Calm and Quiet
Noise echoes relentlessly through modern lives. There is the noise of machines, multitudes of people, and the “noise” of endless communication in a multitude of forms (text, email, voicemail, paging, pinging, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.). However, in my experience, the worst “noise” is the noise of my own thoughts.
Thought is a wonderful slave but, an awful master. Although it’s only a representation of reality, we treat it as if it were true. We treat our own thoughts as Truth, and don’t question them. We treat our “selves” as if they’re entirely composed of thoughts and don’t question that assumption. We let our thoughts dictate how we feel, and they are often the source of terrible suffering. Has anyone ever suggested that you question your own thoughts? That they might not be true? That they might create suffering?
Before you get another day older, start asking yourself some questions:
- Am I my thoughts? If so, then who or what is aware of thought arising?
- Are my thoughts true? How do I know?
- Are my emotions based on the truth or on partial or total falsehoods composed of false thoughts?
- Do I want to live my life in the cacophonous drama of false thoughts and the false feelings they create?
Truth is your greatest ally. If your thoughts are false, stop listening. If they produce unnecessary emotional turmoil, stop believing them. Find a way to move to internal calm and quiet (meditation helps!). It’s worth the effort.
May all beings ‘wake up’ in this lifetime: it’s possible!