Here’s a tip for how to stop being a slave to your thoughts

Thinking is no big deal. We all know how to do that, right?

I mean, who would think about thinking? 

Or more accurately, become aware of it?

But developing a capacity to be aware of our thoughts can feel like a true superpower. 

The awareness highlights the separation between ourselves and our thoughts so we can actively experience the fact that we’re NOT our thoughts.

When you get the hang of it, it’s actually extremely liberating, because most of us aren't even aware that we identify with our thoughts. and it distracts us from being in the present and living our lives fully. 

For years I would walk around thinking that I AM my thoughts (and to be honest, it can still happen from time to time!). 

I didn't even know that I was identifying with them until I started practicing mindfulness daily. 

I think I mentioned before that my practice includes being with my body and mind with an open awareness and attending to what arises moment by moment, letting my awareness wander between sensations, feelings and thoughts.

And while I do this, I note the sensations as: “sensing, feeling or thinking”. Then I move on to the next experience without getting overly involved.

I’ve added one more thing that’s particularly helpful in separating my thoughts from my identity, and that’s noting what kind of thoughts arise. Not the content, but more like the category. 

Different kinds of thoughts that I notice tend to come up a lot: worrying, rehashing, planning, projecting, analyzing.

What does your mind tend to do when allowed to roam free?

It’s such a powerful exercise - let me know how it goes. 💜