THE VOICE IN YOUR HEAD
You are not the voice in your head.
You are not your thoughts.
A simple concept which may seem quite peculiar at first.
For significant chunks of the day most of us are, held captive by an inner voice, a constant stream of thoughts which are largely automatic, repetitive and unbidden. This inner monologue is seldom kind, wise, affirming or even reasonable. It is far more likely to be the voice of a relentless critic, a fearmonger, a prophet of doom or an agent of anger and dissent; creating scenarios which do not exist, or replaying upsetting stories from the past.
How we long for a break from this mental noise, for the ability to quieten the mind or to hear a more uplifting story.
We have grown up with two assumptions:
Firstly that our thoughts equal who we really are.
And
Secondly, that we should accept whatever comes to mind as true and valid.
In reality, thoughts are produced by the brain and are based on many factors:
- ✨ Past experiences,
- ✨ Childhood memories,
- ✨ Fears,
- ✨ Environmental influences (Internal and External),
- ✨ Habits,
- ✨ Beliefs (Unexamined and likely faulty),
- ✨ Instinct. The brain's survival instinct to keep us safe (not happy or flourishing just alive).
So the thoughts which arise are not necessarily accurate records of reality at all. Most of the time, they are neither consciously created, nor assessed for accuracy, However, once the thoughts arrive we immediately accept them and identify with them. This does not have to be the case.
Key points thus far:
- ✨ You are not your thoughts. You are separate from your thoughts.
- ✨ Your thoughts are often neither accurate or true.
- ✨ Once you recognize that you are not your thoughts you can try something new. You can begin to observe your thoughts.
The act of watching your thoughts creates a distance between you and any particular thought.
Thoughts will arrive, but you don't have to dwell on them, get caught up in them, or accept them as truth without examination. When a thought arrives, you can simply notice it and register that you are thinking this particular thought, you do not need to latch on to it and add to it.
The thought will pass.
Try it. It is fascinating.
- ✨ As soon as you notice a thought, pause and think, "Oh, I see I'm thinking about X." Don't judge it, fight it, or agree with it - just notice it and let it pass by.
Do you experience that distance between you and the thought ? - ✨ Repeat the first step whenever another thought arises: "Oh, I see I'm thinking about X." No judgment, no resistance, just let it pass.
- ✨ If you become aware of a troubling thought, stop and question it:
"Is this actually true?"
"What is this thought based on?"
"What would be a more accurate and realistic version of that thought?"
"What a liberation to realize that the 'voice in my head' is not who I am. Who am I then? The one who sees that."