Since birth, till now in our life, our mind has been filled with Maya (worldly illusion), our picture of this world, our needs, ourselves and this universe, all dictated by our illusion , our mind, our Maya. They say, that in-order to see the real you, you need to empty your mind of Maya. When no maya exists, no need exists, no curiosity exists, no intellect exists. This emptiness or void is a steady state of consciousness, where the intellect is sleeping and our consciousness is awake, realizing its absolute , undying nature, that being One with the universe.
As every student of life, I too have faced this problem. How do I make my mind empty, how do I ..just give myself up to the emptiness.
I would like to share a few things, which have really helped me to reduce the chatter, and I am sure, many of you would have things to share with me on this.
1. Japa - Chanting the name of your favourite , God, Guru or just any sound which brings peace ( Om, Hum, Vam, Lam,....) , in a loop.
Concentrating on the sound, the letters , the image that come to your mind when you chant the word. This keeps your mind
empty. I have realized that Ashwin Mudra ( closing the rectum by contracting rectal muscles ) when chanting the mantra, helps
provide the energy needed for going into long chant sessions.
2. Rudraksha - Wearing a 14-mukhi rudraksha on the forehead, a 11-mukhi rudraksha on the crown, releases a very strong endorphin
which makes you drowsy. But when you relax and reduce the chatter in your mind , this drowsiness seems to vanish. So
the Rudraksha doesn't stop the thoughts, but it guides you to stop them. It can act as a Guru , if you dont have one in your
life as yet.
3. Concentrating on the present - Trying to keep thoughts to Now.
4. Bhakti - Having infinite love for your Guru, Teacher or any image of God or symbol of purity in your mind ( your baby, your mother) helps
remove all thoughts which "threaten" your mind into alertness.
5. Routine - Having a definite routine of getting up early and sleeping early, helps to anchor the ship, and gives a calmness to the mind.

Please share with me any of your experiences on the same.

Om