I found this excercise to stop the mind chatter, a thing I really need, not only while meditating but also all day long. But I disagree with some parts of it and I would like to hear your opinion, so I'll copy it here:

Set aside about 15 minutes for this exercise. Find a quiet place and get comfortable, sitting up is best so you don't fall asleep.
If you do fall asleep or fade out into a trance state of mind, when you notice just easily resume watching your thoughts.
Please turn off the radio and/or TV.
Relaxation music is not recommended during this exercise.The key is to allow your awareness to move inward to watch thoughts flowing through your mind. Music is an outside distraction.
Thoughts, in this context, include:

- sounds of birds singing outside your window and cars going by, a dripping faucet, or the hum of a heater, or a fan, peoples' voices;
- sensations in your body such as an itch, a slight pain, or even a slight headache.

Recommended time is approximate. A meditation timer with a very gentle tone is OK, but it is best to just trust your internal clock to let you know when it's time to open your eyes.
Allow yourself enough time to feel comfortable watching what is going on in your mind. The more alert you are the more you will notice.
Be perfectly innocent, like a child with a new toy; let go of expectations; see everything as brand new in each moment.

Count your thoughts.

Now you will count your thoughts for a couple of minutes. For example, if you notice the sound of a bird singing outside, count that as thought #1.
If you notice a sensation in your body, count that as thought #2.
If you have a thought like, Oh there's a bird singing, should I count that? Count that as thought #3.
Thought #4 might be, I wonder if 2 minutes has passed yet. Just notice it, let it go, and keep counting.
And so on, count as many thoughts as you notice.
Now gently close your eyes. Relax and just watch the thoughts moving through your mind.
Then easily, effortlessly begin to count each thought that comes into your awareness.
Keep alert during this exercise.

Continue this for about 2 minutes, then gently and easily open your eyes.

Now, I'm quite fine with all that but I disagree in this part:

Thoughts, in this context, include: - sounds of birds singing outside your window and cars going by, a dripping faucet, or the hum of a heater, or a fan, peoples' voices; - sensations in your body such as an itch, a slight pain, or even a slight headache.

And I disagree because: I live a block away from a plot of land that is used as a sporting field with a track for runners, bikers, mini football field etc. Which park is full of trees and therefore, birds. That start singing very early in the morning and don't stop till very late at night. If I were to count every single bird singing, I'm done. On the other side of my house, there's a highway, not so noisy but reasoning is the same for cars passing by.

I would agree with this though:

"If you have a thought like, Oh there's a bird singing, should I count that? Count that as thought #3."..blah blah blah. That is, if I'm carried away by a sound, not counting just because it is a sound.

Very sorry about the long-winded post but I'd like to know your opinion, if you agree or disagree with me, in which parts, etc.

Also if you have a better technique, please share :)

Quote source:

Quiet your busy mind chatter.

Many many thanks in advance!

BJ09