Understanding the true nature of thought can be one of the most valuable life changing experiences that a human being can have.

It certainly was for me.

When I talk about understanding the true nature of thought, what I'm really pointing to is what Syd Banks talked about; the idea of thought being neutral until we put focus energy and respect onto it, therefore giving it meaning.

It's really about understanding that it's not the specific thoughts that we think that are an issue or even important.

It's the fact that we recognise that we are able to think, but we understand the true nature of those thoughts are neutral and transient and will come and go all by themselves and we know there is nothing for us to do! 

You will often hear me say "I am either in my head or in my life". When I am in my life I am present and therefore have a quieter mind.

This isn’t even about not having too many thoughts or slowing down thoughts as such.

We are actually talking about being present: Not being in our intellect but rather, we have reached a level of knowing where we appreciate and understand that we have thoughts and yet they mean absolutely nothing about us.

We are unable to choose or control any thoughts that pop into our head in any given moment, but we can recognise that that's how thought works.

And so when we have thoughts that pop into our head at an inconvenient time, and these thoughts lead to feeling uncomfortable - when we explore and begin to understand The Three Principles I share with my members we begin to see that those thoughts are just thoughts. Nothing more and nothing less than a thought.

The more we understand and appreciate the true nature of them, the more we can allow them to come and go as they do naturally anyway, without holding onto them or suffering at the hands of our personal thinking.

Our personal thinking (or ego, intellect or whatever else you might want to call it) can really lead us astray. And the temptation to follow and make sense of it can feel strong. I want you to know and trust that all it takes is a change in thought - a new perspective - in order for that to change for you. 

It's actually simple and yet so many of us struggle with the simplicity of it all and attempt to ‘think’ our way to wellbeing.

Wellbeing isn’t at the end of a trail of thought or analysis. It is right here, right now, in the present moment.  

One of the easiest ways to actually to get present is to get really good at listening.

Not just listening in the traditional sense, but real, deep listening.

Listening to yourself, others, the world around you, from a place of curiosity and open mindedness.

Often, without intention, we listen from a place of judgement and an idea of what we ‘think’ we are experiencing rather than just being in the moment with our experience.

Something you could ask yourself today:
Am I listening without intention?
Am I listening without whole load of noise in my head of what I think or believe should be in the conversation.
Am I listening without thinking about what should come next?

If you are not present or deeply listening, then paying more attention to the above questions will really help you to get present without actually having to do anything at all.

And even better, in this place of presence comes such a quieter mind and less attachment to any idea that thoughts define us or our world.

A great way to explore this is to come along with us inside The Membership (come and catch the replay of the session with Dr Amy Johnson which inspired such a wonderful exploration this month), where there also additional sessions on getting present, focussed sessions on listening, and a wonderful safe place to explore the Three Principles with me in a safe and and supported way.