The Mind
You have the answer. Just get quiet enough to hear it. ~ American leadership coach Pat Obuchowski
Once the conduit to Ĉonsciousness is obscured by nattermind, clearing it to reach quietude can be a daunting challenge; but this is precisely what must be done to attain enlightenment.
No particular thought can be mind’s natural state, only silence. Not the idea of silence but silence itself. When the mind is in its natural state, it reverts to silence spontaneously after every experience or, rather, every experience happens against the background of silence. ~ Nisargadatta Maharaj
The mind’s proper station is problem-solving. Otherwise, any conscious thoughts reveal that nattermind is running the show, and your soul is adrift in a ceaseless sea of meaningless mentation.
Nattermind must be put in its place. The gentle way to do so is through meditation. The more direct means is minding the mind: actively discarding thoughts and emotions to focus on the immediate environment.
Beware of the thoughts that linger, winding up inside your head. ~ English musician George Harrison in the song “Beware of Darkness” (1970)
Those who really seek the path to enlightenment dictate terms to their mind. Then they proceed with strong determination. ~ Buddha
It is not a simple thing to control the mind. It cannot be done in a day, or even in a year. Through constant effort thoughts can be controlled a little. In this way, the uncontrollable mind can finally be brought under control. ~ Sri Lankan guru Yogaswami
He who conquers the mind conquers the world. ~ Paramahansa Yogananda
Rather than being a tool of the mind, make the mind a tool by using it only for the task at hand. Submerge nattermind in the sea of the subconscious: a pet fish rather than a domineering dragon.
Life is simple. You just have to stop trying to figure it out. ~ American novelist Marty Rubin
