Watching the Chatter Clears Clutter By Stephanie Bennett Vogt

Have you ever stopped whatever you were doing to simply observe your thoughts? Yes, to do nothing else but watch the nonstop activity of the mind–without doing anything to fix or change what’s going on in there?

If you took that experience and multiplied it by 24 hours and then again by 14 days, that basically describes two weeks I spent on the island of Patmos in Greece this past May. For practiced meditators like my husband, it’s called a meditation retreat. Depending on the day you ask me, a relative newbie to these closed-eye marathons, it’s called being-with-a-mind-that-won’t-shut-up… or, just plain hell.

This is not your typical ascetic experience where you sit in a lotus position for hours on end. This retreat is the deluxe version held at a beautiful hotel with sweeping views of the Aegean. Every day is a feast of fabulous 70-degree weather, gourmet vegetarian dinners, fun-loving participants, inspiring teachers, soul-feeding lessons in human consciousness. Two whole weeks where I am given permission (instructed, actually) to do absolutely nothing…and take nothing seriously.

Heaven, you might say, except for the fact that I feel completely consumed by the orgy of thinking that is taking place in my mind. Watching the gluttony of self-importance churning in my head is exhausting, even nauseating sometimes. And my whole body hurts. The fact that I happen to be on one of the most beautiful places on the planet is lost on me.

So why do something in paradise that is so not pleasing? I ask myself this question countless times, while I thrash about like an addict in rehab, ready to bolt at any minute. The answer: “Week two.”

Disarming the monkey mind (ego) and unwinding from a lifetime of spinning–”very important”–thought-bulletins like; “I need a cup of coffee…Caffeine is bad…My back hurts… I hate this…I love this… I signed up for this?! …Thirteen-and-a-half days to go… Everyone is ‘getting this’ but me…My back hurts … ” takes time.

It’s not the thoughts themselves, I discover, but the constant chewing (identifying, personalizing, feeding, attaching to) them that is so tiring. When I stop chewing, the relief is instantaneous. Like the relief you feel in your mouth when you finally remember to spit out the tasteless wad of gum.

Though the mind has no concept of this (and never will)–and employs a spectacular array of stealth tactics to charm us back into our old habits–the alternative to a “grasping” way of life is pretty darn sweet. It’s the magic that happens when we choose ease. Or take nothing personally. Or surrender to that deep silent space within us that simply knows.

By the end of my second week of mindful non-doing, something begins to poke through the noise and clutter of my mind. Nothing fancy or earth shattering, really. No fireworks or big revelations.

What comes into focus is me. Like those three-dimensional puzzles where the image pops in fully-formed when you soften your gaze: It’s the “me” that has been there all along. The me who hangs out in that timeless space where everything feels sparkly, uncomplicated, and clear.

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Griffith University Introduction

About Griffith University
Griffith University is one of Australia’s most progressive and dynamic tertiary institutions. With campuses in Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast, academically and geographically, there is no better place to study. Griffith University has five campuses in the Brisbane-Gold Coast corridor, a total of some 27,000 students, and is acknowledged as one of Australia’s top universities. A wide range of degrees are offered, from biomedical science to international business, aviation to education, law to music, engineering to fine art, IT to psychology, the environment to the humanities, laser sciences to languages, and nursing to physiotherapy, to name just a few.

The Right Climate for Learning
Whether you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate student, you need to choose a university to suit your learning style. At Griffith University, we cater for the individual. Our students enjoy the best of big and small - considerable choice in degree offerings along with personalized attention. Griffith has earned a reputation as the here and now university, developing degrees that are strategically focused for our particular time and place - degrees that lead to the careers of today and tomorrow. You’ll find Griffith graduates making a difference in many spheres of life. They’re recognized by employers for their specialized knowledge and broad understanding, their innovation, their willingness to contribute new ideas, to continue learning, and most importantly, to succeed.

Teaching and Research to Benefit Australia
Griffith’s teaching and research has always focused on issues of prime importance to the Australian community. The university works with governments and industry to deliver solutions for many of the world’s most vexing problems. GU also plays a vital role in ensuring the communities in which its campuses are located become even better places to study, work, live and play.

Campus Sites
Gold Coast
Spread over 26 hectares in native bushland is the Gold Coast Campus. It’s a 10-minute drive from Southport and Helensvale, and 50 minutes on the South East Motorway to Brisbane. Buses connect to Southport and the train station at Helensvale.

Nathan
Nestled in the flora and fauna reserve of Toohey Forest are 175 hectares that are home to Nathan Campus. Nathan is a 10-minute drive from central Brisbane. Public transport connects the campus to Mt Gravatt, Garden City and the Brisbane CBD.

Mt Gravatt
Also adjoining Toohey Forest is Mt Gravatt Campus. It’s less than 15 minutes by car from the centre of Brisbane and within walking distance of the South East Busway. Buses also connect direct to the city.

Logan
Spread over 56 hectares, Logan Campus lies in the heart of Queensland’s third largest city. Buses link to the nearby Loganlea Railway Station and the campus is a five-minute drive to major shopping complexes.

South Bank - Queensland Conservatorium
The Queensland Conservatorium is at South Bank - a 10-minute walk from the Brisbane CBD. The campus is adjacent to the Queensland Art Gallery, State Library, Museum, Performing Arts Complex and the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre.

South Bank - Queensland College of Art
At the southern end of the South Bank Parklands is Griffith University’s Queensland College of Art. It’s a short walk to the Brisbane River, and you can access the campus by public transport including train, bus and ferry.

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Filling out scholarship applications can be very frustrating and confusing. Every scholarship has different requirements and different deadlines. It is difficult enough to finish just one college application let alone fill out several scholarship applications.

But don’t worry! I have a few tips that will help you get through the process a lot smoother.

Read The Applications carefully

Every scholarship is different. Unfortunately no two applications have the same requirements. One application may ask for 1000 word essay while another one may ask for a 500 word essay. That’s why it is so important to read and get a full understanding of what is required before you submit your application. Otherwise it will be discarded and you would have wasted precious time.

Prepare, prepare, prepare.

Have you ever heard the statement “proper preparation prevents poor performance”? The 5 P’s. This could not be further from the truth. You see, if you are smart, and I know you are, you will be applying for several scholarships in the hope of possibly going to school absolutely free. You don’t want to wait until the last minute and throw together an essay or personal statement. Prepare in advance. Practice your personal statement. I would recommend you start doing scholarship research and start writing the rough draft of your personal statement 6 months before the deadline. Take time out a few times a week to work on it. This is very important stuff. These companies look at thousands of applications a day. You want to make sure yours stands out.

Work within the space you are given

By this I mean do not use continuation sheets on your scholarship applications. They give you specific requirements for a reason. If they say 1000 words keep it at 1000 words. This is why it is so important to prepare. List only what is important for that particular application. If you have extra space after you do that then you can add in some extra stuff.

Give them what they want

Always give the provider of the scholarship exactly what they are asking for. If they are looking for someone with leadership skills then give them an example of your leadership skills. If they want someone with excellent writing skills then show that to them in your application. Use your personality traits to your advantage.

Explain why you want to study a particular subject

Many mess up on this step. They fail to give a logical reason why they want to study a particular subject. There has to be a reason why you chose your major of choice. Relay this in your application.

Proofread

Before you mail off your application make sure you proofread it. Have someone else proofread it as well. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can catch something you might not. Make sure you are getting your message across very clear. If it passes the 2 proofreads mail it off and believe for the best.

Finding money for college can be a very daunting and tedious task. For more articles, tips and information on scholarships and grants for college visit How To Get Free Money For College

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