Happy Independence Day. Today as we celebrate our country’s independence from the British rule, I want us to reflect on our own habits and patterns of thought.
While we try to become free from external people, relationships and things – how far are we successful in freeing ourselves from our thoughts, emotions and actions? We have become prisoners of our own patterns of thinking. So, when you want to change for the better, your body and mind resist that change.
You know that it is good for you to go for a walk or run, eat less, forgo foods that are absolutely not doing you any good, abstain from alcohol or smoking or avoid too much social media or Netflix – But you are a prisoner of the patterns that you have developed and gotten addicted to it – and when you try to free yourself – the body and mind protest – they say “no, no – don’t change. Change is uncomfortable. Let us be as we are.” And when you protest or try to change – your body double protests- You get headaches, stomach aches, sweating, withdrawal systems and all the while your mind tries different ways to make you come back from this foolishness of trying to improve your life.
It threatens you – “Are you foolish to go for a run? You are not used to running. You might fall and break your ankle.”
It cajoles you – “I agree we must stop eating sweets. But today is Independence Day. Today let us have kheer and ice cream. From tomorrow you can stop eating sweets.”
It makes fun of you. “If you stop drinking, you will become such a sombre serious person. How silly! Can you do it? Is it worth losing such a fun life for your health? Just drink and be merry!”
It will also give you fake news. “That person stopped smoking and drinking last year and they died. This person had no bad habits. Total vegan. But they died due to a heart attack. So why bother curbing your meat eating habits.” Anything. Anything that will keep you comfortable and stay as you are and not change.
But like the freedom movement, if you want change, you have to fight. You have to take risks. You have to challenge yourself. You have to do something more than what you are already doing. If whatever you are doing now is not making you happy, you have to step up. Do something different. Do something intense.
People might not like your change. Because that reminds them of their own unwillingness to change. Why others? You might become doubtful of what you are doing. But you must persist. You have to listen to that feeble voice inside you telling you that you have to step up and act. You must look within to listen to this voice. Because this voice can get lost in the cacophony of your emotions and thought patterns. When you strengthen this voice by observing yourself and listening to your sensations, your emotions and your thoughts – differentiating between meaningless patterns and constructive thoughts – you know what is right for you. You can then follow this voice and build that courage to do what’s good for you as a human being to live a meaningful life.
You may click on the audio link below to do a guided meditation practice if you like.
You might also want to read a related post Mindfulness and the sly mind.
Bell The Mind 