Looking around with an attentive eye it is easy to see the power of the mind in action. Whether reflecting upon the broader role of the mind in creating a skyscraper, roadway or bridge; leading innovations in technology, science, business, education or the arts; or the role it plays in our daily lives to help us learn, make decisions, interact and navigate life, it is clear that the human mind is powerful.
Upon waking to greet each day, our minds lead us (often without thinking) through our morning routine, get us to work, and in most cases become the focus of our work. Our interactions with ourselves, and others are often centered in the mind. Our workplaces buzz with the mind and although, we also have a heart, a body and a spirit through which we can perceive the moments of our lives, the mind is commonly the primary “radio channel” to which we attune. (Sometimes playing a song we like, often not.)
Everyone’s mind’s sends thoughts endlessly into our awareness. As you know, these thoughts can be very useful, are necessary and can accomplish great things, however left un-attended, they can also rob the quality from our lives. They also link directly to the emotions we then feel and vice versa, which can create positive emotion with positive thoughts and negative emotion with negative thoughts. (again visa versa)
One step further, as mind/body/spirit beings, they can also impact our body in a positive or negative way depending upon the thoughts we are thinking and feelings we are feeling. (For example, I can always tell when I’m thinking or feeling stress, not only because of the negative thoughts I notice that I am thinking, or the non positive feelings I am feeling but because my upper left shoulder becomes tense and my stomach jumpy.)
Perhaps none of this is new news to you, nor is it to me, however I find reminders useful because even when I remember, I still forget and cause myself perhaps unnecessary discomfort. If it is new news, you may be wondering 1) why bother thinking about “What you are thinking” and/or 2) how do I go about noticing or changing what I am thinking?
Well in answer to why bother, I can honestly say that the quality of my life has improved 100 fold as I’ve developed the skill to observe my thoughts, coexist with them, love myself regardless, and intentionally choose new thoughts when I realize that what’s buzzing through my mind is a downward spiral. Since developing this skill, which for me requires an ongoing practice, I feel better, I have more love in my life, I have more energy, enthusiasm and my creativity, imagination and hopefulness for the future is on an upward spiral. The “Law of Attraction” or something better, paying attention to my thoughts has changed my life.
In answer to 2) how do I go about it? Many practices such as meditation, breathing, mindfulness, journaling, energy and yoga exist to calm the mind, help us become more conscious of the thoughts we are thinking, and learn skills to intentionally generate new thoughts that feel better and better serve us. I have also found nutrition and body chemistry to be pivotal in what’s circling around (or happily not circling around in my mind.) Some of these practices also help to expand our awareness of how to consciously use our mind, bodies and spirits to intentionally create our lives rather than having our mind unconsciously choose for us.
Personally, I have found meditation, yoga and exercise indispensable as a foundation to keeping my mind clear. For some reason, keeping a journal has been harder for me, however talking with a close friend has remained a tool in my mind/body/emotion cleaning toolkit. I have also found some visionary teachers / authors that have helped me deepen my ability to lead my life from my “Divine Self” versus my “Distorted Self’ created by Patrick Ryan, Awakened Wisdom or “Higher Mind” versus “Local Mind”, Ego to Essence” by Barbara Marx Hubbard, both inspiring leaders to me in living a more conscious life. I have also found that working with a coach has helped me move forward on the “new habit express way” rather than getting caught in “thought traffic jams” that keep me from my life. But, most importantly, I have found my moment to moment attentiveness to how I’m feeling as a pointer to what I’m thinking and how I need to adjust as key to remaining awake and clear.
So, what ARE you thinking? What are you feeling? Do you see a connection? Is it time to pause and notice? Do you already know all of the above but have simply forgotten for the moment? Or is it time to commit to a daily practice and moment to moment mindfulness to be the conscious creator of a more peaceful, joyful life? Are you in the Co-Drivers seat of your life, or are you in the passenger seat while your un-watched mind is driving for you? Granted, there are many obstacles, and the world is full of stress but there are just as many opportunities and doorways to make a new choice right here, right now. What do you choose?
