We are riding at the tip of the arrow of time- which is this present moment. That area of time and space closest to where we are right now, makes the arrowhead.

Our minds are predominantly occupied by impressions related to what we have just been doing, recent experiences from the last few minutes, hours or days. Still fresh and vivid memories from the arrowhead of time- this zone of whatever recently happened- often continue to hover in our minds.

It is natural, that the thoughts relating to this small segment of time and space from our very recent past, tend to occupy our minds frequently. Our brains are still establishing neural connections, processing and trying to integrate these new emerging experiences into memory.

But triggered by certain unusual incidents, like a sudden unexpected event, such thoughts could easily go on overdrive, beyond a natural process of revisiting and recalling.

After an unusual or exciting occurrence, our minds may disproportionately engage with memories about such events. Related thoughts or images tend to repeatedly visit our minds- often causing disturbance, irritation, annoyance and frustration. Much of such mental activity is unnecessary.

The thoughts and feelings of recent events arising from this arrowhead of time, are often obstinate- they repeat, linger, proliferate and stubbornly refuse to vacate the space they have occupied in our minds. They do not easily disperse.

But within a day or two, these memories start fading, turning progressively vague, receding out of this arrowhead of time. Their vivid sharp edges get blurred, losing their strong grip and releasing their hold on our attention.

Free from their recurring onslaught, we are relieved to be left alone, with our mundane minds. As our routine mentation resumes, it becomes relatively easy, to detach from any randomly floating thoughts and slip into a peaceful silence.

We can use help of some techniques, to clear our minds from such episodes of impingement by unwanted thoughts. Increasing body awareness and focussing on our breathing often work.

Here, we visit two methods that can be utilized for this purpose, whenever we notice our attention engaging with uninvited thoughts.

The first method is to consciously direct our attention to that constant background ‘sound’ always heard from within, the inner buzzing, into which all external sounds are received. This is a constantly present humming sound, like an echo of a flowing stream or waterfall, or a continuous song of cicadas!

Sitting in a relatively quiet place and covering the ears to focus on any ‘sound’ heard from within, may help to recognize it for the first time. But once discovered, it is quite easy to notice, at any time or place.

This technique of withdrawing attention to the inner ‘sound of silence’, is not new and has been recommended as an aid for meditation by others. It is very helpful for instantly shifting our attention to a position of alert awareness.

This echo is always present, regardless of any external sound. Noticing this inner ‘sound’ requires an instantaneous gathering of attention to the current moment. We can use this as a tool, whenever we want to return inwards.

Listening attentively to this sound, we become instantly aware. All other distractions immediately recede, leaving behind a field of attention filled with this soundless echo, in which we behold a reflection of our alert presence!

Once alone with a relaxed awareness of this silence, it becomes easy to step out of the swirling thoughts, to simply watch the flow of the dynamic mental impressions.

Occasionally, our minds could get caught in a whirlpool of particularly obstinate recurring thoughts- grasping, analyzing and going around in circles by repeated thinking.

In these cases, we can use our imagination as an aid!

We imagine, that whatever is bothering our mind at that moment- all those nagging thoughts and feelings- are collected together and rolled into a ball. We can visualize them coalescing, their sticky loose ends winding up into a sphere. This ball spontaneously ignites, burning all the annoying nuisances into this fire. Then we simply imagine kicking it away, far out of the arrow of time!

We watch it plunge and disappear into the dense fog of past, eternally trailing behind the arrow of time. This is a conscious symbolic letting go in the now, of all that is unnecessary and unwanted.

Those thoughts are gone, away from the reach of our attention, until we actively recall them again. If we choose not to, we are left alone- serene, calm, peaceful and alert, with the scintillating echo of the ever-flowing fountain of silence!

These techniques are helpful, to quickly clear away those pesky thoughts and feelings, that seem to be disturbing the usual tranquility of our minds. Simple, easy, reliable methods of gathering our scattered attention and gently returning it back- to the tip of the arrow of time, where we are always present here and now!