Thought

Every conscious action in history has one common thread: the prerequisite of thought. Every event–triumph or defeat, development or regression–was preceded by someone’s thought: “I would like to live here.” “What would happen if I put these together?” “This is uncomfortable.” 

Such thoughts lifted humans to the top of the food chain; they are what set us apart from every other creature we know of. But as useful as they’ve been for survival, they can be equally dangerous for our well-being.

Thoughts themselves are not the problem. The problem arises when we fail to recognize them. When we are lost in thought, we give up the reins of our selves to the annals of our minds–we become identified with their contents. Wrongdoing, poor self-esteem, and egomania can result from such absorption.

When we recognize that we are thinking, however, we regain control. The goal of recognition is not to stop the thinking, but to accompany it. Resistance is not the antidote. We assert ourselves not by steering, but by observing.