Our minds are always active.
Thinking is its function.
But when we don't recognize thoughts and beliefs as simply functions of the mind,
We fall into the trap of believing it all,
Causing us to suffer.
What would life be like for us if we didn't believe every thought we had?
Let's explore.
Begin by finding a comfortable seated position.
Allow your eyes to close or rest half open in a slight downward gaze and begin to rest in the present moment.
Scanning the body from head to toe,
Releasing any obvious tension,
And taking three deep breaths and then allowing the breath to be natural.
Noticing how the body breathes itself.
Noticing how the breath changes.
Sometimes it's short.
Sometimes it's deep.
And without even needing control over it,
Noticing how the body breathes itself.
If you're finding it difficult to not control the breath,
Consider bringing your awareness to the pause at the end of the in-breath and out-breath.
And like a cat waiting for a mouse to come out of the hole,
And patiently waiting and noticing when the body breathes in or out as the body naturally will.
Who is the one that is breathing?
The body breathing itself.
After a while,
You might notice that you've gotten used to it.
After a while,
You might notice that you've gotten lost in thought.
Consider softly naming the content of your thoughts to yourself.
Judging,
Planning,
Worrying,
Or simply thinking.
Then return your attention to the breath.
Noticing how the mind naturally thinks.
Who is the one that is thinking?
The mind thinking itself.
The body breathes.
The mind thinks.
Simply functions of the body and mind.
Mind.
Now bringing attention to any limiting beliefs that may be present today.
Any judgmental beliefs about yourself.
Like,
I'm not good enough.
I'm doing this wrong.
I'm unworthy of love.
Noticing what it feels like to hold this belief.
What it feels like in the body.
Recognizing this belief is a product of the mind,
Just like a thought.
There's no need to be angry at the mind.
Recognizing that beliefs like this are the mind's way of protecting itself.
Our core beliefs are often rooted in fear.
Fear of being left out.
Fear of not getting what we need.
And saying to this part of yourself,
Thank you for being here.
I know you came to protect me,
But I'm okay.
I don't need you.
The mind creating beliefs.
Now asking yourself,
Is it possible that this belief is real but not true?
Real in that it is happening.
You are thinking it.
But is it possible that it's not true?
The mind thinks,
But we don't have to follow the thoughts.
The mind has beliefs,
But we don't have to hold them.
Who would you be if you didn't have these beliefs?
Who would you be if you didn't hold this belief?
And telling yourself,
I am safe.
I am safe.
I am enough.
I am worthy of love.
And for the last couple of minutes,
Gently returning the attention to the breath.
Noticing anything that arises as simply products of the body and mind.
Real but not true.
In the words of Islamic scholar and poet Rumi,
Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open?
Move outside the tangle of fear thinking.
The entrance door to the sanctuary is inside you.
