Philosopher27's Blog

What You Think – You Become

One of the most compelling things that I have learned, I first learned in a book by James Allen. That is where the seed was planted in my mind. Over the past couple of years that seed took hold and has become quite the plant so to speak. One quote of the Buddha is this, “Mind precedes its objects. They are mind governed and mind made. To speak or act with a defiled mind is to draw pain after oneself, like a wheel behind the feet of an animal drawing it.” James Allen, used this quote in his book As a Man Thinketh. He went on to say, “As a plant springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of man springs from the hidden seeds of thought and could not have appeared without them.”

So, what does this mean and how can we apply it to our lives to help ourselves let go of pain, depression, negativity and those things which stand in our way of happiness and freedom? Someone recently said to me, “Nature abhors a vacuum.” What she meant by this is that when you let go of something, your mind / nature wants to replace it with something else. This is why we sometimes develop monkey mind when we are trying to meditate or when we are trying to fall asleep. I believe that the stillness we can find within, by creating that silent place within our mind is not so much a vacuum but a thought of peace. We can feel it all the way to our very essence. From the seed of thought, so grows the plant of action. If you want to let go of pain, you first must think and believe that you can.

If you have a single moment in your day that you realize you don’t hurt. For a second or two there is no pain, no shame, and no hurts mentally and physically, even if it only lasts a split second that is your seed! You know without a doubt that you really can for a second, feel no pain. Close your eyes just for a moment and look at that seed. It is living. It wants to be planted so it can grow. Lovingly, plant that seed in your mind. Give it care and understanding as a mother would a new born child. Nourish that seed by knowing that it is there and underneath the “earth” you covered it in, it is taking root. It is just a small root, not visible immediately, but it is there. It is alive within you.

As that seed grows, you will begin to see more and more times when you say, “Hey, I am standing up and my back isn’t hurting.” Or maybe you notice more and more silence within your meditation.

If you are having trouble with meditation and you can’t find that stillness, there is a way to find that “seed” also. When we speak or think, in between the words there is a split second pause. It is like the empty spot when you hit your spacebar when typing. Try to imagine yourself stepping into that space in between the words. Hold it. It will take practice but the practice of doing that is nourishing that seed and the pause will become longer and longer until your meditation brings you to a silent awareness of bliss.

“Nature abhors a void.” So, maybe she is right. We are letting go of pain and replacing it with feelings of peace. We are letting go of the chatter in our minds and replacing it with silent awareness of the present moment where we exist between the words, where we are truly free.

What we think we become. Our actions are the produce of the grown seeds. When we contemplate negative emotions and indulge anger, lust, greed, hatred or any other quality that does not bring us to the end of suffering, we draw more suffering after ourselves. If however, we think of virtuous deeds and peace and love we will draw after us that which will show in everything we do or say. If you want to find peace, you must first plant the seed. Know that it is within your and nourish it always.