Client: “I can’t get my #$!*% gerbil brain to Be Quiet!!!

Here’s how. (This is also a great tool for Stress Reduction! ) Your brain loves to think. That’s its job. One way is to ‘trick it’ by giving it something else to do. This is why most meditative practices use a mantra, or repetitive word or phrase, so that peacefulness can come while the mind occupies itself saying “peace”, “om”, “salamander”, whatever works. For really busy people (99% of the population here in Washington, D.C.) I borrow from The Monroe Institute and use what I call Al Gore’s Lock Box. Visualize a large trunk. Open the lid and deposit everything that keeps you focused on your outer life—day planner, to do list, problems, bosses, kids, etc. You can use literal or symbolic images. Some people even remove their whole ‘head’ and place it in there. When you’re done close the lid and affirm you will return in a few minutes to retrieve everything. Secure the lid with a lock or cord. Begin to focus on a blackboard and see numbers from 100 to 0. Start erasing them until you get to ninety, then erase all the rest. Proceed with the imagery in the 4/29 post or, for stress reduction simply go through your entire body and breathe peace and calm to each part. Go back to the box when finished. Tell yourself that your problems are resolving and your life is now going to improve every day! Then retrieve the items and proceed with your day!