Winton Eliott
Controlling your thoughts is one of the most important skills you can learn in life. If you can’t control what you think, you can’t control your life.
And if you can’t control your thoughts, you are at the mercy of whatever random thoughts happen to pop into your head.
But how can you control your thoughts? Here are some tips:
Understand that you are not your thoughts – you are the one who is aware of them
It’s easy to get caught up in the constant stream of thoughts running through our minds. We may even mistakenly believe that we are our thoughts.
But the truth is, we are the ones who are aware of our thoughts.
Our thoughts come and go, but we remain constant observers. This doesn’t mean that our thoughts aren’t important.
They can give us important information about what’s going on around us and how we’re feeling. But it’s important to remember that they are just thoughts, not the whole picture.
And we always have the power to choose which thoughts we want to focus on.
When we remember that we are not our thoughts, we can begin to see them for what they are: transient mental events that don’t define us.
Instead, we can focus on what really matters: the present moment and our own true nature.
Learn to observe your thoughts without judging them
Many of us go through life on autopilot, reacting to the world around us without taking time to really process what we’re thinking and feeling.
As a result, we can often find ourselves in situations that don’t align with our values or goals.
Learning to observe our thoughts without judging them can help us to become more aware of our own patterns of thinking and behaving.
It can also help us to respond to the world in a more deliberate and intentional way.
The next time you find yourself in a challenging situation, take a moment to pause and observe your thoughts without judgment.
See if you can identify any patterns or tendencies that may be contributing to the situation.
With this new awareness, you’ll be better equipped to make choices that align with your goals and values.
Accept all thoughts, including the negative ones, as they arise
One of the most difficult things to do in life is to accept our thoughts, especially the negative ones.
We tend to judge ourselves harshly for having thoughts that are not “positive,” and this only leads to more suffering.
However, if we can learn to simply observe our thoughts as they arise, without judgment, we may find that they are not as powerful as we thought.
Our negative thoughts may lose their hold over us, and we can begin to see them for what they really are: just thoughts.
This does not mean that we should act on every thought that comes into our head, but it can help us to see them for what they are and let them go.
Don’t try to suppress or push away any thoughts
Dwelling negative thoughts can be tempting, especially when they’re constantly swirling around in your head.
But instead of trying to suppress or push them away, it’s important to acknowledge them.
Acknowledge them, and then let them go (get rid of negative thoughts).
This may seem like a difficult task, but it’s actually quite simple.
The next time a negative thought comes into your head, take a deep breath and say to yourself, “I see you, negative thought. But I’m not going to dwell on you. I’m going to let you go.”
It may take a bit of practice, but eventually, you’ll be able to let go of those negative thoughts more easily.
And when you’re not bogged down by negativity, you’ll be able to focus on the positive things in your life.
Let go of any attachment to the outcome of your thinking
Attachment to the outcome of our thinking can be a major source of suffering in our lives.
We may become attached to a particular way of thinking about ourselves, others, or the world and then hold on to that thought even when it no longer serves us.
This attachment can lead us to resist change, cling to outdated beliefs, and react with aversion or aggression when our cherished ideas are challenged.
When we let go of our attachment to the outcomes of our thinking, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and a more flexible relationship with our thoughts.
We can still hold onto our beliefs and opinions, but we no longer identify with them in the same way.
Instead, we see them as fluid and ever-changing, like the thoughts themselves.
This shift in perspective can lead to greater peace of mind and increased compassion for ourselves and others.
Practice mindfulness meditation to help increase your ability to control your thoughts
“What are you thinking about?” It’s a common question we ask each other, and one that often has a difficult answer.
Our thoughts are constantly changing, sometimes without our notice, and it can be hard to keep track of them all.
However, it’s important to be aware of our thoughts, as they can have a significant impact on our mood and behavior.
One way to increase our awareness of our thoughts is to practice mindfulness meditation.
Mindfulness meditation is a type of meditation that involves focusing your attention on the present moment.
This means letting go of distractions and focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
With regular practice, mindfulness meditation can help you to become more aware of your thoughts and learn to control them.
As a result, you may find it easier to stay calm and focused in challenging situations.
You may also be better able to manage stress and anxiety.
If you’re interested in trying mindfulness meditation, there are many resources available online or through apps like Headspace and Calm. give it a try!
By learning to observe your thoughts without judging them, you give yourself the space to accept all thoughts as they arise.
This can be a difficult practice, but with time and patience, it can lead to a greater sense of peace and freedom from the endless cycle of rumination and worry.
If you’re looking for more support in this area, mindfulness meditation can be a great way to increase your ability to control your thoughts.
With regular practice, you may find that you are able to let go of any attachment to the outcome of your thinking, and simply experience each moment as it is.
What has been your experience with observing your thoughts?
