Last updated on January 19th, 2025
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Just recently, I attended a 10-day Vipassana meditation course in rural Cambodia. Afterward, I returned to the buzzing megacity of Bangkok, Thailand. The stark contrast between the peace and focus I experienced at the meditation course and the modern-day epidemic of distracted zombies I witnessed in the city was striking. It’s not that I hadn’t noticed people using their phones before, but after experiencing such reverse culture shock, it became even more apparent how detrimental this can be to our mental and physical health. Instead of using electronics as tools from time to time, as they were initially meant to be, we now use them as objects of distraction, constantly avoiding real life.
If we can’t live in the present moment, how can we possibly overcome life’s greatest challenges, learn valuable lessons from them, and ultimately grow wiser in the process? The truth is, it’s simply impossible. Being constantly distracted is a recipe for mental illness.
The Mirage of External Happiness
Hand in hand with modern society’s constant distractions is the false sense that things external to us will bring us fulfillment. We are bombarded with messages to chase higher status, money, relationships, sex, food, alcohol, drugs, and many other sensual pleasures. However, even when we attain our goals, whether it’s a storybook relationship, the tastiest meal, or a big raise at work, we only feel a short burst of satisfaction before the novelty wears off, and we find ourselves making new goals to attain something else. The feeling is always, “Once I attain this or that, only then will I be satisfied.” But ultimately, that feeling of fulfillment will never come when chasing happiness in things external to ourselves.
This cycle continues until we let go of distractions, come to the present moment, learn important life lessons through self-reflection, and put an end to these unhealthy thought patterns once and for all.
Mindfulness Practice is the Solution to Most Mental Illness
So, what is the solution to all of life’s distractions? Simply put, it’s to do the opposite to truly be present in the moment by practicing mindfulness. These days, most people have heard of mindfulness, but whether they have actually been able to put it into practice to achieve inner peace and harmony is another story.
First: Begin by Slowing Down
Firstly, we must recognize that there is a problem. Only after identifying the issue can we work to solve it. There are many ways to return to the present moment, and the first step is always to let go of distracted behavior. The easiest way to start is to put your phone away, simply slow down, and focus on whatever you’re doing. If you’re constantly going along with the speed of the modern world, you’ll find yourself powerwalking when you could be walking slowly and always looking for what’s next instead of enjoying the present. Removing yourself from the moment breeds an unhealthy mind with unhealthy thought patterns. When you reverse this, getting rid of distractions and slowing down, you’ll immediately feel a state of tranquility.
In this state of calm, we are finally able to take a figurative step back and identify what’s truly going wrong in our lives. It’s only when we step out of ourselves and see things from a bird’s-eye view that we can see the whole situation clearly. You can start this process once you recognize it, and continue focusing on it as you move through your days. Whatever you’re doing, remove distractions, focus on your movements, your breathing, your surroundings, just be truly in the moment. This simple shift in your daily life will make you feel much better.
Second: Advance Your Mindfulness Practice
Once you’ve started practicing by slowing down and removing distractions, you can take your mindfulness practice to the next level. Meditation is a great way to deepen your mindfulness. The reality is that we are all smart enough to reach the right conclusions and find enlightenment, but we are simply too distracted to do so.
Our untrained minds naturally seek distraction at our own expense. However, when we train the wild animal inside our skulls, we turn it into a tool that helps us instead of leaving us in a state of suffering.
Meditation is becoming more common because of the results it provides. There are many forms of meditation, and you can try various techniques to improve your mental health, which will benefit all aspects of your life. If you’re new to this, meditation is a practice of mental purification through the technique of focusing the mind and making it sharper and more observant.
Once your mind has been trained to be observant, you’ll be able to pick up on intricate details in both your mind and body, which will grant you the ability to step out of negative thought patterns that have held you back historically.
Why Does Meditation Work?
As we progress through life, we experience numerous trials and tribulations. Normally, we learn from our experiences and develop our minds, understanding what leads to positive growth and what negative patterns we shouldn’t repeat. Sometimes, life lessons take repeated experiences before they truly sink in and we can put them into practice.
By training the mind through meditation, we can develop this process of learning from experiences. Meditation teaches us to observe the body and mind without judgment. In the modern world, this rarely happens because we are constantly distracted. This is why it has never been more important to learn and apply mindfulness techniques.
Meditation becomes yet another life experience from which we can learn, helping us develop and create more peace in our lives.
The Answer is Inside Us
Through mindfulness practice, we can understand that the only place where problems actually exist is within ourselves. The external world doesn’t have to dictate how we feel or behave because, ultimately, we control how we react to external stimuli.
After learning through meditation, all of our interactions with others become easier. We become more patient, compassionate, and genuinely understanding. Dealing with tough situations becomes more manageable instead of feeling exhausted or difficult.
Meditation Techniques
The first meditation I learned, and the one most people will start with is simply focusing on respiration. This is an excellent way to stop overthinking and focus on the present moment. The great thing about it is that it’s always with you, so you can practice anywhere, anytime. This technique will always bring you to a state of tranquility, eventually. I say “eventually” because sometimes, when we are very worked up, it can take longer to calm down, but it’s always possible.
I practiced meditation focused on my respiration for about 20 years before I realized that another style could help me progress further in purifying my mind: Vipassana.
Before progressing in Vipassana effectively, one must first develop their ability to meditate on respiration, which sharpens the mind like a master sushi chef’s knife. Afterward, they can move on to Vipassana itself, a technique of observing the entire body through sensations.
Both techniques are useful and should be employed as needed. I won’t go into too much detail about how to practice, as there are many resources online, but I can say that if you are truly interested in learning more, you can attend a life-changing, free Vipassana course. More information can be found at Dhamma.org.
Putting Mindfulness Practice to Use
Learning mindfulness techniques is great, but it’s important to remember that you’ll only experience the benefits if you put them into regular practice. Only when used consistently in our lives will we begin to see the results. At first, starting a regular practice might feel daunting, but once you experience the massive benefits, it will be easier to convince yourself to continue. I personally recommend practicing seated meditation in the morning and evening, but you can also practice during the day whenever you feel the need. The more, the better! Eventually, it won’t feel like a chore because you’ll feel so good after seeing the benefits firsthand.
Conclusion: Peace is Found Within
It’s time to stop being a slave to our monkey minds. We don’t need to let our emotions dictate whether we’re in a peaceful state or a chaotic one. Through mindfulness practice, we can train our wild minds into a tool that works for us. No longer do we have to fall victim to emotions like fear and anger. The sooner you start a mindfulness practice, the sooner you will see the benefits in your life and the more peaceful you will become! Don’t wait, start it now, you can thank me later.
