I've noticed an increase in petty thoughts skittering across my mind. Does anyone know any tricks to keep them out?
Discussion
I struggle with this often, too.
They usually go away when Iβm fully absorbed in something else / flow state.
Having a really good conversation or creative accomplishment as part of the flow state can give a protective effect.
I also pray for the renewing of my heart and mind, and to see people and things the way God does, more at these times.
This list is pretty good for this situation, too
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That would definitely be beneficial. The thing I'm unsure of is whether it would be more than momentary relief via distraction. Hmm... Maybe if I can solve this, I can get in flow more easily.
mantra
Ohm Mani padmi hum
Ding!
Does it actually work? I guess maybe it could train your mind to be more comfortable without the parade running through it..
It helps, doesnβt cure. But daily practice does help to allow the petty thoughts to pass when they come, and not to dwell around. I find it best to sit with mantra for 20 minutes, eyes closed, deeply relaxed, 2x daily. I hear Dan Harrisβ book 10% happier is good but I havenβt read it.
The realization that you are simply a vessel for hosting ideas was helpful to me. Meditation also trains your mind to allow detachment from ideas that pass through your consciousness. I could get into an entire theory about the metaphysical implications but suffice it to say being able to essentially not attach your consciousness to ideas that pass through, even if they are beautiful ideas, will allow you to let petty thoughts pass through like a breeze.
Yeah, I'm at that point of seeing the thoughts without being them, but I'd prefer to see nicer thoughts. I suspect there's some kind of balance effect going on - pushing in one direction causing the opposite to squeeze out.
That has more to do with the metaphysical bit I was talking about. It's tough to explain in text. The TL;DR is basically the things that generate ideas (spirits, angels, demons, whatever your word for them) have their own moral biases. The more attractive to them you are the more ideas they will send through you.
Okay, now this is interesting... I've had this idea, and I've been trying to pursue it, but there's no path laid out for it, at least not that I know of. The idea is, if I could clearly visualize archetypal psychological "attractors," which are like axiomatic influences on the stories that make up life, then I could choose the part of the story I like and inhabit that more frequently. Does that make sense?
It makes sense directionally. I would say we as the vessels have more of a choice in attachment to singular ephemeral ideas than comprehensive story archetypes. The only way to really direct that sort of thing is to make the arduous choice of a given archetype in every moment. Lots of mental fortitude required.
maybe you're just a petty person?
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but seriously
wanting things to be other than they are is the problem.
there's no end to chasing after supposed "better" states.
If the thoughts increased, then they can decrease too.
unfortunately its not for mere mortals like us to know why.
you are not in control.
I reject everything about that.
well then you're gonna have a hard time.
good luck with imposing your will on creation.
the human brain is a complex chemical stew
knowing what makes it happy is not impossible or voodoo woo
the older i get the more i get concrete verification that very often these things are as simple as nutrient deficiencies, and toxic reactions to synthetic "foods"
there is also other, higher level things going on but they don't have as substantial effects... if you fix your foundations, often the flappy bits on the roof settle down
Good advice π
Imposing our will on creation is what humans do. If you want to rot in depression, try just being happy without building or changing anything. Whoever has told you you can't impose your will on creation, you need to ditch that nihilistic moron asap.
nothing wrong with building or creating.
if you feel called to do so, you probably should.
It just isn't "I" that builds or creates or "imposes will"
but nm dude
some other time.
i have this really intense irritability especially towards things like barking chihuahuas and noisy vehicles driving past, and screaming children in school playgrounds
i'm finding that i'm a little less distressed by these kinds of inputs now, and some mix of potassium, boron, magnesium and sulfur deficiencies seem to be involved
possibly some new thing you are doing is depleting one or several of these and creating a vicious cycle