I recently received an email from a reader that I felt needed a long and thoughtful response, but instead I ran out of time and did a half response, but still feel Ike it’s important to publish. Here is her original email and my response:

My mind has a mind of its own. I seriously wonder if I am mentally ill. Is there just one practice you could give me to help my rangle my mind and practice mindfulness? It would have to be fairly simple because this is really hard for me. Any help you could offer me would be greatly appreciated. I thank you sir.

Dear Tracy,

I was hoping to provide a more detailed reply, but that will have to
wait. As they say, this is the response we have so its the response we
are supposed to have. I’ll send and post a longer response later on
this great question.

If you are having severe mental issues or depression, then you should
see a medical professional, because I am not one and can only tell you
what made me feel better, but I do not have experience or skills with
those types of issues and no one is going to license me to provide
medical advice.

I found this path, because my life always seemed to be missing
something, but I couldn’t identify what it was. For me it started with
Buddhism, but millions of people realize the power of mindfulness on
their own and through a multitude of ways. The interesting thing
though is that most people end up seeing mindfulness, because of a
similar “craziness” to what you are feeling. We think we are missing
something or need something when wholeness and happiness are within us
already.

The important thing to understand is that for awhile you won’t
understand. For awhile things can seem overwhelming and difficult,
because the objective of mindfulness is to reduce thinking. Yes, I
know that seems even more difficult to grasp, but it will come with
time.

Here’s how I got started:

1. I read and reread a lot of great books on mindfulness and buddhism.
Buddhism Plain and Simple By Steve Hagen
Buddhism Isn’t What You Think By Steve Hagen
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
A New Earth by Eckhart
Loving What Is by Byron Katie (http://thework.com)

2. I learned and practiced a simple Meditation and I practiced it as
often as I could when I was in a quiet place and when I was not. It
can feel incredibly difficult, but there is no right or wrong
meditation. I simply count my breaths up to 10 and then count my
breaths down to 1. I usually use other simple words beyond counting
like “breathing in, i know i am happy”, but just counting is fine.

Breathing in 1, Breathing out 1
Breathing in 2, Breathing out 2
.
.
.
Breathing in 10, Breathing out 10
Breathing in 9, Breathing out 9

When your mind is out of control, this is a great way to slow it down
or stop it.

3. Finally, I just observe my thoughts. The more you think the less
happy and content you are. If you just see your thoughts and observe
them, then you will slow things down a bit. This is not about judging
your thoughts nor is it about stopping thoughts. Just let your
thoughts be. Let them appear and let them disappear. Think of it like
watching soap bubbles that float by you and then pop and disappear.
What’s amazing is that you realize there is a “you” that is beyond
your thoughts. As you do it more and more, you will catch yourself
laughing at the things you think and how your mind works.

Those are some quick suggestions, that I am sure will also be
confusing. They were for me. If there is anything I can suggest it’s
to stop trying to get to happiness and just be where you are. Accept
what comes into your life and you will be amazed at what your life can
be.

Hope this helps. More on this later and please feel free to write back
with questions or concerns. You will likely have dozens of moments
where you “think” “Thats ridiculous” and that’s fine, but i hope
you’ll stick with it.