In the busy city life, we are often troubled by various thoughts. Waking up in the morning, my mind is filled with various plans and worries; In the quiet of the night, memories of the past and imagination of the future intertwine, making it difficult to fall asleep. These thoughts surge like a tide, submerging us in the ocean of thoughts. We habitually consider these thoughts as’ me ‘, but can these thoughts really represent’ me ‘?

The essence of thought

Thoughts are like clouds in the sky, coming and going without a trace. When we observe calmly, we find that thoughts have obvious fluidity: one thought appears and is quickly replaced by another. This liquidity indicates that thoughts are not fixed and unchanging entities, but rather constantly emerging and disappearing psychological phenomena.

The generation of thoughts is influenced by various factors, including external environmental stimuli, internal emotional fluctuations, and the accumulation of past experiences. When we are anxious, a large number of negative thoughts will emerge in our minds; When we are in a happy mood, our thinking also becomes positive and uplifting. This indicates that thoughts are the result of various factors influencing them.

Observing the process of the birth and death of thoughts, we will discover an interesting phenomenon: there are obvious gaps between thoughts. In this gap, there exists pure awareness that does not depend on any specific thoughts. This suggests that the subject of awareness and the thought itself are different entities.

The difference between awareness and thought

Awareness is a state of consciousness that transcends thought. When we focus on breathing, we can clearly feel the incoming and outgoing breath, which does not depend on any language or concept. Pure awareness is the essence of our existence.

In daily life, we can experience the difference between perception and thought through simple exercises. When sitting quietly, observe your own breathing, and when thoughts arise, do not judge them, only become aware of their existence. Consciousness itself does not change with the change of thoughts, it is a constant observer.

It has transcendence and does not rely on any specific thinking content. Just as a mirror can reflect all things without being tainted by them, consciousness can observe all thoughts without being trapped by them. Realizing this, we have found the key to transcending the constraints of thought.

Beyond the constraints of thinking

Turning oneself from thoughts to awareness is an important cognitive transformation. When we no longer equate thoughts with ‘me’, we can view the activities of thinking with a more objective attitude.

The power of awareness lies in its independence. Being able to maintain clarity in chaotic thoughts. Awakening is not about suppressing thoughts, but about transcending them. Just like standing on a mountaintop overlooking a sea of clouds, we can see the full picture of our thinking without being confused by it.

Practicing awareness in daily life, focusing on eating while eating, feeling the touch of footsteps while walking, and so on, these simple awareness exercises help us gradually get rid of excessive identification with our thinking.

The Reality of Life

The reality of life is not in the multitude of thoughts, but in pure awareness. When we realize that ‘thoughts are not me’, we need to demonstrate it through continuous conscious practice. In awareness, we find true freedom, which does not stem from external conditions, but from insight into the essence of life. Let us let go of our obsession with thoughts, return to the essence of awareness, and live the truth of life in every moment.