Start to Study

What to expect

The moment you sit down to study, everything else wants doing. This settles that: a few long, easy breaths, whatever else is calling left for later, then attention comes in from the room to the work in front of you and rests on its first small piece, and you begin. The lofi keeps playing for three more minutes, so you are already working when it ends.

How to listen:

• Sitting or lying down, with your work in front of you.
• Eyes low at first, open by the time it turns to the work.
• When your mind drifts later: one long, easy out-breath, and back to the piece.

About

Safety and aftercare. Nothing here asks you to hold your breath or push. When your mind drifts during the session, one long, easy out-breath, and back to the piece. Drifting is fine.

Credits. Dropping the pressure and simply starting to write is how Michael Singer tells of writing a paper as a student. Meeting a distraction kindly, with we’ll clip it later, is from Sumi Loundon Kim’s Meditation Handbook.

Written by Lucas + Twins. Voice: Jenna.

Transcript

Opening

The moment you sit down to study, everything else wants doing.

The messages. The snacks. The tidy desk.

The work waits, patient as ever.

One breath. One page.

One question. One return.

Here you are, with your work.

Let your eyes close, or lower.

Feel what is holding you up.

Part one: The busy mind settles

Notice the breath, moving by itself.

Let the out-breath be long.

Long and easy, out.

Notice how busy the mind is.

That is fine.

Let your shoulders soften down.

Feel the weight of your hands.

Part two: Left for now

Notice whatever comes up.

Give each one a nod.

This can wait.

It will keep.

Long and easy, out.

Part three: In from the room

Hear the room around you.

Feel what is within reach.

Open your eyes, softly.

Let them land on the work in front of you.

Part four: The first small piece

Find its first small piece.

Just one, small enough to start.

Rest a fingertip on it, or just your eyes.

Let your attention rest there.

When your mind drifts, one breath.

Long and easy, out.

And back to the piece.

Drifting is fine.

Coming back is the practice.

Now begin that first piece.

Music to study by

The voice stops, and the lofi plays on for three more minutes while you work.