Why Silence Can Feel Agitating

It is very hard for the mind to be quiet, clear and steady. It is engaged in rumination, wandering, thinking about the past and the future. The brain circuits are affected by the wandering mind. When we meditate our wandering mind rests and settles down. With sustained practice of meditation as Professor Richard Davidson says our brain learns to settle down, even when we aren't meditating. When we practice being present, the brain activity shifts dramatically. The sympathetic branch of our nervous system settles down and our parasympathetic nervous system becomes active creating a relaxation response. My daily life practice of mindfulness meditation and belly breathing practice helps me to be aware of my distracting thoughts and emotions and that helps me to be free from my self-generated grips of distractions. A quiet, clear and compassionate mind is a healer. Namaste. Jagdish P Dave