"I wonder what my next thought is going to be" is a simple yet powerful way to clear my mind, I'm learning that compulsive thoughts are toxic, a great example is with food, when those automatic thoughts come in my mouth starts to water & I can feel my physiology changing, it spirals out of control & the only choice appears to be conceding to the food urge to rid my body of the anxiety it just created, & the cycle begins, whenever I use this tool the results are profound, thanks Greg & Eckhart :)
Thanks for your comment. It maybe less than a second, but that "gap" is a starting point. Any interruption in the stream of unconscious thought is positive. If you keep growing in presence power that gap will grow, but more importantly, your thoughts will be less charged. Your thoughts will be less draining and more creative. Keep practicing!
@GregLarsen - thx for the feedback, in this example the consumption of the food invariably creates a "mind gap" relieving the anxiety created by the compulsive thoughts about food ... it's fascinating that everything starts with a thought affecting the way we feel on a cellular level ... yet the ability to be aware that it's "just a thought" & "nothing more" gives us control over our actions & life ... profound is an understatement!! We are not our thoughts!! regards, David from Australia :)
Thanks for your great questions. The focus of this exercise is not thinking, thought, or the question and who might be asking it. The focus is on the space of no thought, or the "gap," that occurs between the end of the questions and when thought rushes back in. You know that YOU are the one looking when you perceive the world from that space of no thought awareness. All the best, Greg
@destiny6666 Yes, we are not our thoughts is a deep, deep insight. And as we withdraw energy from those thoughts then we take back control. But those thoughts usually have many years of momentum behind them - so know that this is a process and keep focus on the practice and not the results. Take care, Greg
@destiny6666 You are so welcome and glad to hear this practice helps you. Food is my biggest challenge and I know that exact feeling - and then eating to alleviate the anxiety. Eckhart has suggested taking three, deep conscious breaths whenever that feeling comes up. Hope that helps!
@hatton314 If you try out the exercise you will notice a gap in your thoughts, between the question you ask and the mind's reply. That gap is the focus of this exercise, not the thoughts that come before or after. Try it out and let me know what your experience is! Thanks for the comment.
Since the thinking thinks it is you doing what ever you are doing. How do you know it is not the thinking (or thought) that is looking? How do you know YOU are the one looking. How do you know it is not the thinking that is asking the question about what thought will be next?
Amazing wisdom! A few years ago I had a profound awakening after reading the power of now. I was so moved by that book that I wrote a song inspired by the book called "All Things Subside". It's on my channel if you want to check it out.
