Meditation to Remove Haunting Thoughts – Part 1

May 30, 1990

When the subconscious mind gets clogged up, it produces a haunting thought, something that comes to us all the time, relentlessly, and eventually becomes so painful that we can’t handle it. These things we unconsciously desire or fantasize about, can be internally or externally focused, such as an experience or a possession, and the pursuit of it can become the entire focus of one’s life, undermining spiritual caliber. 

If we can allow ourselves to fully perceive, receive, and process the haunting thought, instead of avoiding it, then it can be resolved and released. We can also do or have the thing that is haunting us to relieve the pressure; but another, easier, method is to clear the thoughts with this meditation.

It is recommended to eat papaya with lemon before practicing this meditation.

Illustration of Elaine sitting in easy pose with hands in gyan mudra and O mouth

1. Modified Cannon Breath

Posture & Mudra: Sit in Easy Pose (Sukhasana).

Movement & Breath: Breathe through the O mouth with a long, deep inhale and a quick, powerful exhale.

Duration: Continue for 7 minutes.

2. Prayer Pose Variation

Posture & Mudra: Sit in Easy Pose (Sukhasana) with a straight spine. Bring your hands into Prayer Pose (Pranam Mudra) at the Heart Center (Anahata Chakra) with the fingers pointing straight forward. Press the hands together very firmly and keep this pressure applied throughout.

Mantra: Listen to the mantra “WAAH YANTEE”.

Suggested recording: Wah Yantee by Nirinjan Kaur from the album Musical Affirmations, Vol. 3.

Movement & Breath: Long Deep Breathing. Breathe as long, slow, and deeply as possible.

Eyes/Drishti: Closed and focused on the Third Eye Point (Ajna Chakra).

Duration: Continue for 16 ½ minutes.

Ending: 

  1. Immediately begin Exercise 3.
  2. Inhale deeply and suspend your breath for 30 seconds. Exhale, releasing the breath very, very slowly over 30 seconds or more.
  3. Repeat this sequence two more times, lengthening the exhale as much as you can.

Illustration of Elaine sitting in easy pose with hands in prayer mudra, pointing forward
Illustration of Elaine sitting in easy pose- dancing with hands above head

3. Shake Out

Posture & Mudra: Sit in Easy Pose (Sukhasana).

Movement & Breath: Shake the arms and legs out vigorously, while keeping your torso steady.

Duration: Continue for 1 ½ minutes.