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Thoughts are a natural part of having a brain. Just as your heart pumps blood, you mind creates thoughts. The goal of meditation is to notice those thoughts. So if you know you have too many thoughts you are doing it right.
We sit exactly because there's so much to do. But I know I will not be able to help anyone if I can't even help myself. I'll end up being just a burden for those I came to support. Throught practice you can gain the spaciousness and presence that will allow you to respond to difficult situations.
It's more important to create a sustainable daily habit than to sit for longer periods. I suggest starting with 2 to 5 minutes and then building it up. If that is too much maybe try 1 second at least 5 times a day.
Chances are that your practice is too tight. When we try to focus too hard the mind tends to have more energy and get agitated or dull. Try to relax and rejoice whenever you can come back to awareness.
Generally there's 2 things that happen as we progress on the path. Firstly there's less afflictive emotions in general. They can still pop up every now and then and cause a storm but in general there's less anger, fear, hate, etc. And the second is we become more compassionate and kind.
Take a break. Drink something warm. Do some excercise. Call a friend. When you feel more at ease, come back to practice.
As we explore our mind we will inevitably meet unwholesome parts of ourselves. We'll come face to face with our selfishness, jealousy, fear, etc. Compassion practice helps us build the capacity to meet all of these parts with warmth and care. These are necessary to heal.
Awareness. Are you aware of relaxing? Then you are meditating. Are you consumed by thoughts and sensations? You're not meditating. Do you know you're consumed by thoughts and sensations? You are meditating.