While aum chanting, I need to count seven chants. On the third one: “I’m on number three, four more to go, next one will the the four, with only three left.”
By the time I start the fourth one: “Am I on three or four? Or am I on five because the previous one was four?”
Keeping the count would have been so easy as to just think: “I’m on three”, and keep it there. But no, I start making calculations, anticipating the future, making assumptions… creating a mess in my head.
I feel the secret to stop overthinking is trust. Trust that, when the moment comes, you will know what is needed. When you stop trusting, you start anticipating, and then you mix present with future and create a mess.
What a simple lesson to stay present: “I’m on three”.