Thoughts on thoughts.

I have to write tonight, or I won't be able to sleep.
And I do love sleeping.
Sleeping refuels my body and my mind.
My body/mind combination is the only thing I really have control over.
Right? I have nothing to do with what happens externally.
I only have my responses to life... my thoughts and feelings about life.
My truth lies in my ability to observe my thoughts and feelings
NOT to be controlled by them.
There really is no other way.
Our thoughts must be the most powerful force in all of the universe.
They lead to our feelings, which is the second most powerful force.
The biggest idea is this:
you can control your thoughts and feelings and do amazing things,
OR they can control you... which usually brings awful stress and sadness.

I'd like to share a little more about this topic.
I'm reading a book by Deborah Fairfull...
This book is fantastic.
A very simple look at how to retrain your brain.
I believe in this so much.
What else can we do?

She says...

All pain is caused by resistance to what is.

Your mind is your most powerful tool in creating the life you want. When stressed or overwhelmed by circumstances, retraining your mind can allow you to remain peaceful, regardless of what is going on around you.

As you become comfortable with your feelings rather than overwhelmed by them, you will increase your capacity to be aware of your thoughts. In fact, thoughts and feelings are the same. A feeling occurs as a result of a thought- generally repeated thoughts. If you think repeatedly, "I love my life, I love my life," it is likely to be accompanied by a warm feeling of happiness in your body. Alternatively, if you repeatedly think, "I hate my life, I hate my life," you will probably feel sad, if not depressed.

Feelings and thoughts can fluctuate on a daily basis, depending on the external environment. However, if you learn to be in touch with your feelings and aware of your thoughts, you can learn to master your internal state- in many cases, regardless of external forces. When you are aware or able to develop the ability to observe your thoughts and feelings rather than becoming overwhelmed or driven by them, you will begin to live life in a conscious way. The story of Victor Frankl is an amazing example of mental resilience in extreme circumstances.

Victor Frankl was able to master his internal state no matter what was going on around him. He was kept prisoner for three years in World War II concentration camps. Where his parents and other close family members died. Victor survived by holding onto the love and image of his wife. The thought he held onto in almost unbearable conditions was: "Set me like a seal upon thy heart, love is as strong as death."

If you learn to observe your thoughts, like your feelings, without judgment, you will start to gain true mastery over your inner state. The first step in doing this is to separate yourself from your thoughts- you have thoughts, but are not the thought. This is the same concept as: you have feelings, but are not the feeling. Your true self is the stable, consistent observer of your thoughts and feelings. Living your life from your true self, rather than your fluctuating thoughts and feelings, is the key to happiness.



This way of thinking, these ideas could save us all if we put in effort to train ourselves.
I spend so much time training my body while running, or learning about things for my job or school- I think the least I can do is train my mind... it is really all I have.
I still have a long way to go with these sorts of concepts, but I will keep doing my best to move towards truth, and stop resisting what is.
I know, without any doubt, this is the only way.