The Thinking Mind - How to Free Your Own Mind - Week #4 of The Awakening Journey
The thinking mind. We touched briefly on this in our blog post about Being in the Now. This week we will talk about what the thinking mind is and isn't, what's important about it, and most importantly how to take ownership of it.
What is the Thinking Mind?
The thinking mind is powerful, it is important, and it has helped us evolve. It also keeps us trapped in our own prison of evolution. In that, it has taken over and we actually think we are our thoughts.
What I sometimes struggle with is “all of the things I need to do”. It’s kinda programmed in all of us, right? Getting things done, and “achieving” is the culture we live in. Business is almost a status symbol at this point.
Sometimes, I wake up looking at my calendar, and again just before going to bed, I will check it again. It’s good practice, right? So I can be ready for the day and stay on top of things.
What I started to notice though, is that I have a constant litany going on in my head of “what is next”. Not what is happening right Now.
In fact, after I typed this, I looked at the calendar & my thinking mind said “You have to leave in an hour and twenty minutes” and then it played a list of what needed to get done before I leave the house. Get ready, eat dinner, walk the dog, etc.
Once I got present and reflected, I noticed what was getting created: Anxiety. A low level, a quiet little hum of “I need to do more.”
Thinking keeps us from Being. Being is what makes us awaken more fully to ourselves, to our most authentic life, and to our purpose. Simply put, the thinking mind causes our problems.
“The greatest freedom is to be free of our own mind.” - Osho
Is the Thinking Mind who I am?
No, you aren't your thinking mind. We have a part of us, let's call it consciousness that exists outside of our minds. We can choose to think. Yet, for many of us, thinking happens involuntarily.
It controls us and goes on all.the.time.
A common example is to be thinking about your To-Do List; what you need to do next (like me). Or perhaps an interaction that happened earlier with a colleague, spouse, or child and that didn’t go quite the way you wanted.
We might ruminate about what we could’ve said or how wrong they were, or embarrassed we are, the list goes on and on.
Our minds create circular thinking, anxiety, and stress for so many people. Thinking keeps us locked up in the pain of the past or what we haven't yet done (future) and this is simply not our natural way of being.
The thing is, we can choose to think. Or not. It's not like breathing where we will pass out if we don't do it. (Though sometimes, when I am doing mindfulness practices, it does feel pretty excruciating to just sit with myself. Lol)
What's possible when I take back control of my thinking mind?
You can be present and grow your awakening process. As you awaken, life becomes more purposeful, you will feel more fulfilled, and abundance is everywhere.
“Stop thinking, and end all your problems.” - Lao Tsu
How to take back control of your thinking mind?
Making a mess is easy, right? It takes just a few minutes to tear stuff up - to get wrapped up in negative thought patterns. The clean-up on the other hand always takes longer. You need to be patient and gentle with yourself and learn to practice a bit of mindfulness.
We are always practicing something, so why shouldn't it be this?
My new mindfulness practice is to set aside time to leave my electronics somewhere away from me and just sit somewhere for 10 minutes, longer if I can manage it.
Listening to the sounds all around me. The cicadas, the water, and even the airplanes flying overhead.
I notice my breathing and just sit in stillness.
When I’m done with this, I’m usually more in control of my thinking mind. And, I’m then more creative and productive.
Instead of looking at my phone, checking my calendar, and thinking about my to-does, I take my time to get present, to calm my mind, to be in the now, and start creating from a place of inner peace and strength. Free of anxiety and full of clarity.
Here is your challenge:
A mindfulness practice is a great place to start to free your mind. Start with one mindfulness practice this week.
Here are a few examples.
When you wake up in the morning, just lay in bed & stare at the ceiling just noticing.
Keep a journal next to your bed & spend 5 minutes journaling when you wake up.
Stop. Stop throughout your day and pause to breathe and ask "what am I noticing right now?" (not thinking)
When eating, really stop to taste the food and savor it.
I’m excited to hear what comes up for you this week, even if it comes from your thinking mind! ;)
Next, we will talk about how to make conscious decisions that will impact your life. In the meanwhile remember: the present moment is where your best life happens!
With love and gratitude,
Darla