What can one do with a mind when its misbehaving? I’ve come to realize that the mind has a very specific process. For one thing it almost always follows a series of steps you can count on to be the same every time. For example the minds job is prove things out like a math professor solving an equation. Let us say for example you’re upset with Joe because he didn’t do what he said he would.

Now even though you don’t have all of the facts about why Joe didn’t do what he said he would the mind would take “Joe didn’t do what he said he would” and start giving all kinds of scenarios and stories about how this is true and how he’s really unreliable even if he’s been reliable in the past.

What’s actually occurring here is the mind is going to war with Joe and then it turns on you for going to war with Joe. Now remember that all of this is occurring in the mind “none of its real at this point”. When it does turn on you its often very difficult to defend yourself against the thoughts it will produce, prove and justify.

At this point you’re stuck in a manhole in the middle of a mental war zone.

Most of us usually turn to alcohol or drugs to stop the thinking or we simply join the ranks of the extremely depressed. We believe that there’s nothing that can be done about it, nothing will work but before we get to that we try everything we can like drugs, alcohol and some even turn to God “not that that’s a bad thing”.

This is perhaps the path most people take to becoming drug or alcohol addicts. They believe everything the mind throws at them whether its true or false.

What worked for me…

1. Step back for a moment and watch your thoughts, just notice them. (I learned about that mind manager trick here)

2. I figured out how to question my thoughts. (I learned that technique from this Gem.)

3. And lastly. I began to practice watching and questioning my thoughts on everything that cameup.

And finally

Could you simply allow the mind to be as it is in the moment? Simply give yourself permission to allow the mind to deliver as many thoughts as it needs to and while its doing so either a. question those thoughts or b. watch those thoughts like watching a movie.

Much Love,

Brendan