The Power of Thoughts

Mindfulness is focused greatly on awareness and as part of the learning process it’s important to understand the basic functioning of your own thoughts in order to understand why you think the way you do. When you come to realise that your thoughts are not real it can greatly enhance life experience, increase happiness and help to avoid patterns of rumination.

If I can begin by introducing the concept that the mind and brain identify as separate entities which cross function for optimal performance. The brain could be identified as the visible, tangible part of the human body, which acts as the bodies command central. Its job is to send out signals to keep the body functioning and safe at all times.

The mind may be identified as the invisible thought and belief system where feelings and imagination are centred. This can be identifiable throughout the whole body, perhaps the core of who you are or the soul.

Now if we can come to understand those both produce thoughts of their own and often cross over and interlink with each other to produce outcomes. The only problem we have is that they are both on different agendas.

The brain is constantly looking to protect us, its sole purpose in life is to keep the body functioning. Therefore it’s always looking to identify danger, sending out impulsive thoughts to check if there is anything it should be concerned about. If you can imagine it as a small child reaching out to its parent to check everything’s ok, am I safe? Is this ok? Do I need to do anything?

In the primitive world this was incredibly useful as we needed to be constantly alert, ready for danger and ready for response. However, as we have evolved the need for this primitive instinct is less productive. Of course we still require it, there is danger in the world and we do need to be alert and ready to respond but not every time it sends out a signal.

This is where the mind comes in. The mind is built up of who we are and what we believe, our thoughts, imagination and creation centre. Our role here is to liaise with the outer world, create experience and generate thoughts, feelings and emotions to fully absorb ourselves into this worldly experience. The mind wants us to be fulfilled, happy and content.

Now the problem we have is that we get mixed up about where our thoughts are coming from. Thoughts are constantly created, they may stem from the brain which is normally on a negative agenda, remember brain is searching for a problem.

Then mind has two choices it can either identify the problem, signal to recognise it as a real problem at which point brain kicks into action ready to release fight or flight and create a physical reaction to protect the body. Alternatively the mind can dispel the thought and reassure brain, no its ok don’t worry this isn’t a threat, we are safe.

Thoughts without awareness become destruction. When we are not aware of the two operating separately this is how we can begin to snowball into negative thought patterns.

Just imagine for a moment you’re walking down the street and see your friend, you wave at them and shout hello. But they completely ignore you. You had eye contact, you were sure they saw you. Brain automatically begins signalling thoughts; why did that happen? Is there a problem? Do we need to respond? At this point your mind can either choose to be a voice of reason or a contributor which can lead the situation in two directions.

Contributing mind will begin searching for reasons, why did they ignore me? Maybe I upset them? When did I last see them? Why are they angry with me? Contribution and expansion on the negative thoughts relays back to brain which begins signalling the body. Yes we have identified a threat. Brain then jumps into action releasing hormones into the body. You may get a lump in your throat, feel nauseous and shaky.

The mind then responds to brains signals and wanders even further by generating emotions and more thoughts. That’s so mean, why would they just ignore me, I feel so sad, so angry, How dare they? These emotions could trigger physical symptoms such as tears, discomfort and agitation possibly leading into action. You may contact your friend to express how they have made you feel, you may then get into an argument, shouting at each other and have a disagreement, hanging up the phone. Now we have a problem.

Now if we look at the thoughts in a different way you can see how it could alter the outcome.

Just imagine for a moment you’re walking down the street and see your friend, you wave at them and shout hello. But they completely ignore you. You had eye contact, you were sure they saw you. Brain automatically begins signalling thoughts why did that happen? Is there a problem? Do we need to respond? Reasoning mind stops brain in its tracks. It’s ok, maybe they didn’t see me. I’ll give them a call to check they are ok. No problem.

When we engage too often with our primitive brain and allow it to consume our minds we lose all control of self regulation. Thoughts love thoughts; they cling onto each other, snowballing, leading the brain and mind into a path of self destruction, creating problems where they may not actually exist.

The Buddha gave an inspiring parable about thoughts and destruction “If someone shot you with an arrow, you have an arrow stuck in your body and before you remove it you’re trying to figure out where it came from, who shot it, why they shot it and how they did it. Our main concern should be to remove the arrow instead of trying to find out how it all started.”

Instead of focusing on why you are experiencing a negative thought it’s far more useful for us to dispel the initial thought to prevent destruction and rumination. Then if for any reason it’s appropriate or necessary to identify reasoning from the source.

When you begin to understand your thoughts are not real, its opens up a space within the mind to insert reasoning, prevention of automatic judgement and to act from a point of wisdom rather than primitive functioning. Helping you to dispel negative rumination and enhance positive life experience, ultimately resulting in a happier, healthier you.

I hope you have enjoyed this article. If you’re interested in finding out more about the brain and its complex nature sign up to our mailing list for the latest updates.