Isn’t it interesting that we seek fullness in almost everything—a full glass, a full bank account, a full heart, and a full life—yet when it comes to the mind, we desire emptiness?
Redefining our relationship with the mind is often where true freedom lies. If we insist that joy, connection, and peace can only come from a quiet mind, we box ourselves into a limited view of well-being, setting rigid expectations that overlook the richness of our unique experiences and mental states. If our minds happen to be active, full, or overflowing, does that mean we’re missing out on what we’re “supposed” to be experiencing?
Living in the beautiful San Bernardino mountains of Southern California, I find the absence of sound a constant source of wonder. The quiet here is so deep and palpable, it feels like it has a presence of its own.
At first, I felt pressured to use this silence. Here was the perfect setting to practice meditation and mindfulness. This was where my Higher Self waited, where enlightenment was within reach—if only I could clear my mind completely.
So, I began taking daily walks in the forest with my dog, practicing the art of emptying my mind of everything but the present. The more I worked at mindfulness, though, the fuller my mind became—but from a different source. At first, this was frustrating. My mind was supposed to be quiet! How could I find true presence or reach higher tranquility if I couldn’t clear my thoughts?
Then there was the natural, subtle ringing in my ears—a sound that grew deafening in the forest’s stillness. Now, even that noise felt too loud. My Higher Self, I thought, would reveal its vast knowledge if only I could eliminate all distractions. Drat, there was always something in the way of my greatest awakening…
That’s when I realized that this constant “working” to fix what wasn’t broken, to seek something that isn’t lost, is just another sandbox in this vast playground called existence.
A full, active mind didn’t make me “less than.” In fact, my mind, alive with ideas and inspiration, was the source of a rich, dynamic experience. My mind was asking me to shift how I relate to it—to release the belief that peace only exists in stillness and recognize that each mental state has its own wisdom.
Instead of aiming for an empty mind, this approach to mindfulness invited me to experience a new kind of fullness—one that emerges from connecting with life’s details, sensations, and beauty in every moment. It’s not about detachment but about drawing meaning from each encounter so that the mind is enriched by what surrounds us and what lies within.
A mind brimming with thoughts, memories, and visions of the future calls for new definitions and deeper understanding. Instead of viewing it as “cluttered,” we can see it as alive with potential. It’s an invitation to explore what these thoughts are revealing, to dig into the assumptions around how things “should” look, and to challenge beliefs that limit our experiences.
With this perspective, mindfulness becomes a practice not of silencing thoughts but of letting life’s richness fill us. A full life, lived with awareness, doesn’t empty the mind; it’s a constant source of inspiration, insight, and joy. This kind of fullness is different from the clutter of distractions or worries—it’s a natural enrichment that connects us deeply to a world full of variety, allowing every thought and feeling its rightful place and meaning.
💋Kristen
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