Is anyone into controlling or monitoring your thoughts?

[godmir]

Hello all,

Are any of you into consciously being aware and controlling your thoughts? As the bible says "A wise man controls his thoughts." I think there may be quite a few benifits to this method of utilising the mind.

I myself have been trying this but it is a very difficult task indeed. I have so much to write down but will wait until this conversation develops and when the questions do arise.


I am quite interested in this and would like to hear your experiments and experiences with mind control, if that is what its called.

Feel free to ask any questions to myself or anyone else who does bother to participate in this thread.

[emily445455]

As the bible says "A wise man controls his thoughts.".


Where does It say that?

[godmir]

I read it once I think its in Proverbs or Sirach. I will look up the verse and let you know. May take me a little while as I have to skim through it line by line and page by page.

Look for my reply later on today

[godmir]

Where does It say that?

Hi Emily,

I skimmed through Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach and Proverbs but could seem to find that quote in there. I know that it is in there somewhere - I'm sure.

I did find this however:


"Whoever keep the law controls his thoughts" - Sirach chp 21 Verse 11

By law they are reffering to the 10 commandments.

[nate]

Yow! THE TITLE SCARED ME.
I thought you were asking whether i was into my thoughts being controlled by another entity!

But i am still confused. R u asking about meditation, when you clear your mind of all other thoughts and try to concentrate on just one?
Or perhaps when u r in the zone (like when i am cooking) and naturally all my thoughts concern just one thing and there is no effort involved.
Or perhaps purging, like when you do something to help u stay focused on one thing, like fasting etc?

Nate

[godmir]

Yow! THE TITLE SCARED ME.
But i am still confused. R u asking about meditation, when you clear your mind of all other thoughts and try to concentrate on just one?
Or perhaps when u r in the zone (like when i am cooking) and naturally all my thoughts concern just one thing and there is no effort involved.
Or perhaps purging, like when you do something to help u stay focused on one thing, like fasting etc?

Nate


Hey Nate,

Mediatation is not exactly what I am talking about but quite close. Most mediations are 'sessions' that people schedule for 15 -30mins a day and then forget about the rest of the day.

I am talking about constant vigilance of thought. Just noticing what thoughts creep up in your head and as Power of Three suggested, keep the positve and discard the negative.

It is also different from when you do something that you like, such as cooking because when cooking you are engrossed in it because you enjoy doing it and therefore have complete focus.

I am speaking about controlling your thoughts to the extent that allow you to do what you command yourself to, not necessarily only the things you enjoy but the opposite too.


I am definitely not talking about purging at all, but a certain amount of self-control may be implied in monitoring your thoughts.

Hope I make enough sense.

Oh, and how do multi quote instead of how I did it above?

[nate]

Oh, and how do multi quote instead of how I did it above?

I do it in a roundabout way. I open another window and log in there, go to the thread i want, and then quote, go advanced, and copy/paste the into the actual message in the first window.

IMHO complete control is something that you can build up to, but there has to be a starting place. I am very into it. It has a lot of power. Theres this book called the secret by Rhonda Byrnes. Its kind of about the same thing. except it goes further and says that you actually attract what what you think about. If you think negatively then you will attract negative things in the universe and vice versa.
How true that is...Idk. How practical...Ireallydk
But control your thoughts to what end? just in speaking situations? How do you know whats negative, or positive. How do you know when to reign in your thoughts? And when to "Think outside the box?" Theres something to be said for free association. What is positive? What's negative? (assuming we r all sane)

As you can see I'm not very good at it, Yet.
My mind is all over the show even now.

Nate

[godmir]

Hey Nate,

I know from my experience most of my thoughts are pretty useless. Its mostly fantasizing about things that will never happen to me. I try to numb those thoughts as much as possible, although I am sometime not alert enough to catch them playing in my head.

For sure its something that you build up to as you stated. I in no way suggested that its instantaneous. I have been battleing with it for months, on and off with a little success.

I think that with a relatively good control of our thoughts, we would be more disciplined and focussed in life. I wasn't really suggesting that this would be a cure for stuttering, but it may alleviate it as you can filter out those stupid thoughts that instill fear in you when speaking.

I just think that controlling ones mind will benifit ones life as a whole. don't you think so?

