I find it challenging to practice “I’m aware of the thought that says. . . .” and forget it most of the times. And it’s fascinating that every single time I remember it – it’s feels like freedom. . . and I notice the thought is gone all of a sudden.
Nanou, I don’t understand your question, and I want to. So please explain. What I was saying is that I forget to say to myself “I’m aware of the thought that says. . .” instead of “I’m thinking. . . ”
And I see that if I’m not analysing my thinking at all I might be more relaxed.
I love this concept. I will admit I have had a pretty intense week since our last meeting as I am preparing to retire in a couple of days. I didn’t get to the homework until tonight.
just reading the assignment, I felt space. Space between the thinking mind as me and the possibility of the witness to gain more strength.
One thing I did notice this week for the first time aware that something was different. I was walking into the office and there I was – just a body moving and carrying my work bag placing it down, moving from the next thing to the next without thought. It felt so easy and graceful. I imagine that working with thoughts that I am aware of would have a similar sensation.
It also reminds me of the old saying “I am therefore I think”. I think I think I think….AGH!!! So heavy and stressful!! I am aware I am aware I am aware feels so free and allowing of reality. I think is like struggling with reality and trying to control and manipulate everything around me.
The philosopher Descartes said: “Cogito, ergo sum” (best translated as: “I think, therefor I am”).
In ‘The Power of Now’, Eckhart Tolle wrote: “The philosopher Descartes believed he had found the most fundamental truth when he made his famous statement: “I think, therefore I am.” He had, in fact, given expression to the most basic error: to equate thinking with Being and identity with thinking. The compulsive thinker, which means almost everyone, lives in a state of apparent separateness, in an insanely complex world of continuous problems and conflict, a world that reflects the ever-increasing fragmentation of the mind.”
I love that you have had the experience of yourself as the witness, seeing a body moving <3
I have been playing with this and have found so much space around my thoughts. A really nice side effect has been sleep. I’ve been having insomnia the last few months and the last few weeks it’s gotten a lot better but this week has been really nice. As i’m falling asleep I’m noticing my mind racing and I say to myself “I am the awareness that is noticing the thought.” “I am the awareness that is noticing this feeling” and then I try to feel into that. Or I go in layers “I am the awareness that is aware that I am trying to be aware.” I get a little lost sometimes but as I get lost I feel free and relaxed and drift off to sleep! It’s been so nice.
Wow, Rachael! So cool that you get to experience such a direct effect of creating space around your thoughts. I love how you play with it, and get a hang of its endlessness <3
9 Comments
Helga Birgisdóttir · October 26, 2022 at 7:04 pm
I find it challenging to practice “I’m aware of the thought that says. . . .” and forget it most of the times. And it’s fascinating that every single time I remember it – it’s feels like freedom. . . and I notice the thought is gone all of a sudden.
Nanou Anne · October 27, 2022 at 9:18 pm
just to have a look and without judgement: what is the benefit of forgetting the practice?
Helga Birgisdóttir · October 28, 2022 at 1:23 am
Nanou, I don’t understand your question, and I want to. So please explain. What I was saying is that I forget to say to myself “I’m aware of the thought that says. . .” instead of “I’m thinking. . . ”
And I see that if I’m not analysing my thinking at all I might be more relaxed.
marijketops · October 28, 2022 at 5:48 pm
I believe Nanou Anne says: What is the benefit of forgetting (to say to yourself “I’m aware of the thought that says…” instead of “I’m thinking…”)?
Nanou Anne · October 28, 2022 at 6:08 pm
yes indeed dear Marijke, thank you.
Kim Kaufman · October 28, 2022 at 12:09 am
I love this concept. I will admit I have had a pretty intense week since our last meeting as I am preparing to retire in a couple of days. I didn’t get to the homework until tonight.
just reading the assignment, I felt space. Space between the thinking mind as me and the possibility of the witness to gain more strength.
One thing I did notice this week for the first time aware that something was different. I was walking into the office and there I was – just a body moving and carrying my work bag placing it down, moving from the next thing to the next without thought. It felt so easy and graceful. I imagine that working with thoughts that I am aware of would have a similar sensation.
It also reminds me of the old saying “I am therefore I think”. I think I think I think….AGH!!! So heavy and stressful!! I am aware I am aware I am aware feels so free and allowing of reality. I think is like struggling with reality and trying to control and manipulate everything around me.
marijketops · October 28, 2022 at 5:55 pm
The philosopher Descartes said: “Cogito, ergo sum” (best translated as: “I think, therefor I am”).
In ‘The Power of Now’, Eckhart Tolle wrote: “The philosopher Descartes believed he had found the most fundamental truth when he made his famous statement: “I think, therefore I am.” He had, in fact, given expression to the most basic error: to equate thinking with Being and identity with thinking. The compulsive thinker, which means almost everyone, lives in a state of apparent separateness, in an insanely complex world of continuous problems and conflict, a world that reflects the ever-increasing fragmentation of the mind.”
I love that you have had the experience of yourself as the witness, seeing a body moving <3
Rachael Gottesman · October 30, 2022 at 2:02 am
I have been playing with this and have found so much space around my thoughts. A really nice side effect has been sleep. I’ve been having insomnia the last few months and the last few weeks it’s gotten a lot better but this week has been really nice. As i’m falling asleep I’m noticing my mind racing and I say to myself “I am the awareness that is noticing the thought.” “I am the awareness that is noticing this feeling” and then I try to feel into that. Or I go in layers “I am the awareness that is aware that I am trying to be aware.” I get a little lost sometimes but as I get lost I feel free and relaxed and drift off to sleep! It’s been so nice.
marijketops · November 2, 2022 at 8:23 pm
Wow, Rachael! So cool that you get to experience such a direct effect of creating space around your thoughts. I love how you play with it, and get a hang of its endlessness <3