A lot can be said about the mind. In fact we people consider ourselves superior because of our mind and the fact that we are able to think. But is this really true? Are we acting in line with our true nature? Our ability to think did bring us science, technology, medicine and much more and created the world we are living in as we speak. However, there is a part of me that feels we are getting astray. We focus on details (calling it specialism) but tend to forget everything is related, connected to each other. In the end everything is one and the same.
Silence the mind
Feeling this unity is only possible once we silence our mind and reach our natural state of being. Eckhart Tolle describes this unity as intelligence and has a great quote on this topic.
The beginning of freedom is the realization you are not ‘the thinker’. The moment you start watching the thinker, a higher level of consciousness becomes activated. You then begin to realize there is a vast realm of intelligence beyond thought, that thought is only a tiny aspect of intelligence. You also realize that all the things that truly matter – beauty, love, creativity, joy, inner peace – arise from beyond the mind. You begin to awaken.
Eckhart Tolle
Although this quote resonates within me, it is easier said than done. Especially because my ego clings itself to my thoughts. Because my ego needs to believe my thoughts are real, as it is the basis for it’s existence. Initiating instantly a lot of ‘suffering’.
Improving my mental health
In a previous blog ‘Improving my health‘ I mentioned that I didn’t know my body and it’s functioning at all and decided to take full responsibility for my health again. At that moment I focused on my diet and exercise (which I still consider important!) not accountable yet that my mind impacts my health as well. I use the word accountable because I was partly aware of it, already doing yoga and meditation occasionally. But I was still in the misconception that I was the thinker. Realizing I am not makes me accountable from now on. I can no longer hide behind my own ignorance.
Additional daily routine
Silencing my mind is now one of my additional daily routines. Read my blog daily routine: my favorite go-to-bed-drink to understand the importance of one or more daily routine(s). On a daily basis in whatever situation I end up I try to grasp ‘my’ thoughts and just realize I’m not the thinker and give myself just 2 seconds to not respond. Nothing, just utter silence. Or another routine to silence my mind. Just see or recognize the beauty in nature; a flower, a sunset, a soft breeze, a beam of sunlight on my skin or a bird singing. The purpose of this daily routine: silence the mind and (re)-connect with my natural state of being again. Because that’s what this journey is all about; recognizing and re-connecting to my natural state.
In some of the books I have read on this topic by Eckhart Tolle (A new earth) and Alan Watts (The Book; on the taboo against knowing who you are) getting aware of my thoughts will evoke humor. And I am always open to some additional humor in my life. So bring it on!
♥, Cherryl