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Why is controlling a restless mind such a struggle?
The multitude of physical forms, both living and non-living entities, are reservoirs of energy with finite boundaries. Our senses can perceive those boundaries, such as the surface of a stone, the outline of a leaf, or the visible parts of the human body. The mind is also a reservoir of energy. Its form is subtle, we cannot perceive the boundaries of the mind as a whole, but we can experience the distinct separation between one thought and another. When thoughts are numerous, and in continuous movement, it becomes hard to keep up with individual thought forms. There is attention fatigue, and we perceive the mind as being restless.
The mind uses time to create space for movement
A fundamental requirement for the existence of physical matter is space. Time is of lesser importance. For the mind, time is of greater importance. Using time, the mind creates space by spreading out into the past and the future. It is through movement that the mind exists. A restless mind is in constant motion. Achieving stillness of mind implies arresting its natural state of movement.
Movement is the foundation of the mind
Movement is fundamental to the mind, just as action is central to the functioning of the heart. Each heartbeat is a whole sequence of movements of the heart muscle, its valves, and the…
