What Happens When You Can’t Let Go Of A Thought?

We’re often told, when being taught or having meditation described, to let go of our thoughts. Let them pass by, don’t cling to them, let them be like clouds in the sky. This is a great way to describe meditation, and it’s a relatively accurate one as well.

But what if you can’t let go of a thought? What if there is a thought or image that is persistent? What if it keeps coming back over and over again, and keeps trying to force you to pay attention to it?

Maybe you should.

Persistent thoughts and images might have a purpose

Letting go of your thoughts is a good starting point if you’re new to meditation, meditating to relieve stress, or simply want to do that kind of meditation. There are other reasons for meditation, though, and persistent thoughts and images can play a role in them.

Photo by Tachina Lee on Unsplash

Whether you let go of your thoughts or not, meditation is about taking the time to quiet your mind. It’s about taking control of your mind in a sense. All day long, your thoughts tend to be like wayward toddlers: they go where they want when they want, and if you don’t give them the attention they want, they keep coming back. Even when you’re focusing on a project or an idea or in the middle of a conversation, your thoughts are often still…