The only way to end distraction

When you are being distracted, don’t focus on (and blame) the object of your distraction. This will be a trap!

Close all your mental doors and look within: investigate what is going on in your mind! You will see why you pay attention to the object that “distracted” you: the object certainly has a connection with a perception you keep in mind! If you investigate this perception carefully, understanding will arise. With that understanding, the connection with the object of your distraction is also broken. It is because the cause that called for this distraction is in you: a fear, a desire, a “me” with “I want this”, “I don’t want that”. When you make it personal, then your mind is disturbed by the object.

This is the only way to end a particular distraction and many similar distractions that will come later if you don’t investigate that something in you. Fortunately, this is also a golden gem for your personal growth: once you understand how the mechanism of your mind works, you can use it deliberately for your eternal wellbeing and happiness.

It is said by many spiritual Teachers that all wisdoms come from Stopping and Looking deeply. In meditation, they are considered the 2 wings of a bird: Samatha and Vipasyana. Then an insight is born. Then you see that every living being, every life form, including human, has its own way of being intelligent. To reject anything is to block your own intelligence. You will respect all forms of life as they are. There’s no more any distraction…

If you want to learn more about Samatha and Vipasyana, and the power of the Present moment, here is a beautiful talk by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.