Most of the thoughts that pass through my mind each day

are repetitive and frankly … BORING.

You think the thoughts you’re thinking because they are the easiest thoughts for you to think. The easiest thoughts for you to think are the ones you’ve thought most often.

This is going round in circles! Yes it is.

In short, you are thinking what you are thinking because that is what you have always thought.

I am not talking about problem-solving, nor am I talking about considering a particular issue or what is happening in a loved one’s life. That is deep, engaged, directed thinking. It’s quite hard work, but often satisfying and rewarding.

Automatic, habitual thoughts, arise effortlessly.

They are a habit, reflecting the best myelinated pathways in your brain.

They don’t mean anything about you, and they don’t mean anything about the world.

(Your brain lives in darkness, it never sees the light of day, and except for the gurgles and pulses of your body, it exists in a muffled near-silence.

Thoughts just tell you what you have always thought, and that’s it.

A positive mindset, making ourselves expect good things to happen to us, being optimistic, are keys to success, they say. Those who persist in negative thinking, or are easily perturbed by setbacks, will be entrepreneurial toast.

So then you try and control thoughts by thinking more of them.

This isn’t the way to find peace of mind. You’ll create a battle inside your mind of good thoughts vs bad thoughts.

Here’s some very good news:

– if you find yourself thinking negatively (or normally – it’s how we are designed),

– or making assumptions about people or expecting the worst,

– don’t worry,

– it doesn’t mean anything.

Try this on and see how it works out for you. I have a feeling that you will be laughing out loud at your thoughts. They do a great job of convincing you that ‘this time it’s different’ and therefore you must give them your attention. It most likely isn’t.

This is not the usual way to think about thinking. But I believe you will find it liberating and energising. That is my intention, anyway

This post was inspired by the following teachers and academics: Rupert Spira (non-duality), Jon Connelly, PHD, MSW, LCSW (founder, The Institute for Rapid Resolution Therapy, Inc.), Lisa Feldman Barrett (Neuroscientist, psychologist and author).