Determine the World for Yourself

I believe what Thayer means when he states this is that explanations from others is a trap, because no one should determine the world for you. It is up to you to find the answers. For example, in today’s generation the media does a lot of thinking for people. It is consuming much of what is out there for people to believe. From how we act, to the way we think, dress, or even the way we talk. We don’t understand much because we let other do the thinking for us. In order to understand others we first have to understand ourselves. Once we understand ourselves, we then can understand and be understood by others. I am a Christian, and I believe in God always. I do understand that there are thousands of religions and some people may not even be religious. Once I understand where they are coming from or what they are, I can communicate because I am willing to change, for a good reason. It doesn’t mean that if I’m talking to an atheist I’m going to say, “Oh, God is not real.” I will just translate God into something where the message can get through to the person. Because I understand that there will be people that don’t believe, and I am not going to start conflict by forcing something on them. I will speak to them in a way where they understand and the communication is successful. In the movie The Secret, one of the speakers talk about no matter the belief, everything has the same formula. Whether it’s Science, Buddhism, Christianity, everything has some form of power that we are successful from once we understand. Relating this to Thayer, I believe he is saying we have to be aware of ourselves, know what we believe, think, and also know what is out there and then we can make changes, if necessary, when we communicate with others.

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...o you are. We are addicted to thinking, Tolle says, because by getting us to think all the time the ego gives us a sense of identity. Yet continual thinking prevents us from enjoying simply being, of enjoying the moment.

How do we free ourselves of compulsive thinking? Begin by putting the mind into perspective by 'watching' what it says and thinks, being a witness to the rolling seas of thought and emotion that you experience every day. You will of course continue to use your thinking mind to solve problems and survive, but by getting some objectivity from it and embracing the 'you' behind it, Tolle says, you are taking the single most important step towards enlightenment. When you can be still and shut off your thinking mind, if only for a moment, you will get a burst of appreciation for the present and for everything around you, and you will feel whole.