When we unconsciously wish for thoughts that cause suffering to vanish quickly, this desire only intensifies our suffering. Simply wanting and expecting these thoughts to disappear adds to our ego and leads to greater distress, making us question why they persist and why we still feel uneasy.
To escape suffering immediately, we must disengage from what is not truly ourselves.
Any thoughts, emotions, or feelings that stir anxiety or worry—those are not you, dear one. They do not define your suffering or your life.
Due to ignorance, we fail to separate our thoughts from our spirit, causing us to identify those thoughts as ourselves. Consequently, we feel compelled to react to everything our thoughts conjure.
If we are angry at someone, that anger is not you.
If we find ourselves lost in thought, that distraction is not you.
If we feel unattractive, that feeling is not you.
If we mourn the loss of a parent, that sorrow is not you.
If we feel insecure, that insecurity is not you.
The desire for external validation or fulfillment from others is certainly not you.
Worrying about the future is not you.
Pain from the past is not you.
When we cling to the belief that our thoughts define our identity, this attachment becomes our spirit. Each person’s spirit varies in its attachments based on long-held beliefs.
A spirit with high attachment, adept at creating notions, will inevitably suffer more.
Therefore, the root cause of suffering lies in the belief that you are what your thoughts portray.
The method to extinguish this suffering, as taught by the Buddha, is to be mindful of your thoughts.
Become an observer, recognizing that you are not your thoughts and do not need to engage emotionally with them. When you see thoughts as separate, they lose their power over you.
In the moment you adopt the role of the observer, everything slows down. The process of concocting thoughts decelerates, eventually stopping. This awareness brings mindfulness and prevents suffering from arising.
If you wish for the thoughts that cling to many things to simply vanish, it will take time and consistent awareness until it becomes an automatic response.
However, wanting to rid yourself of negative thoughts quickly only creates more suffering and feeds the ego, leading to further distress and questioning why those thoughts haven’t disappeared.
What we must understand is that we do not need to force those thoughts away. We simply need to be aware and observe the thoughts that cause us pain. They will dissipate in their own time. Our task is to fully embrace happiness in the present moment.
Embrace all thoughts—both those that cause suffering and those that bring joy. Accept every thought without avoidance; this acceptance will allow you to connect with your inner spirit more readily.
With love, I hope to clarify and expand upon the Buddha’s teachings.
Inspired by Kru Pru Pae. to become a better me
With Love
Hanna
