Why We Shouldn't Take Our Thoughts So Seriously -- Mediation
I'm somebody who thinks about their thoughts a lot. Last night before bed, my brain was going wild, per usual -- I usually come across questions that I get the strong urge to google. So last night I literally googled "what is a thought". I mean, I essentially know what thoughts are, but I wanted to understand why & how they're a thing. So off to google I went and a video popped up. A TedTalk (I love these btw), all about my question. A doctor, named Henning Beck, perfectly explains the answer to my question and I loved it so much that I have to share if with you.
He basically compares computers & our brain the entire time. I find that we are so used to a fast-paced computer world that we expect our brains to be able to keep up with that. When they aren't as quick & accurate, we let ourselves feel like we're less valuable.
He talks about a lot, so I won't summarize the whole thing. But he explains that computers go through information differently than we can and vice versa. With the computer it's input, process, output. No matter what these machines use to process their info (algorithms, etc.), they will always follow that sequence with little to no mistakes in the end.
Our brains on the other hand are so different because we gather info, and we process it by thinking about what we just learned -- trying to understand it & make sense of it. There's no algorithm telling us what's right or wrong. It's only what we think -- a bunch of ideas. We don't know if they work or not until we put these ideas into the universe and this is why we make mistakes all of the time.
Mistakes are usually associated with negativity, but they're a huge step in how we grow. Without them, as humans we wouldn't be able to understand & improve things the way we do. Like Beck said, humans have the advantage because yeah, computers are very smart and know a lot, but they don't have a sense of understanding. We aren't always making mistakes either, a lot of the time our ideas turn into something beautiful & creative. So if you think about it, it's really a win-win either way.
This is also why we shouldn't take our thoughts so literally. We've all overthought or obsessed over thoughts before, but how often do you find yourself doing it? For me, it's more often than I'd like. When we do this, we're attaching emotion to assumptions -- which we all know can lead to negativity within ourselves or our relationships. I've found that meditation is a really helpful tool for people who find themselves struggling to let go of persistent thoughts.
Our brain is a muscle just like the rest, that needs to be worked out consistently to grow & be healthy. Unlike what most think (wink wink), mediation isn't about trying to stop or control what you're thinking. It's about accepting your thoughts for what they are and letting them go. Holding no strong attachment (emotion) to them, because like Buddha once said, "attachment is the root of all suffering". With time & practice you'll find yourself naturally letting thoughts come & go -- and your internal suffering will subside.
There's a free app called Headspace that's amazing for guiding you through the mysterious world of mediation. If you're skeptical, I encourage you to just give it a try. It takes 10 minutes or less out of your day. Instead of waking up in the morning and instantly checking social media, try this first.
❁ Dez
If you liked this and want to stay updated on new posts & other Dez things, my Instagram
is linked right here! I’m always open to hearing from you guys. xoxo
He basically compares computers & our brain the entire time. I find that we are so used to a fast-paced computer world that we expect our brains to be able to keep up with that. When they aren't as quick & accurate, we let ourselves feel like we're less valuable.
He talks about a lot, so I won't summarize the whole thing. But he explains that computers go through information differently than we can and vice versa. With the computer it's input, process, output. No matter what these machines use to process their info (algorithms, etc.), they will always follow that sequence with little to no mistakes in the end.
Our brains on the other hand are so different because we gather info, and we process it by thinking about what we just learned -- trying to understand it & make sense of it. There's no algorithm telling us what's right or wrong. It's only what we think -- a bunch of ideas. We don't know if they work or not until we put these ideas into the universe and this is why we make mistakes all of the time.
Mistakes are usually associated with negativity, but they're a huge step in how we grow. Without them, as humans we wouldn't be able to understand & improve things the way we do. Like Beck said, humans have the advantage because yeah, computers are very smart and know a lot, but they don't have a sense of understanding. We aren't always making mistakes either, a lot of the time our ideas turn into something beautiful & creative. So if you think about it, it's really a win-win either way.
This is also why we shouldn't take our thoughts so literally. We've all overthought or obsessed over thoughts before, but how often do you find yourself doing it? For me, it's more often than I'd like. When we do this, we're attaching emotion to assumptions -- which we all know can lead to negativity within ourselves or our relationships. I've found that meditation is a really helpful tool for people who find themselves struggling to let go of persistent thoughts.
Our brain is a muscle just like the rest, that needs to be worked out consistently to grow & be healthy. Unlike what most think (wink wink), mediation isn't about trying to stop or control what you're thinking. It's about accepting your thoughts for what they are and letting them go. Holding no strong attachment (emotion) to them, because like Buddha once said, "attachment is the root of all suffering". With time & practice you'll find yourself naturally letting thoughts come & go -- and your internal suffering will subside.
There's a free app called Headspace that's amazing for guiding you through the mysterious world of mediation. If you're skeptical, I encourage you to just give it a try. It takes 10 minutes or less out of your day. Instead of waking up in the morning and instantly checking social media, try this first.
❁ Dez
If you liked this and want to stay updated on new posts & other Dez things, my Instagram
is linked right here! I’m always open to hearing from you guys. xoxo
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