Question: “Lately I’ve been feeling really chaotic, and it’s messed up my grades. I’ve tried yoga and meditation, but as soon as I go in to study, I feel like my head is full and can’t be emptied, despite what I did before. I’m also afraid that I won’t succeed so I don’t feel like trying. In terms of emptying myself of all these feelings and being more concentrated, what should I do?”
Continue meditating. Yoga only tames the body, but meditation tames the mind (though I’m sure many will argue that yoga also tames the mind, but whatever works for you). Meditation, or any activity to clear our minds, is not a one-time, miracle pill; you have to take several doses before it has any real effect on you. With meditation it takes endless practice and a lifetime to be able to sit with a clear mind and have the hours go by as if they were only seconds.
You giving up on studying is not going to make you study or bring up your grades. If you want good grades, then you have to work hard to get them. If you want an “empty” mind, then you have to work hard to achieve it. Nothing happens for you because you simply “want” it. We’re not gods, we can’t just snap our fingers and have things magically happen.
You must meditate with diligence, effort and a strong will to achieve a peaceful, clear mind. 5-10 minutes a day is not going to cut it. It takes 15 minutes just to get into a mindset that is only slightly wavy with thoughts. If you’re only beginning meditation, you can start with 10-15 minutes for a couple of weeks, but then you should start increasing your time with 3-5 minute intervals.
Just keep meditating. Concentrate on something that makes you happy or smile. When you study, concentrate on why you’re studying; to get good grades, graduate with a high GPA, get a great job, and live a life with little worries.
Smile and be well!