Take Shelter in the Stillness

Have you imagined that meditation is stopping all thoughts? That is like trying to stop the wind. Let the wind be while you take shelter in the stillness of the Self. Thoughts may continue but they need not disturb you or interrupt your meditation. The wind doesn't blow all day. Eventually it quiets down. Give no regard to the thought activity and it will subside.
~Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian, from her book Living for the Sake of the Soul

When I was beginning to meditate I had this idea that I should have no thoughts during meditation. Many people have that idea and stop practicing because of it. I was continually frustrated, which stirred up my mind even more. I'd look at the others around me who were sitting quietly and in what I thought was a thought-less meditation, but not for me. By the grace of God, I continued to sit and at some point let go of the expectation of a certain experience during my meditation practice. I started to see how my life was changing. I was experiencing more calmness in my life, more awareness of and trust in my intuition and a clearer mind. I was also experiencing more awareness of grace that carried me through difficult times. Once I let go of the expectation of what I thought meditation should be, I began to look forward to this time in silence each day. Now I still have times when I go on a "think-a-thon" during my time of sitting, but I just gently notice it and am grateful for the noticing. I bring my self back to my technique and slip into peace again. "Let the wind be while you take shelter in the stillness of the Self."