Gentle Returns
When my thoughts stray, I accept that my mind is just doing its job – thinking – and then gently return to my subject.
When I try to focus, my mind wanders. It goes to the past (regret) or the future (fear). My immediate reaction is self-condemnation: 'You're doing it wrong. You're distracted. You're hopeless.' This internal scolding disrupts my peace far more than the distraction itself.
The instruction to 'gentle return' is a radical act of self-compassion. It treats the mind like a puppy—it wanders because that's its nature, not because it's bad. I don't kick the puppy; I gently pick it up and put it back on the paper. Every time I catch my mind wandering and bring it back without judgment, I am doing a 'rep' of spiritual muscle building. The magic isn't in staying focused perfectly; the magic is in the returning. That return is the practice.
I can practice the 'gentle return' today. When I lose focus during a task or prayer, I will visualize a kind hand gently guiding me back. I will refuse to say anything negative to myself about the distraction.
