Racing thoughts are described by Wikipedia as: “Generally, racing thoughts are described by an individual who has had an episode as an event where the mind uncontrollably brings up random thoughts and memories and switches between them very quickly. Sometimes they are related, as one thought leads to another; other times they are completely random. A person suffering from an episode of racing thoughts has no control over his or her train of thought and it stops them from focusing on one topic or prevents sleeping.
Racing thoughts, also referred to as “racing mind”, may prevent a person from falling asleep. Chronic sleep apnea and prolonged disturbed sleep patterns may also induce racing thoughts. Treatment for Sleep Apnea and Obstructive Airway Disorder can improve airflow and improve sleep resulting in improved brain and REM function and reduced racing thought patterns.”
Over the many years of teaching mindfulness, racing thoughts could be the largest concern voiced to me by people who have come to address the multiple expressions of stress. It causes great concern and anxiety and usually they have tried many different approaches to getting the thoughts to slow down or stop and finding ways to block them out. Sadly this approach of trying to out muscle thoughts only leads to making matters worse, yet it seems to be the most common approach.
Mindfulness uses a completely different approach that is actually just the opposite of what is normally presented as the solution. With mindfulness we treat thoughts as an opportunity to fully experience another part of ourselves in the present moment. We put out the welcome mat in the same way that we would our breath, emotions and body. One approach is to imagine a movie screen with the thoughts being seen on screen coming and going. Watch them appear and then disappear making room for the next one. When I first started practicing I would notice a space every once and awhile between thoughts. After more practice the thoughts would slow down and I would experience more spaces. Now, years later the spaces have overtaken the thoughts and the experience has spilled over into my everyday experience, not just during meditation. It has become very peaceful when the thoughts slow down and then stop for extended periods of time. There is much to explore in that silence and stillness.