Witnessing your Thoughts

Image by Artem Chernyshevych

Oh, those pesky thoughts! It is estimated that the average human has 70,000 thoughts per day.

Our minds are very busy places. Little wonder, then, that most of us think that are thoughts are us. We identify so strongly with out thoughts. Just think about it…

When we think angry thoughts, our bodies feel the anger.

When we feel fearful thoughts, or bodies feel fearful.

When we think loving thoughts, are bodies feel all warm and fuzzy.

But…

We are not our thoughts!

We are the ageless, timeless, eternal spirits who use thoughts to create, but we are not our thoughts.

Becoming the Witness of your Thoughts

So…in order to free ourselves of the stranglehold that our thoughts have over our true self—the spirit, the soul, the thinker—we need to separate ourselves from our thoughts. Only then will we be able to control our thoughts and not have our thoughts control us.

It’s called becoming the Witness, and here is a meditation technique that helps you to do it:

•Go to a room where you will not be disturbed for at least 20 minutes.

•Sit down in a comfortable char. Keep your spine straight.

•Close your eyes.

•Begin breathing slowly and deeply.

•Relax your muscles and clear your mind briefly, and then…

•Let your thoughts flow freely.

Here’s a good explanation, written by Chuck Gallozzi, that explains what to do next:

“Do not analyze them [your thoughts]. Above all, don't be judgmental. Merely observe and accept. If a negative thought arises, don't say to yourself, ‘I'm too negative. I need to change.’ Just observe; don't judge. But if you do start criticizing yourself, that's okay, too. Witness your self-criticism. Step back and observe, just like you're watching someone else. In fact, that's what you are doing. You are observing someone else because the thoughts are not you. The thoughts come and go. They fade away and change. But your True Self is changeless.”

Oh, you will find being a dispassionate witness or observer of your thoughts almost impossible at first. But keep at it. Start out doing 5 to 10 minute sessions of witnessing your thoughts, and then gradually extend that time to 20 to 30 minutes.

I have been assured that, in time, your thoughts will not have the power over you that they once did. You will be freed of your thoughts. You will control your thoughts and they will no longer control you.

I have to admit that I am such a slave to my thoughts that it’s pathetic. But I’m going to start this technique of witnessing my thoughts and see what happens. Won’t you join me? Try this technique and let me know what you think.