Q and A | How do I prevent being pulled into thought?

One of the most common questions by people who have had the initial insight, "I am not my thoughts," is, "How do I prevent getting reidentified with thoughts? We find ourselves in this awkward phase where we know that our thoughts do not define us and yet we find it is still very easy to find ourselves "In our heads." This video offers a few simple strategies that can help ease the struggle that tends to result from this phenomenon.

[@erikabeheimcunningham6596]

Thank you! I really appreciate your pointers on not judging yourself when recognizing thought identification occurring. I’m noticing space between thoughts and a sense of nothingness that is my awareness. But it’s definitely not the norm, and I’ve had to remind myself that my thoughts of frustration re thought identification are still just thoughts.

[@seancasey98]

My current thought is there is so much to know and think about enlightenment. That I'm feeling overwhelmed. Maybe now is a good time so ease off, all the reading, searching and watching resources and take time out to just be still and digest what I've learnt and just rest in the senses.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Not a bad Idea, or self inquiry. It requires no knowledge whatsoever :)

[@ann337]

Go with your intuition Sean - from all I’ve understood so far this entire process is not really supposed to be bogged down in theory and logic. I know absolutely nothing about enlightenment or awakening and this is very new to me too so I’m approaching it like a child would. I know I’m here and beyond that I don’t know anything else 🤣. Thoughts come and go and I can’t control it or that lol. Don’t really care to understand the process behind what is happening - more excited by the WHAT is Happening itself. Less thinking/reading/understanding and more being for me. I’m fine as I am so what more lol? Direct sensing and practicing the meditations is what feels like fun for me so maybe it will for you? Whatever you decide will be perfect 😊

[@seancasey98]

@@ann337 thank you. I just find the more I look for answers the more confused I become. It sometimes sound like everyone is talking in riddles. I get the theory but have been unsure how to apply what I have learnt. Think the answer is to stop looking outwards for the best book, video or words of wisdom to give me that eureka moment. Rather I need to go within as Angelo says and do some unconditional personal inquiry and stop apply pressure on myself to 'do it right'.

[@ann337]

@@seancasey98 absolutely! This is ALL about going within and you are your own best “teacher” so to speak... otherwise the confusion will amplify if you try to solve it mentally because THAT process is the barrier. You have everything you need to apply the practice and you don’t need special knowledge or to conceptually get it. I don’t get some things and before it confused me too so I decided to let it all go... and go with the flow without expecting anything, just to see what happens. Either way it’s alright🙃. This is an instant freeing pressure reliever to achieve a “thing”! Best of luck to you on your ride☘️😁

[@Gina-if1ek]

@@seancasey98 So if we can clear our minds of thoughts, from what I understand and have experienced on occasion, we can then hear our higher selves. Our higher self can't come through if our mind is cluttered with useless thoughts. Best advice to you, close the books. They will only confuse you, learn to be quiet within and let the magic happen. It is a journey. Another tip that helps me, is listening to people like this gentlemen, who is teaching a better way. For me, if I listen daily, it helps keep me on track. 💕 I also like listening to Sat Yoga Institute YT daily.

[@Oversampled]

I watched some episodes of the office and it relaxed itself

[@sachaghozzi1896]

1- I am not my thoughts 0:47 2- Come in the presence regularly, its an important pracrice 7:50

[@darkcylander]

It moments like this I tend get unsure what to do. If obsessive unwanted thoughts come I feel like "don't waste your attention on this, this is the pain body and if you let it run wild like this it's just going to renew itself over and over" but I also feel like "You can't choose not to think these, that is avoidance and it's perpetuating the illusion of control, you need to accept everything that happens including unnecessary thoughts and just be with them." I suppose it depends on the stage of realization to know when to "abandon the whip and rope" but that's just another thing you aren't really supposed to analyze. 😵‍💫

[@rnp6954]

Being pulled into thought is fun, enjoy it!

