Johann Robbins

Many people assume that meditation has the goal of, or a requirement of, quieting the mind. Some go further and say that because they cannot stop their thoughts, they are not able to meditate, and so they don’t even try.

In reality, Direct Path meditation has nothing to do with the mind. If you are bothered by thoughts:

• Recognize that thoughts are arising within awareness. Don’t get identified with content or story, but treat thoughts as if they are in a language you don’t understand. Notice that thoughts are appearing in awareness, along with sensations, feelings, and perceptions, and be with that awareness, not its contents.
• Don’t try to stop or control thoughts. Allow them to come and go naturally without any interference. They are not a problem unless you make them into one. Fighting thoughts strengthens their reality. Observe carefully and you will see that you are trying to stop thinking with “anti-thinking” thoughts and efforts of the mind. How is that going to work out?
• See that thoughts are not yourself. They are transient appearances arising from conditions. Know that you are the awareness in which thoughts appear, the knower of thought, not the thinker. Realizing you are not the thinker is deep insight.
• Inquire into the source of the thoughts. Ask yourself, “who knows this thought?”. This leads you back to the silent awareness that you truly are.
• Abide as the presence of “I Am”, letting thoughts stay in the background, uninvolved in their content.
• Realize there are no bad or good thoughts unless you believe them. Don’t judge or resist thoughts, simply let them arise and pass, remaining free as the spacious awareness in which they come and go. 

The Direct Path is about shifting from identification with thoughts to resting as pure awareness. Thoughts may continue to arise but they no longer have the power to disturb you. Remain centered in presence rather than being pulled into content.Thoughts appear in awareness all by themselves; don’t make them into a problem.