We all suffer from something called the scattered mind syndrome according to the BBC. Our minds have been rewired to multitask with companies encouraging digital platforms for communication. We sit on the edge feeling uncomfortable when there is nothing to do because most of us have been hard-wired to check our social media, emails, and texts to react to something. In fact, we are mistaken to think we are able to multitask. There is no such thing as multitasking. The mind can only do one thing at a time. Multitasking is just switching from one thing to another quickly. Due to today’s work culture, it is becoming more important to recollect our minds. But, what is the purpose of recollection?
What is recollection?
To recollect is to remember, to unite, and to gather. Therefore, the purpose of recollection is to remember, to unite, or to gather our minds. Our minds have been described to be like untamed monkeys swinging from tree to tree. The tree represents thoughts. The monkey represents the mind. The monkey as we have seen in zoos or in the wild is not very capable of staying still unless they are preening each other.
Why recollect the mind?
One or two monkeys facing a predator have a higher probability of getting caught. But when they, as most animals do, unite and travel together, there is safety in numbers. You can also use this example of the monkeys in training your mind. The predators of the mind are thoughts of discontentment, restlessness, laziness, or anything that causes negative reactions. When the monkeys come together in a unit (like your mind), they are strong.
We pay attention to numerous things and get easily distracted making our minds prey to negative thoughts. But if we were to unite our mind, there is more power in the mind to direct the thoughts as opposed to being scattered in laziness, confusion, or restlessness. A united mind becomes aware when disruptive or negative thoughts affect our well-being. Recollection helps us live fully in the present. In this way, we never miss living and being alive.
How to recollect the mind?
The easiest way to recollect the mind is to pay attention to the body. That is because the body is living in the present but the mind is not. The mind is either absorbed in the past and the future or unaware of the present.
Body scan meditation is the easiest to bring our minds to the present moment. We learn to pay attention to the different parts of the body. In this way, we learn to become sensitive to our body sensations. Our bodies tell us a lot about how we are feeling and what we are thinking because remember, the body reacts to feelings and thoughts.
You can try our guided body scan meditation practice. Training your mind to get used to being with your body means that. in daily life, your mind becomes comfortable being with the body in the present. When the mind is in the present moment, it doesn’t scatter to the past or the future.
Check out our mindfulness courses to help you train your mind so you can begin to have mastery over your thoughts and live fully and joyfully.
