For an Empath, learning to control the mind is prerequisite to a happy, healthy life. It is after all thoughts that create our outlook on reality.

As thoughts and feelings are interconnected, the way we think about anything is how we feel about it. Thoughts trigger emotions both positive and negative.

Negative thoughts are catalyst to building feelings of anger, fear or sadness, etc. Positive thoughts create feelings of warmth and happiness.

It is said the average person has 35 thoughts a minute. If only a quarter of them are dark, life will be unnecessarily challenging.

Dark thoughts can keep us up at night and wake us in the morning. They take over our mind when driving (how often have you got somewhere without remembering the journey?) and can too easily distract us from life.

Also, picking up the emotions of others has a massive impact on the way we think. Which could be a good or bad thing, depending on the emotional energy.

The good news is, we have a choice over the thoughts we indulge. The trick is learning how to break free from the more negative musings and this involves quietening the mind.

Being able to quieten the mind may take time and effort but, in doing so, it ignites an incredible inner calm! And one of the best ways to do this is through meditation.

By meditating, it does not mean we never have thoughts again. We simply gain greater control over those we choose to focus on. This ultimately prevents us getting lost in the type of thoughts that trigger painful emotions. Which is especially beneficial to the Empath.

There are many types of meditation to try, and they don’t all involve sitting on the floor in the lotus position. There is a type to suit each Empath: chanting, breath-work, visualisation, trance, etc.

You don’t have to stay in doors either. You can do a walking meditation where you externalise your awareness and focus on everything around you. e.g.: your feet on the grass as you walk, or at the trees and clouds in the sky above you.

When practised with awareness, yoga is a moving meditation that unites body, mind and spirit and is a good option for those who do not like to sit still.

Unlike in relaxation, we don’t want to fall asleep in meditation. This is the time to quieten a busy mind through intention; if we fall asleep, we lose that opportunity.

When first meditating, it is common for mind chatter to step up a gear. It feels like the world and his wife has taken up residence in the head… all with very loud voices. This is often the egoic mind at work wanting to stay in control of the thought process. This is entirely normal, albeit somewhat frustrating. And, just like turbulence on a plane, when we push through we eventually climb above it… then, all becomes calm, smooth and serene.

A regular meditation practise is essential to reap the full benefits because, as with anything in life, good things don’t happen overnight. The more we practice the calmer our thoughts and emotions become.

Not only is meditation a must for gaining control of the mind it is another great technique for balancing the chakras (Read here how unbalanced chakras destroys the Empath). It is also anti-ageing, de-stressing to the body and an incredible aid to sleep — especially when done in darkness.

Meditating in the dark helps keep the pineal gland (third eye) healthy, which in turn keeps the production of melatonin balanced.

What Does Melatonin Do?

Melatonin is known as the anti-ageing hormone and is produced by the pineal gland (area of third eye) in the darkness. It is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates the sleep cycle. It is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and helps prevent, and treat, many illnesses including cancer.

Studies have shown that meditation, done in complete darkness, before bedtime, increases production of melatonin and produces enough to last the night. This can be further aided by focusing on the third-eye (centre of forehead), which in turn stimulates the pineal gland.

Starting a Practice

To begin a meditation practise, it is best to plan a set time every day. Perhaps start with ten minutes and build to twenty or thirty.

Having no distractions is important. If you think someone will walk in and disturb you, that’s all you’ll think about when you’re supposed to be meditating.

If there is a lot of external noise, pop some earphones in and play some gentle music, or listen to a guided meditation… As long as you practice regularly you will continue to see the many benefits unfold.

Here are links to some meditations and breathing techniques.

Hope this helps on your Empath journey.

Until next time..

©Diane Kathrine at Empaths Empowered

Also posted on Awakening People