“Examination is the first step: becoming alert to what passes through your mind. And there is constant traffic — so many thoughts, so many desires, so many dreams are passing by. You have to be watchful; you have to examine each and everything that passes through the mind. Not a single thought should pass unawares, because that means you were asleep. Become more and more observant.” — An excerpt from
Osho’s teachings. He was and is a very wise man. Here are some helpful tips on how to be “the watchful observer” of your very own mind.
1. You are not your mind. You know that, right? The mind is a mere tool, an instrument to the functioning of the entire system of the body. Humans have about 65,000 thoughts a day, 90% of which thoughts of yesterday, repeat today. That’s a lot of clutter and noise to navigate through! Especially if they’re negative thought loops or patterns that just repeat- over and over and over again. You are a human being with thoughts, with the capacity to think, BUT you are not your mind. You are the thinker, but not which is being thunk.
2. Start to notice your patterns. So you’ve become aware of the fact that you’re not your mind—great. Now, check out the inner monologue your mind is having with itself. What are the things you think about most? Are they from the past? Are they worried on the future? What’s the noise in there that is preoccupying you from being fully present in the moment? Start to watch the stories your mind creates and WHY they even get created in the first place. Crack the code to your subconscious and unconscious thought patterns!
3. What are you thinking when you’re in conversation? This is the best way to tell how present you are with the person in front of you. Are you actually taking in what they’re saying—really listening? Or is your mind too busy conjuring up what to say as soon as this person in front of you closes their mouth? Is your mind spacing out and not receiving information that is being given right in front of you? Do you repeat the same story over and over again? Are you mindfully relaying of the language coming out of your mouth when you speak? Is your mind in conscious connection with your throat, tongue and lips? Or is your mouth enslaved to the inner workings of your mind? If your mind your dictating master or your humble servant?
4. Meditation. The ultimate technique on becoming friends with your mind and coaxing it to work with and for you versus against you is via
meditation. Your mind can either be your greatest enemy or your greatest companion. It might be scary at first — acknowledging the noise in your brain. It’s okay. Everyone goes through it. We all have to start somewhere. Find a teacher to show you how to do it properly. Yes you can learn how to do it on your own, DIY, I’m a huge fan and firm believer in creating your own experiences BUT there are some things you might miss out on that someone who has had experience and does it for a living. They might be able to teach you a thing or two.
But remember, the #1 Guru is YOU.
5. Read up on it. Check out this
link on the brain. It’s fascinating.
6. Honor and Respect. Your mind does so much for you. Take care of it. Wash it, clean in, purge it of all damaging and hurtful thoughts. Feed it nutritious food, water its soil, give your mind sunlight, love, care, attention and care. The more you respect your mind, the more it will serve you to it’s highest degree and potential. Your brain, along with your spine facilitate for the workings of you entire body. Your brain and nervous system communicate with one another so you can do things like read, walk, talk, listen to music, eat food, sleep, wake up, function, etc etc. Treat your mind with honor and respect.
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About Chloe Park
Chloe Park is an Artist, Holistic Healing Practitioner, Spiritual Counselor, Life Mentor, Yoga and Meditation Instructor. Most currently based on the island of Bali, Indonesia she is now in the midst of traveling the Earth to share her message: unconditional love, self-healing and awakening. She uses the medium of writing, holistic healing, craniosacral therapy, yoga and meditation to help all those along the Path to find harmony with mind, body and spirit. Receiving the blessings from Baba Ram Dass, Ammachi and Dr. Paul Muller Ortega she is devoted to facilitating the space for Healing, Love and Truth. Her intention with her writing is to offer Q&A for all those who are engaged in the dialogue. Chloe also writes for Elephant Journal, Yahoo Shine! and Organic Soul. To stay connected with her current projects, retreats, teachings and traveling schedule, find her on
Facebook or
visit her website . Sessions with Chloe are also available via Skype. May we all wake up together.
