7 Comments
User's avatar
Anne Chieu Hien Nguyen's avatar

I found this very helpful as someone who often experiences negative rumination.

Dharma Lab's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing, Anne. We all do. Let us know if any particular aspect resonated.

Marilyn Jones's avatar

Thank you. Very easy to understand and use these three strategies. The way you both teach models what it means to be calm, cool and collected.

Dharma Lab's avatar

Thank you, Marilyn. If you can share more, how did you use these models or what was helpful?

Marilyn Jones's avatar

My most common way to replace/remove rumination is by connecting with my body or with some task. My most common way to transform rumination is by noticing my thoughts while remembering that I do not have to engage with them---I can just let them be. My most common way of transcending is to examine my thinking with curiousity---as in, hmm, I wonder what is making me think about that right now.

Dharma Lab's avatar

Thank you for sharing, Marilyn

Mia's avatar

I use the three strategies you mention quite regularly, though I wasn't really aware of the labels you use for them..

I use removing when my mind is caught up in compulsive worries or fear in daily life.

I use transforming mostly in daily life by asking questions, either "Is it true?" (adapted from Byron Katie) and "Does it matter?" (adapted from Pema Chodron). The first one I mainly use when my mind is judging or stereotyping and the second one when my mind is resisting that what is, when I want things to go my way and they clearly don't!

I use transcending mainly "on the cushion" also in the form of a question: "How does it exist?" I use it to examine thoughts in general and also emotions and physical sensations.