Understanding the Difference: Thoughts vs Thinking
Intrusive and random thoughts are part of the human experience. Many of us have had unexpected thoughts pop into our minds that seem outlandish or make us uncomfortable. Learning to recognize the difference between thoughts and thinking can greatly benefit our mental health.
Thoughts are fleeting experiences that spontaneously arise in our minds. We often have little control over the thoughts that surface. Thinking, on the other hand, is the conscious mental process we choose to engage in. Understanding this key difference gives us power over our mental landscape.
The Brain‘s Thought Machine
Our brains are complex thought-generating machines. Thoughts get created in the midst of neural activity and imagination. Most of the time, they have no deeper meaning or significance.
You can compare thoughts to people randomly shouting things at you as you walk down a busy street. They yell intrusive or nonsensical phrases your way, but it‘s up to you whether to stop and have a conversation. Similarly, when unusual thoughts arise, you don‘t have to engage with them.
The Risks of Getting Entangled
When we get caught up engaging with every intrusive or stressful thought, it can negatively impact mental health. By ruminating and giving credence to upsetting thoughts, we give them influence over our mood and functioning.
It‘s important to note our brains sometimes create thoughts that don‘t align with who we are or what we care about. Just because you have a thought doesn‘t mean you believe or want it. As mindfulness expert Mark Freeman says, "A thought is just a thought." Don‘t let random mental noise control your self-image.
Gaining Control Through Awareness
While we can‘t fully control the arrival of thoughts in our minds, we can control our responses. Through meditation and mindfulness, we can cultivate awareness around our thinking. This helps us disentangle from unhelpful rumination.
By regularly observing our thought patterns, we can recognize the beginnings of unhealthy thinking cycles. We also build the skill of letting thoughts pass through our minds without getting hooked by them. This gives us greater command over our attention and cognitive abilities.
Creating Space Between Thoughts and Reactions
Here are some tips to help distinguish between thoughts and thinking:
- Note thoughts objectively without judgment
- Label thoughts as "just thoughts"
- Avoid rationalizing or arguing with thoughts
- Pause before reacting to create space
- Make conscious choices on what to engage in
It takes practice, but you can train your mind to let disruptive thoughts drift by like clouds. Don‘t try to fight or eliminate them, simply witness them and stay grounded in the present. Regular mindfulness meditation greatly helps strengthen this mental muscle.
Owning Your Thinking Power
In a multitude of random mental noise, it‘s empowering to know we can curate our inner world. By developing awareness around our thinking, we don‘t have to be passive victims to the thought-storms in our minds. We can step into the role of an observer over our mental landscape – noticing but not attaching to passing thoughts. This presence then allows us to respond consciously rather than reactively.
Understanding the fleeting and sometimes absurd nature of thoughts diminishes their influence over us. Keep cultivating mindful awareness, and realize your power lies in your capacity to think, reflect, and make meaning of your experiences. Our thinking superpower allows us to shape our realities for the better.