[quote=mitchfilsinger;4349f I am to be brutally honest about the nature of my thoughts and the importance of them, am I not giving into what is past and what is to come instead of living in the present moment? I find that by putting my thoughts into their place that I am just whitewashing the fact that I'm still being controlled by them. My ego gets the chance to say “ohhh, so that I why I am thinking this.” By putting them into their place am I accepting them as a part of me, thus, in the future, I can observe those thoughts without judgment? [/QUOTE]
Mitch,
This where it gets to the nitty gritty!
If one were using the thinking mind to analyze these thoughts there is no doubt there would be any number of directions one could go with them and yes, the ego would run wild with answers that would bolster itself to no end.
The key is watching the thoughts through the presence of awareness. This process give it the objectiveness one needs to look without meddling. Through awareness one sees the truth of these thoughts and how the ego would use them for it's own self serving purpose.
This all takes place under the watchful eye of unabashed truthfulness. You will begin to recognize the truth in your thoughts as well as the falsity with practice. It is not the awareness that needs the practice only the observer. Awareness can only see these thoughts for what they truly are. In time one can discern one from the other. Then acceptance of what awareness brings one leads to peace and freedom.
Now with this I must give a disclaimer! I am here just as you are. I am still learning to do this. I can only teach that which I need to learn myself. I need verification through repetition. Through helping you understand . . .I understand also. We are here together
Thanks Mitch,
gus