[nate]

This topic is so ambiguous right now I cant think straight

If you have uncontrollable thoughts, like you find yourself day dreaming about real crazy shit like "I dont know what it would be like to F^^$ Angelina Jolie" then you definately need to learn to focus. Or if really bizarre thoughts interfere with your functioning eg you are supposed to be executing a money shot and then Angelina Jolie is bouncing around in the bed of your head. That is a problem. And definately warrants mind control.

On the other hand if you get in the habit of throwing useless thoughts out of your mind u might become like those uptight hung up guys that cant lighten up if their lives depended on it.

Plus its nice to daydream sometimes. I like to fantasize about the house I'll one day build, I feel like it helps me focus better. It sort of motivates me.

Fearful thoughts, angry thoughts, those by all means should be discarded. or at least dealt with. When I am angry I engage with the iron. I get buff and I take out my frustration. Those endorphins kick in and I feel better. Thats how I control my mind, Mainly by way of distraction or redirection. Or I listen to African Percussion music. Or I drown my sorrows (this is my preffered mode:p ), And recently I made a Chinese friend who speaks no English and is teaching me Tai Chi. Mr. Xiao Chen or Chen Xiao (I think its Chen Xiao) thinks it will help my current aggravations of anxiety and stress.

So: How do you do it. And what do u deem succesful, 100% all the time? 50%? And what are your thoughts that are so bad anyway. They cant b that bad can they?
Nate

[godmir]

Hey Nate,

Thanks for your replies. I wrote a few paragraphs but when I read them they were, as you stated, ambiguous. lol.

Maybe I will ask this question in a different way at a later time, once I can organise my thoughts and be more specific.

Peace

[emily445455]

Hi Emily,

I skimmed through Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach and Proverbs but could seem to find that quote in there. I know that it is in there somewhere - I'm sure.

I did find this however:


"Whoever keep the law controls his thoughts" - Sirach chp 21 Verse 11

By law they are reffering to the 10 commandments.

What is Sirach?

Oh, is it in the Apocrypha? I don't use that, I do not believe it is Scripture.

[nate]

What is Sirach?

Oh, is it in the Apocrypha? I don't use that, I do not believe it is Scripture.

Sirach, by Ben Sira, also known as The Wisdom of Jesus son of Sirach, The Wisdom of Ben Sira, or Ecclesiasticus, is a work from the second century BC, originally written in Hebrew.

The book is included in the Septuagint and is accepted as part of the biblical canon by Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, but not by most Protestants, and is listed in Article VI of the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England[1]. Although it was not accepted into the Tanakh, the Jewish biblical canon, Sirach is occasionally quoted in the Talmud and works of rabbinic literature. The Greek Church Fathers also called it "The All-Virtuous Wisdom," while the Latin Church Fathers, beginning with Cyprian[2], termed it Ecclesiasticus because it was frequently read in churches, leading to the title liber ecclesiasticus (Latin and Latinised Greek for "church book").

just sharing em:D
nate

[emily445455]

Sirach, by Ben Sira, also known as The Wisdom of Jesus son of Sirach, The Wisdom of Ben Sira, or Ecclesiasticus, is a work from the second century BC, originally written in Hebrew.

The book is included in the Septuagint and is accepted as part of the biblical canon by Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, but not by most Protestants, and is listed in Article VI of the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England[1]. Although it was not accepted into the Tanakh, the Jewish biblical canon, Sirach is occasionally quoted in the Talmud and works of rabbinic literature. The Greek Church Fathers also called it "The All-Virtuous Wisdom," while the Latin Church Fathers, beginning with Cyprian[2], termed it Ecclesiasticus because it was frequently read in churches, leading to the title liber ecclesiasticus (Latin and Latinised Greek for "church book").

just sharing em:D
nate

Thanks Nate. :)

I don't follow books that aren't in the KJ Bible.

[nate]

I just read the first five chapters of the secret. And basically its not just about positivity.
Its about:
1.Thinking positively and being happy regardless.

2.Visualising what would make you happier.

3.Feeling the feelings that would accompany that vision as if it were already reality.

4.Believing in your minds eye, not just that it is achievable, but that it is already achieved.

NB, you dont have to have a plan, or smart goals. you just have to have a vision (which is way more detailed but easier).

But here is the kicker. Apparently the universe is in cahoots with your thoughts. Thoughts are energy that have a specific frequency. When you put out a thought it tunes in with the frequencies of the universe and if that thought is negative then it tunes in with negative frequencies in the universe hence bringing more and more negativity into your life.

