I want to inform everyone that I am changing my relationship with my mind. We are still living together-- but we're not as codependent as we once were.
You see, my mind has a thinking problem! It began as a social thinker but soon it could not stop at one or two thoughts. Once it started thinking it couldn't control its thoughts. It started thinking the first thing in the morning and kept thinking all day long. It started thinking alone. It started hiding its thoughts. I am in a quandary because I can’t live with my mind-- and I can’t live without it!
But then I discovered that recovery is possible-- albeit not easy. I want to share with you how one can recover from this terrible condition.
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This little bit of levity actually depicts the human condition--which is seriously in trouble at this time. Let’s look at why this is true.
The mind evolved as a tool for the body to survive. The function of the mind is to keep the body alive and safe. It’s always looking around for danger because its job is to keep us safe and to avoid pain. It has performed this function very well.
But the problem now is that we have become identified with the mind. Identified with the mind we believe that it can perceive reality. And we mistakenly believe that it can make us happy. The mind has become like a cult leader that demands unquestioning obedience. It is a wonderful servant but a brutal master.
Let's look at how to become free from identification with mind and how to return the mind to the role of servant.
The key is to objectively observe mental activity: thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. That which is aware of the mind is not the mind itself. The observer cannot be observed.
Gradually, you will identify with the observer rather than with the mental activity. Observer becomes the subject and mind becomes the object.
When observing thoughts don't consider yourself to be the thinker, rather, imagine that thoughts arise just like sounds that you hear. When you hear sounds you typically receive them passively, you don’t believe that you are actively creating them.
Consider thoughts to be like a dog barking or a bird chirping. It's the nature of dogs to bark, it's the nature of birds to chirp and it's the nature of the mind to think.
It's very helpful to be grounded in body awareness. When deeply aware of the body we are less identified with mental activity.
If you can, try to be aware of your body as much as possible before trying to observe the mind. Then you will find less identification with mental activity.
Notice what hijacks your awareness. Notice which thoughts, emotions or desires grab your attention. Become aware of when that happens and then, without judgment, simply return to awareness of the body.
As you observe mental activity with clarity, nonattachment, and nonresistance, identity will gradually shift from the mind to the observer. This will free the mind from its “thinking addiction.”
You are then no longer identified with the mind. You can use the mind as a servant—and it’s no longer the cruel master that it once was. You are free!