance ourselves from. Our minds are akin to an ocean, with most of us residing on the turbulent surface where waves never cease. Yet, just beneath this surface lies a serene place untouched by the chaos. By delving deeper, we can access a profound stillness where the commotion of the surface world is merely a distant memory.
Detaching from our thoughts is just the beginning of meditation, not the end. The goal is not to stop thinking altogether, but rather to stop letting our thoughts control us. By disengaging from our thoughts, we can become silent observers from a place of deep tranquility. This is echoed in the advice of Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki.
“Leave both your front door and your back door open. Let your thoughts flow in and out, but do not entertain them with hospitality.”
Allowing yourself the freedom and space from your thoughts can grant you a break from the negative emotions that stem from excessive thinking. A true holiday should be deeply restorative and rejuvenating, which is precisely what meditation offers.
As Meditation Master Arjahn Chah aptly puts it:
“By letting go a little, you will find a little peace. By letting go a lot, you will find a lot of peace. By letting go completely, you will attain true freedom.”
Healing Through Holiday
“Meditation is not about silencing your mind; it is about delving into the tranquility that already exists beneath the 50,000 thoughts the average person entertains daily.”
Referred to as the hidden treasure-house by Zen masters, inner peace by some, and Buddha Nature in Buddhism, this sanctuary of serenity is always accessible within you, offering a haven for genuine relaxation and rejuvenation—a true mental holiday that also nurtures the body.
Crafted by Chad Foreman
Chad Foreman, the visionary behind The Way of Meditation, has been sharing the art of meditation since 2003, striving to integrate authentic meditative practices into the lives of millions in the contemporary world. A former Buddhist monk who dedicated six years to intensive meditation practice in a secluded retreat, Chad boasts over two decades of experience in meditation instruction. He regularly hosts
Meditation Retreats
on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, offers
Online Meditation Coaching
, and presents three online programs –
The 21 Day Meditation Challenge
designed to gradually lead individuals from mindfulness basics to profound awareness.
Breath-work
for stress management and deeper meditation, as well as
The Bliss of Inner Fire
—a Buddhist tantric method for energy purification and blissful clarity. You can also download Chad’s complimentary e-book,
Insights Along the Way
.