So if you stutter and you keep thinking "I dont want to stutter" what the universe hears is Stutter and so it sends more stuttering your way. Or if u r in debt, and u keep saying 'I dont want to be in debt" what the universe hears is Debt and more of that will come your way.

So the trick is apparently to (and this is my understanding of it and since i aint the brightest bulb I may be totally wrong)the trick is to;

1. Think "I wll speak fluently" (the universe hears Fluency)

2. Visualise myself speaking fluently (as opposed to visualising the words that I will have trouble on)

3. Feeling feelings of elation and triumph and pride that will accompany my extremely fluent speech (instead of the usual panic)

4. Here's the bitch: Believing that not only is it doable, its done already.

Apparently they say it takes practice but it is the formula for success. and it's been kept a secret for very long. Well no mores!
I'm trying it, but not for my speech coz i think that ship has already sailed. I'm trying it for my gf!!!

BTW one other thing it mentions is the importance of gratitude and for being thankful. Even in the worst of circumstances one can find a reason to be thankful.

Where the is 202?

[nate]

Tis strange that recently the threads on here have been revolving around "thoughts" rather than "techniques"



So, as Nate listed, and going out on a limb here,and inviting some unkind comments, when I work on my inner being, I:

1. Think of myself as a fluent talker (even though I know I have some great distance yet to travel on that front)


Some say this is denial. How do u get around it? I havent read the whole book yet. Perhaps the answers lurk therein, but i am interested to know.



3. See myself drawing strength from the Universe around me when going through trying times, and situations test me.

How do u accomplish this? Again I am very interested to know. Especially when u r feeling like Kak! Is it a methodical process of constantly monitoring your thoughts? Or how do u redirect those feelings without doing something?



4. (The toughest one of all for me) Accept that other people are on a different wavelength to me, and some will understand, and others will take great issue with what I believe. Just accept that everything happens for a reason, and all is for the greater good.


This one's easy. The Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh Says that (and I paraphrase coz its a bit long) no belief system is ever the absolute truth all the time.


Sometimes your wattage is quite high ;)



Harrumph!!!
Tell Niki:D Maybe she'll finally believe it:D

[nikita]

Harrumph!!!
Tell Niki:D Maybe she'll finally believe it:D

Honestly!:confused:

[nikita]

I am always impressed how Nate can mix a most profound post full of very deep statements with very colourful language.

Always makes me :D :D

I know, he makes me :D too. I am convinced that one day he'll be a great writer. He just doesnt know it yet!

[nate]

I know, he makes me :D too. I am convinced that one day he'll be a great writer. He just doesnt know it yet!

A am already a great writer. Whoop! Whoop! Look at my million dollar royalty!

So I read the next 3 chapters and the last chapter i.e
chapters 6,7,8,10. (OK so I am a slow reader!)

Visualisation remains a key component, gratitude too. But alot of emphasis is placed on happiness. Just being Happy. Doing what makes you happy. Of course there must be exceptions to that rule (I should hope) but doing things that make u happy keep you on that happy frequency and in tune with more happiness and hence things which bring you happiness.
So even if you dont really have a "goal" or a "thing" or a "vision" that will make you happy, it is possible to remain happy by asking the universe for happiness and maybe even the universe may provide you with that same (as yet unkown) "goal" or "thing" or "vision" that is so deep in your subconcious but that you really want and will really make u happy.

In less convoluted terms it means that simply being happy brings things that will keep you that way... Happy.

Its a good book.
A bit preachy, but a good book and taken with a grain of salt

Incidentally, it mentions the "placebo effect". And I only mention it with reference to all the drugs that are sometimes peddled here (I'm a culprit too, I am a Klonopin fan). I have read abit about it and though I dont understand how exactly those studies are carried out but apparently some of those people are given a sugar pill and it helps them greatly.

Now thats not to say that drugs are useless, NEVER!!!
All I'm tentatively thinking is that maybe the brain is alot more powerful than we give it credit for. If it can bring about such a change in even the most dire of circumstances like terminal illness or extreme pain (my proof is the placebo effect) then why not in every diagnosis?? Its just a question and I am in no way, NO WAY, advocating spitual healing here.
Just thought I'd mention it. And see what ye think. Especially the researchers and doctors

Nate