The Benefits of Practicing Awareness of Your Thoughts
- Dilya Mavlanova
- March 3, 2021
- 10:48 am
- No Comments
“Thought is not reality; yet it is through Thought that our realities are created.” — Sydney Banks
When it comes to our thoughts, we, as a society, place a lot of value on our ability to think. From an early age, and throughout our lives, we are taught to think, analyse, decide, survive. Even in the matters of relationships and experiences, we are praised when we use common sense and logic. ‘Thinking’ has become a determinator of a personality.
When we start practicing Mindfulness, or Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, or start paying attention to our thoughts, we often begin to realise what a tremendous impact our thoughts are having on our physical state and emotional state. There has been a significant amount of research conducted over the years on the interconnectedness of thinking, our physical processes, and our emotional state.
As humans, we have a tendancy to label our thoughts, as either unhealthy or positive. And so, in response, we can try to manage our thoughts in one of two ways; by fighting against thinking and trying to stop the ongoing flow of thoughts; or, by propagating positive thinking to consciously activate a positive response in our physical body and emotional state.
Why fighting our thoughts will not help?
Becoming aware of the pervasive nature of thoughts can make some of us reactive to them. First, we combat them by trying to stop thinking, then by getting distracted, then by dismissing or engaging with thinking. These activities even further propel our cognitive processes and provide further fuel to our thinking.
There is a funny story (author unknown) that I really like –
Once a student of a great meditation Master wanted to learn how to meditate so she went up to the Master and asked him, “Please, teach me how to meditate.” The Master said, “Fine, go over there and sit down and close your eyes, but whatever you do, don’t think of a monkey.” The student thought, “Well, that’s easy enough, I can do that.” As soon as she sat down to meditate, she asked herself, “Now what was it the Master told me to do when I sat down for meditation? Oh that’s right; whatever I do don’t think of a monkey, so simple.” However as soon as she closed her eyes, all she could think about was monkeys, monkeys and more monkeys.”
This story shows how pervasive the mind is in our activities, and focused meditation just highlights that.
Pros and Pitfalls of Positive thinking
When we practice positive thinking, we are consciously rewiring our brain to only choose positive thoughts. In doing so, we are training our conditioned mind to stop searching for the negativity and threats. We are forcing ourselves out of our habitual negative self-talk, or overthinking, or catastrophic thinking.
However, there are some pitfalls to be aware of in cultivating positive thinking:
Goal-oriented. Positive thinking may become a goal-oriented activity – ‘Regardless what happens, I’ll find something to be happy about’. We may start walking around just noticing things that our mind has labelled as ‘good’. This searching for positivity may become yet another stressor, since life is not always filled with positive events and pleasant experiences. Throughout the course of life we will experience challenges, change and unexpected events. Positive thinking goal may put you even more under pressure to ‘be something’ and ‘to be in a certain way’.
Managing difficulties. When we face difficult events in our life or challenging situations a positive thinking mindset may suppress the natural flow of our emotions and release of the accumulated tension and stress. We may artificially search for distraction, insta-gratification, go into denial and emotional repression. In the long-term this may not be a sustainable approach to managing our thoughts.
Reduced empathy. Positive thinking mindset may also contribute to us sugar-coating our own life experiences, and/or those of our loved ones. Remember those moments when you were going through a difficulty and all you wanted for someone to be there for you, holding your hand and sharing the space. Unfortunately, if we are supporting someone with positivity on our own agenda, we could struggle to create that space of empathy. Our mind will be searching for ways to find silver-linings, or to find actions and problem-solve. Although, this behaviour is helpful in a setting when a person wants to act or find a perspective; in times difficulty this may be perceived as lack of empathy or understanding.
Kind act of becoming aware
‘Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny’
-Lao Tzu
The most effective way to address the endless stream of thoughts is by simply becoming aware of and be-friending your thoughts with kindness and non-judgement. Our thoughts are the results of our system wiring, our conditioning, our life experiences. Our thoughts are part of our existence. So, to make peace with them, what we could do is to start becoming aware of them in all situations. Thoughts that are distracting our focused activity, thoughts that are helping us to problem-solve, thoughts that are keeping us awake. We could start grouping them by themes (i.e. thoughts about work, relationship, past, future, dreams,etc.). Then take a moment to consider; what kind of thoughts are serving you? Which thoughts are true, and which are product of your environment? What thoughts are blocking you from progress and what thoughts are serving your purpose in life?
Kindness, attention and curiosity will allow you to be fully present in your life, and more aware of your own thinking patterns. In turn, this will allow you to choose whether to engage in those thoughts or not. By knowing your thoughts, you are gaining control over your mind, by getting control over your mind you are free to build the reality of your own.
