Our minds are like a wild garden, full of thoughts and feelings, anxieties and distractions. I call this white noise. The white noise appears to come from nowhere and has a life of its own. We feel it just happens to us, that we have no control.
If I allow my suburban garden to go rampant, it becomes a jungle. The structure, form and pathways are lost. Alternatively when I choose to cultivate the plants I love, I fertilise them and make space by regularly clearing out the weeds. This requires discrimination, time and consistent effort.
The beauty and peace of such a garden is worth it.
So it is with my mind.
White noise causes suffering. It causes negative thinking and pollutes all aspects of our lives.
White noise has been coming from the White house recently and taken centre stage in political life.
In American politics, Twitter has become a form of presidential communications. We see small storms forming regularly. There is no space between thought and Tweet, then no space between Tweet and reactivity. Everyone is subject to the ranting of over-blown egos. Underdeveloped consciousness is running riot.
This is a recipe for social, economic and political volatility. Can you feel it?
Twenty years ago I lived with what I perceived to be a normal level of background anxiety, stress and fear. It seemed to have always been there and I was often tired, drained and sick. I developed an unconscious habit of having the radio on as a distraction.
Then I noticed a series of meditation classes and went along out of curiosity. I enjoyed the meditation and found it comforting. It wasn’t until later I discovered it had a subtle and profound effect on me.
After the meditation I went home to prepare dinner. My family were surprised to find me preparing the evening meal in silence. They wanted to know why I didn’t have the radio on. Interestingly I wasn’t aware of this change of behaviour, as I simply felt calm and full inside. I didn’t need the distraction of my white noise.
I have since found meditation clears the debris, confusion and stresses of my white noise. I now enjoy calmness and clarity as my primary state. Yes, I still experience disappointments, sadness and anger in daily life, but they dissipate relatively quickly these days. Life happens and I feel the ebb and flow of what is present. My energy and health remain strong and I am far more productive than I was in my previous state. I found a solution to a problem I didn’t know I had.
I am concerned that white noise ends up diagnosed as anxiety or depression, neither of which may be cured by traditional medicine. What would have happened if my GP prescribed medication rather than me finding meditation? I believe diagnosis and medication would have fed the white noise, not quietened it. I believe I would have lost more personal power.
Instead, I have achieved a new state of calmness. I notice thoughts and feelings. Now I discriminate on where to focus. I’m putting aside negative thinking, fears and doubts and mostly stay in the present. This is ongoing and creates cumulative wellbeing.
From a neurological perspective, I created new neural pathways and let old ones die. My brain is rewiring as I cultivate health, clarity, vigour and optimism. This is a healthier place from which to drive my life and continues to be a work in progress.
I now assist people in resolving systemic and personal, relational and emotional issues and trauma. I know this provides a base from which to cultivate a healthy mind. This important work has to be done before we can clear the white noise.
For those who do not need psychotherapy as a starting point, I invite you to take back your mind and direct it as you wish it to be. If you no longer want worry and anxiety to be your primary mind state, find something like meditation or Tai Chi to calm you down. Focus on what you find nurturing, and notice the change. Cultivate a garden you are happy to occupy and continue to take out weeds as they appear. Soon you will notice the difference as you create a healthier reality.
Enjoy it.
I visualise a world where it is reasonable for politicians to pause in the moment and take more time (days even) for consideration. Everyone has a chance to gather their thoughts and make comments and decisions for the greater good. The gravity of responsibility and consequence weighs heavily in a background of ethics and morality and in service to humanity. High emotions and reactivity are not reliable tools for navigating our everyday life.
Imagine a world where everybody, politicians and ordinary people, willingly engage in daily practices to sustain their mental and physical health, no longer hostage to white noise. What a beautiful garden we would create together.
This is the basis of the work I do as an author, psychotherapy innovator and trainer. These ideas are explored in my book Be Rich AND Spiritual and my therapeutic work is presented in Rapid Core Healing available from Amazon.
Yildiz is the founder of two psychotherapies, a clinical hypnotherapist, Family Constellations facilitator and educator/trainer and author of three books. Her latest book Rapid Core Healing Pathways to growth and emotional healing (2016). Yildiz runs a private practice in Brisbane, Australia, travelling nationally and globally to train clinicians and run workshops for the general public.
Organisations involved in training or growth interested in Rapid Core Healing (RCH) Family Constellations and Emotional Mind Integration (EMI) courses or applications may contact
These ideas are presented in her book Rapid Core Healing for Growth and Emotional Healing
Here is who I am www.yildizsethi.com and this is how you may engage in what I have to offer www.rapidcorehealing.com.