Tips for quieting the mind

[isis]

Start with Contemplative Meditation. Start recalling every place you've ever been. See the place in your mind and in your mind say:
I've been there.
and then quickly move on to the next place you can think of.

I did this over and over until I couldn't think of any more places I've been and then my mind felt so fatigued that it was completely quiet for the most sublime silent meditation that lasted hours.

Tip #2:
Chant something over and over until your mind craves the silence. It can be a line from a song or "thank you for healing" or anything you can think of.

Do you have any tips for quieting the overactive mind?

My mind is a chatterbox from hell, I could use some tips.

[AnthroHeart]

Do you think that drumming or meditative music can quiet the mind?
My mind is still active in meditation.

[isis]

Do you think that drumming or meditative music can quiet the mind?
My mind is still active in meditation.

that never worked for me

[sillypumpkins]

im not sure how long youve been meditating, but i think as long as you are doing so, you will find what you are looking for

when one is just starting out, the mind is gonna keep chattering as it has been!! practicing meditation can and will quiet the mind, you just have to keep practicing...

when you find yourself drifting into your thoughts, gently (i mean gently!) guide yourself back to the object of meditation, whether that be breath, mantra, w/e.... keep doing this and the rest will follow...

[AnthroHeart]

I've done everything "wrong" if you go by tradition.
I slouch, lay back against a chair. My mind wanders still.
And did not stay dedicated to it for years.
And yet I made substantial progress, though it took 15 years.

[Ozziwtf]

I usually go run a few miles, it helps me stay put after. I think I usually have excess energy and running it out helps me focus afterwards with studying or anything that requires me to pay attention.

[sillypumpkins]

I've done everything "wrong" if you go by tradition.
I slouch, lay back against a chair. My mind wanders still.
And did not stay dedicated to it for years.
And yet I made substantial progress, though it took 15 years.

well... i dont think theres a wrong way! your way is your way.... i sure wasnt consistent for a while. there is something to be said about consistent practice though...

isis, im not sure if you are familiar with the Mind Illuminated, its a book. i know it clicks really well for some. its sort of like a step by step guide of the process behind meditation. the guy who wrote it is/was a professor of social science and neuroscience, and hes also a meditation master mainly focused on the Theravada and Tibetan buddhist traditions/schools. so..... this guy knows his stuff lol. its interesting reading a book about how to meditate by a dude who not only knows the mind from a scientific standpoint, but also from that spiritual standpoint too. personally for me it was helpful for a little while but i think it was a bit too "left-brain" for me, so to speak..... i know some swear by it, might work for you, might not!

be well

[Dtris]

Easiest method IMO.

1. Identify your internal dialogue and a specific phrase or sentence.
2. Repeat that phrase or sentence over and over.
3. Each time you repeat the phrase or sentence remove one syllable from the end.
4. When you remove the final syllable focus on the silence and relax into it. When the silence goes away with another thought repeat.

[Aion]

I usually find the more I focus on my physicality, the less I focus on the mind, and so the less content that arises. We focus on thoughts, so they continue to arise. When we turn our focus away from our thoughts they are no longer being fed.

The more difficult thing is differentiating between your focus and your thoughts.