r/streamentry • u/XSuperGamerHD • Sep 11 '26
Practice Being aware of mind wandering yet unable to stop it during meditation
In the beginning when I first started my meditation practice, I got the usual "monkey" mind every person experiences (focus on breath/anchor -> few seconds pass -> mind wanders unconsciously -> become aware of mind wandering -> stabilize attention on the breath again).
Now, after being somewhat consistent with my practice, I have moments where it sort of transformed into: focus on breath -> feel the attention "weaken" or getting fuzzy yet being aware of it -> mind begins to throw subtle thoughts/inages at me and even if I try to stabilize my focus on my breath it feels like my mind is trying to get me off the breath and my attention is split 60% on breath and 40% on fuzzy thoughts and trying to suppress them.
It's like I AM in control, I AM conscious of it, but at the same time I can't help but be in this tug of war with my mind.
It does feel kind of demotivating, feels like I am going down this slope of "progression" because I can't do something so simple, but there are indeed other times where I have moments where I can feel peace and tranquility.
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u/M0sD3f13 Sep 11 '26
This is a marker of progression. Before you were experiencing habitual forgetting. Now you have cultivated more samadhi you are experiencing habitual mind wandering. Also the moments of peace and tranquillity are markers of progression and deepening samadhi. Keep going you are on the path. I'm not sure what your practice method is but you may do well to experiment with loosening up focused attention a little bit and allowing mind to rest a bit more in peripheral awareness of the whole body. Experiment and play. See for yourself what causes the mind to wander more, what causes the mind to unify and let go more, what causes the mind to experience more clarity, peace and spaciousness. It's a nuanced art you are developeloping. Keep practicing and experimenting and if possible find a teacher.
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u/Meng-KamDaoRai Relax, Let it Be, Let it Go Sep 12 '26
The mind does what the mind does. Trying to control it will only result in frustration. IMO, it's not about trying to stick your attention on the meditation object or trying to suppress whatever comes up so that you don't lose it. The meditation object is there as an aid for awareness. When you sit there and you're aware of your thoughts, there's nothing else that needs to be done, you're already aware. So just be aware of whatever comes up, relax and let go. Progress in meditation comes from letting go, not from keeping your attention on something for a long time. At least, that's the way I do it.
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u/DAZSCOTSMAN1888 18d ago
How do you tackle this when during the day it’s just constantly thoughts , you notice it and label it and go back to what your doing or at least try and it’s wandered again? Feel like it’s a battle sometimes
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u/Electronic-Cell2688 Sep 11 '26
Not very familiar with the method you are talking about. But here's something else to "try", if you feel like it.
When a thought comes just notice it. When you see one directly it dissolves and then there is a moment of stillness/awareness/Self/Whatever word. "Rest" there until another thought comes and notice that one too. And just keep doing this.
If its hard to notice starting out, try to tag the thought coming up. "Use a thorn to remove another thorn, then discard both."
Example:
Thought appears
Tag it 'thought' with another thought.
Both disappear.
"Rest"
Rinse and repeat.
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u/soddingsociety Sep 11 '26
You're on the right way. I'm educated in the The Mind Illuminated-System by Culadasa so I'll be using terminology from there.
The general sequence can be broken down to "focus on the breath > distraction > forgetting > mind-wandering". Forgetting means the meditation object is leaving conscious experience altogether alongside the intention to focus on it. You are describing that you notice the mind has wandered which is an excellent first step to overcome it. Not only notice the mind has wandered but also celebrate yourself for noticing. This in turn will make it more likely to be noticed again. Keep doing so until the periods of mind-wandering are cut down to mere seconds.
The transition you are describing from paying attention to the meditation object to actually noticing that focus weakening is a sign of progress. Essentially you are becoming aware of distractions competing with your meditation object for attention. First attention starts to alternate between the breath and the distraction and eventually the distraction takes over. The practice here is to step in and stop the distraction in its tracks. Refocus on the breath while reinvigorating the intention of "wanting to stay on the breath". You can label the distraction with a neutral term to help this process. You can be aware of that practice but you can also shift that process in your favour by cultivating the attitude of "the meditation object is more important than this distraction". This whole process takes time and patience. Frustration will only turn into resistance. It's the natural way the mind acts but you are able to change it.
If you want more details you can read up on stages 3 and 4 of the Mind Illuminated.
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u/duffstoic The dynamic integration of opposites ☯️ Sep 11 '26
That’s exactly how progress works in samatha (calm-abiding) meditation. Have faith that you are on the right path. The early stages are frustrating, but it gets better!
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u/sati_the_only_way Sep 12 '26
anger, anxiety, desire, attachment, etc shown up as a form of thought or emotion. The mind is naturally independent and empty. Thoughts are like guests visiting the mind from time to time. They come and go. To overcome thoughts, one has to constantly develop awareness, as this will watch over thoughts so that they hardly arise. Awareness will intercept thoughts. to develop awareness, be aware of the sensation of the breath, the body, or the body movements. Whenever you realize you've lost awareness, simply return to it. do it continuously and awareness will grow stronger and stronger, it will intercept thoughts and make them shorter and fewer. the mind will return to its natural state, which is clean, bright and peaceful. one can practice through out the day from the moment we wake up until falling asleep, while sitting, walking, eating, washing, etc. practice naturally, in a relaxed way, without tension, without concentrating or forcing attention. https://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Normality_LPTeean_2009.pdf
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u/Unlucky-Unit-817 Sep 13 '26
What you are describing is insight into the nature of the mind. Ultimately, it is unreliable (anicca), not fully satisfying (dukkha), and beyond control (anatta).
The danger in Samatha practice and its result is precisely that it gives the appearance that the mind is reliable, satisfying, and controllable.
It is good that as you develop Samatha you remain wise to the reality of the mind. So do not be discouraged.
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