(Clearwisdom.net) I cannot achieve a tranquil mind during practice or when sending forth righteous thoughts. It is like what Master said,
"'Once I settle down, I'll think of everything, including odd thoughts and ideas.' It is like overturning rivers and seas with everything surfacing, and one cannot attain tranquility whatsoever." (Zhuan Falun)
Maybe some fellow practitioners have had similar experiences. I know that it is not easy to achieve a tranquil mind. It can only be achieved after long-time study of the Fa and cultivation of xinxing. However, we should not use it as an excuse by saying, "I haven't studied enough of the Fa. I will improve slowly." We should not lower the standard. Instead, we should always be strict with ourselves. I would like to share some of my own experiences on this topic.
When I send forth righteous thoughts, I always remind myself to "be tranquil." Once I realize that I have odd thoughts in my mind, I remind myself to "be tranquil" even though it only lasts for 20 or 30 seconds. I become tranquil for 20 seconds or 30 seconds. I keep reminding myself. I feel that at the moment when I enter tranquility, my right palm becomes numb. When I am deep in tranquility, my palm feels even more numb. Although I cannot see the energy with my eyes, at that moment I feel strong energy being sent out from my palm to eliminate the evil in other dimensions. The more tranquil I become, the more numb I feel, which I believe means stronger energy has been released and a better effect has been achieved. Therefore I keep reminding myself to "be tranquil" while sending forth righteous thoughts so as to achieve a better effect.
While meditating, there are overturning rivers and seas in my mind too. As in sending forth righteous thoughts, I keep reminding myself to "be tranquil" as well, to achieve a better effect. I think it is better to recite the Fa than to have all those odd ideas or to become absent-minded. So when I cannot achieve tranquility, I may recite Lunyu or poems from Hong Yin.