A Storm Inside Think about what it feels like when you’re upset You might feel scared sad or frustrated The feeling may seem to take up a lot of space in your body and mind Negative thoughts start zooming around your head You might think I’m sure I failed that test today I’ll never be good at math My parents will be so mad at me These feelings and thoughts can feel like a storm inside you But there are ways to help you cope with them including meditation COPING TOOLBOX 44 Thinking the same thoughts over and over is called rumination Meditation frees your mind from clinging to thoughts
When you’re upset your thoughts may be negative untrue and based in the past or future instead of the present 55
What Is Meditation Meditation is a practice rooted in ancient India In meditation you often find a quiet place and close your eyes You tune out anything happening outside of you and tune in to what’s happening inside of you Once you’ve tuned out the outside world you focus on something such as a visual word or breath You become aware of your thoughts They start to slow down After a while you may have a feeling of calm or stillness and peace COPING TOOLBOX 66 Meditation is one of the eight limbs or branches of yoga It’s called dhyana dyah-NAA in Sanskrit the language of ancient India
It may feel impossible to find stillness in your mind But meditation is a practice Aim for progress not perfection 77
