I found this book very useful in helping me learn to meditate https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250104904/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1#customerReviews

I've never been able to stop thinking.

But I found yoga nidra a while back, which is essentially these extended body / thought meditations. They tell you exactly what to focus on, so your mind has a task. The benefits in terms of relaxation have been amazing for me.

Every time you get a thought, just say stop it to the thought. That will initially get you a split second of no thought before it starts up again. Tell the thoughts to stop again. Keep doing this and eventually it will get better.

Excessive thinking tends to be a real drain on vital energy. You don't need to put up with it!

Practice. Use guided meditation and focus on something like the music or a certain sound. Only focus on that. It takes time.

Some people can compartmentalize more than others. I've stopped trying to meditate. It's not for me. My husband can do it anywhere, at any time. I'm so jealous.

I think you are supposed to be aware of your thoughts throughout the process, to allow them and observe them, rather than trying to ignore them.

Anonymous wrote:Meditation teaches that but it takes time. I think you have it backwards.

This. You're increasing the control parts of the brain with meditation and breathing, so that they can better regulate the anxious parts (to use layman's terms).

You don’t need to stop thinking to meditate. You simply notice what you are thinking and feeling. Try the 10 percent happier app. It’s a great meditation for the overthinkers among us.

Really the object of meditation is to return yourself to the breath. So the fact that you are getting distracted is normal and actually sort of the point. It's recognizing that and not reacting to the thoughts and returning to the breath. The more you have to bring yourself back, the better you are getting at it! (Also, start small. Meditate for 5 minutes and slowly work up. It really is a skill that you build over time.)

To meditate, find some mindfullness exercises online. My favorite is "ocean waves". Breathe in and out as you envision ocean waves coming in and out around your ankles.

Light candles, burn incense, and play a song when you meditate so your body will recognize "it's meditation time".

Focus on the breathing. Over and over, breathing. As PP said, recognize you cannot turn your brain off and thoughts will come, but just keep focusing on the breathing. After practice, you will do it more easily.

Yoga. That was the exact original purpose of yoga, to teach people to be able to sit and meditate.

Yes! It's so hard. The key for me was to accept that my thoughts would be more powerful than my meditating, and that was okay. Not to give up feeling like a failure for it. Just acknowledge it and go back. "This isn't thinking time - I'm supposed to be meditating now. So now, where's my breath?" and I'd hop right back on the horse.

Meditation teaches that but it takes time. I think you have it backwards.

Has anyone ever learned to stop worrying/over thinking so can meditate?