The nature of the mind

“Why can’t I control my thoughts? What’s wrong with me?”

Let me start by saying… same. I feel this. On a deep deep level.

But here’s the thing, babe: there’s nothing wrong with you. Sure, it might sound cliche or simply untrue, because you’re really struggling with this. But listen. This is how your mind is meant to work. This is the nature of the mind.

In Ayurveda, the brain and the mind are two different things. (Even though I put a picture of a brain right above this, but it was just cute okay?) The brain is our processing organ, created to organize and metabolize impressions from the outside world and act as the command center of our nervous system.

The mind, though? She’s breezy. Elusive. Mysterious. Not really even located in the brain itself. Yoga philosophy talks about the mind being somewhere around the head but not necessarily in it.

Why??? Well, it has to do with the belief in consciousness. Our living beingness is not limited to our physical bodies. No! Consciousness flows freely outside of ourselves, works in our sleeping state, reaches others through the ether when we’re not even trying, and performs miracles on a daily basis. The brain can only dream of having such incredible power.

So what’s up with the mind? Why is it so hard to control?

The nature of the mind is one of dynamism. Thoughts appear and pass through like water in a flowing stream, and just as quickly. What’s crazy, is that 99% of the thoughts we have daily are repeated. You’ve already had this thought before, you’re familiar with it. But not only that… a large majority of those repeated thoughts are thoughts that don’t even belong to us.

Think about the last time someone said something to you that stuck. Good or bad, it’s here with you now, following you around because your mind decided it was important to know for some reason. It could be total bananas insane conspiracy lies but it’s there!!! The mind loves thoughts, and it collects them like shiny trinkets. But your mind is not in control. YOU are. Your consciousness is. You just have to remember to tell it so.

Okay, okay, I hear you: it’s much easier said than done. None of us are perfect. That’s an impossible dream. Even the most masterful yogis have silly thoughts that come to visit. The difference though, between us and the yogis, is that they practice observing the thoughts rather than accepting them.

When your mind feels out of control, this exercise is helpful to practice. Say to yourself in your mind or out loud, “I am not this, I am not that. What am I?”

Use this and that as blank spaces for things you think.

“I am not disgusting, I am not perfect. What am I?”

“I am not a master, I am not an idiot. What am I?”

“I am not failing, I am not succeeding. What am I?”

Stay with me here. Instead of accepting any messages to the mind space at face value, you can start questioning them. This works better if you can find a moment of stillness to breathe with it.

The nature of the mind is fleeting. Thoughts will always pass. That’s why it is so important to not take them to heart. It is a lifelong practice, learning how to observe our thoughts. Don’t be so hard on yourself for doing your best. The more gentleness you have with yourself, the more peace you’ll be gifted with. Sure, thoughts will continue to visit, but you’ll have a much better understanding of how to manage them.

A decade ago I couldn’t imagine having this much control over my mind. When I was in high school, crippling panic attacks were frequent. My mind moved so quickly that it overwhelmed my system and I’d just shut down. Nothing seemed real anymore.

Yoga philosophy changed my life in so many ways, but primarily, it has given me a toolkit of energy management to use to my advantage.

The nature of the mind is one of seeking. When was the last time you felt powerful? Where were you, what were you doing, who were you with? We search for pleasure and try to avoid pain. This is the human experience. The sooner we can accept that, the easier life will become. Your existence is not meant to be an infinite healing journey. Consciousness exists in the form of you so it can experience itself through your super unique spirit. You are a gift. The world wants to receive your seeking. The mind seeks you.

Tell yourself it’s okay to be a human. We exist in form for only a short period of time. Nothing is too big or important enough to take your power away, but only if you recognize that. Awareness (especially of the self) is the first step to proper education and empowerment.

Seek and you will find. Use your mind to your advantage. Breath, meditation, and movement are the all-time best practices for increasing alignment and all of these things are free. Before you can make your money work for you, before you can make your relationships work for you… you gotta make your mind work for you.

My favorite affirmation is “Everything is working out best case scenario.” I say it out loud to myself every day, even if I don’t believe it in the moment. It is part of my process of rewiring my mind for increased happiness. You can try it too. The longer you practice, the better you will get.

The nature of the mind is to rush. Think about it: it’s all air and ether! Truly the most weightless and unattainable substances we can comprehend. When we practice slowing down, it strengthens our ability to observe the mind as it is without becoming identified with it.

Picture your mind as a river, and all the thoughts in your mind as the water flowing through it. Watch the river as it rushes past you, all these little thoughts just doing their thing as part of this entity that is not you. None of your thoughts are you. You are not your thoughts.

It’s embarrassing how many times I have said this to my clients meanwhile I also struggle with identifying with my thoughts. Maybe I should talk my own advice for a change! But, just know that these words are written for you from a loving friend who wants the best for you. There is always more time to be better. Everything really is working out best case scenario.

Remember that you are perfectly worthy, loved, protected, and supported every day because you have done the work to get to where you are. This is wonderful stuff. You are truly a gift to this world. Your anxiety is lying to you.

Thoughts become things. They really do. But don’t let that scare you if you’ve been struggling with negativity. When you are empowered to be aware of your thoughts, you actually get to choose which ones to manifest. That’s why practicing these things: breathwork, meditation, and movement are so important. You have to feel it to heal it.

Please trust that I’m not speaking out of my ass. I have lived this myself and I know it to be true. I only write what I know. And I can assure you, that the power you wish you had is already within you. It’s just waiting to be claimed.

You are the one in control.

Let me know how your practice goes.

Much love,