Wake Up – Get out of Your Mind

Whenever you notice that some form of negativity has arisen within in you, look on it, not as failure, but as a helpful signal that is telling you:

Wake Up. Get out of your mind. Be present.

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Eckhart Tolle – The Power of Now Journal[1]

December 30, 2023

I think negativity must be linked to fear in many ways. Like depression – washing the mind over with wasteful thoughts.

I used to think I was responsible for all the negative thoughts that entered my mind. I discovered it was not me but a character inside my mind who ET calls the ‘ego or unobserved mind.’

My part came into action when I took ET’s advice and listened to the ego’s voice—in other words, noticing what the ego was proposing. The ego is no more than what ET calls. ‘The unobserved mind.’ I understand this to be ‘voices’ in my head, which I accept listening to without recognizing who these voices are and what they are saying. If I identify the voices, they would become ‘observed.’ In other words, a problem defined is a problem half solved. Of course, the voice in your mind is not audible, but it is definable.

To help you observe the voice in your head, remember this: The voice in your head (the ego) has a purpose. It has to protect you from and in conditions that could harm you. But here is the heart of the matter: the ego cannot identify the difference between what is harmful to you and what is an opportunity for you.

By this, I mean if you consciously pay attention to this voice, you will recognize what it is saying. And by its words, you will identify it. I refer to this voice as ego. You are free to call it what you want. ‘Voice in my mind.’ Or, as ET says, ‘the unobserved mind.’ Whatever name you choose is OK as long as you come to recognize the voice. The voice of the ego is not necessarily a problem because defining what the voice says will lead to either an advantage or a disadvantage.

Characteristics of the ego are words like frequent dissatisfaction in my life, fear (in all its forms), and feeling there is something vitally missing in my life, to name a few. The voice tells you, ‘This is me.’ ‘This is my life.’ Once you accept that this is not me, not my life – but the voice of the ego, you are on the right path and observing your mind. In this process, the ego’s voice, whatever it says, gives you a helpful signal – to wake up, get out of your mind, and be present.

Here’s an example: I’m reading a book; I drift off the page and start to think about whether I have enough money to get through the last ten days of the month without borrowing (voice of the ego.) I lose the thread of what I’m reading and entertain worrying thoughts. Then I wake up (away from the worrying and unnecessary thoughts about money), get my little notebook, and write: ‘Check my budget.’ (I always keep my notebook within easy reach in case an idea or a needed task pops into my mind) Now, I can return to my book and continue enjoying my reading. Later, I will consider the ego’s words.

Using this approach will produce two things (at least) for you. This plan will give you greater peace of mind, and your life will become better organized.

I say, ‘All things are important – not all things are urgent.’ Getting through the month with low funds is important, but it’s not urgent – after all, you have ten days to go! And always remember: It’s not the voices in your head that are the problem; it’s when you don’t listen to what they are saying and then manage what they tell you.

Until next time

Blessings

Peter-James.

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[1] The Power of Now Journal 9781529383942 | Fruugo IE

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[1] Eckhart Tolle The Power of Now journal

Please Note:

Earlier parts of this series can be found here.

You will have noticed in this series that I reference “The Power of Now Journal – Eckhart Tolle.” The Power of Now Journal is just that: a journal whose pages are not numbered. The commentary you read on this page is a record of my personal experience arising from Eckhart’s comments on the relevant pages of the journal. With its dynamic wisdom, this beautifully printed book is available from Amazon. I feel confident that if you have read my piece, you will enjoy this delightful journal, even if you don’t usually keep or never have kept a journal.

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[1] The Power of Now Journal – Eckhart Tolle

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