[@kbshrink]

More great pointers! It is difficult to know how to handle a new freedom from thought, especially when they reassert their grip! Good to know that it’s a process and takes some integrating. It does feel like a burden lifted to get out from under believing in thought. Detaching from thought - by looking for it, identifying it and not getting entangled in the content - works wonders. 🙏🏻

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

☺️🌺

[@darfish5040]

Well said. I feel the same way!

[@erikabeheimcunningham6596]

So true!

[@alfreddifeo9642]

Thanks for the sharing, to guide us. Love and courage to all to come home to Truth.

[@hanibasim7598]

Excellent video as always, Thanks.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

My pleasure!

[@geoffreylevens9045]

This has a lot of value I think, even for those of us who have not made that first big shift.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Thanks for your comment:)

[@mattspy4316]

So helpful!! All of these videos are so helpful.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

😊

[@chriswilson5758]

Thank you

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

You're welcome

[@JeremyArnold1603]

Wow. Exactly where I’m at.. and have been for 2 years.. thanks.

[@peedublyou]

this is one of my favorite SAA videos. Thank you.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lcluff3649]

You Sir, are magic. Thank you thank you thank you 🙏

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Welcome. I wish you fruition. It’s possible for you :)

[@derekreed6798]

deep gratitude and loving kindness🙏

[@robertmood9330]

The algorithm brought this one back around and it is perfect for me. The practice here that begins at 7:50 and the clarity around why the practice in the least triggering times forms the habit… this needs to be in your second book which is coming out now right? (: That whole “I should be able to just snap my fingers and be present…” nailed it. Very relatable! 🙏🏻

[@DavidBee]

This video nails where I'm at right now. I'm currently traveling with some friends, after having a series of awakening shifts, and I'm finding myself falling into old patterns of mind chatter. This is very useful for me to help put things into perspective. Thank you. 💞

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

You got this!

[@charlesiveson2642]

nice explanation of the human condition, very relatable; background music was a nice touch

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Glad you liked it

[@violinwithRosemary]

So very helpful. Thank you, much gratitude 🙏

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Glad it was helpful!

[@olelindqvist2254]

Thank you, how I like your way! Really helpful.

[@hedgehog606]

24 carat wisdom! Deep gratitude.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

🦔

[@jasonsaxon2309]

Thanks for this video Angelo! This was what I had asked about in an email a month ago. This was a great explanation !! 🙏

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Glad it was helpful !

[@stephenharper4956]

Great video as always , love the back drop plays with the visual field . Your head seems fit through the gaps the square create as they move towards you . Love this

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Thanks 👍

[@branimir9881]

Excellent pointers throughout the whole video. The reactivity somehow subsides over time. I noticed the other day how there was no reaction in a situation in which I would normally react. And the good thing about it was that it did not take an intellectual effort not to react. The body-mind just did not care to react. But it takes time, and it is important to practice over and over. Great job Angelo, this is one of the best videos I watched about thoughts and the path in general. Thanks.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

That’s awesome! Just it takes some work but when equanimity clarifies, the remaining perceptual filters can drop quickly

[@brownsuitcase]

Thank you so much for every video and alll you content. I'm so grateful to you and your videos

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Welcome

[@crystalynnpitts270]

Your doing a great thing. I want you to know how grateful I am. Life is so beautiful!

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

😍

[@paulblack9600]

Thanks Angelo im glad i found this video lots of great pointers here

[@LightandJoyDesigns]

Thank you so much ❤

[@maryamsh28]

These practical talks are very helpful for me. Thanks

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Glad to hear that

[@cps_Zen_Run]

Yes, we are neither our body, nor our thoughts. We are not the labels assigned or self attached.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Indeed!

[@birgit8996]

❤

[@mariaclemente2930]

We realize that there is no one, that there never was anyone. Therefore there is no process of any kind

[@jasonc8910]

Thank you. 😊

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Welcome!

[@carynroll4725]

Dear Angelo, The struggle is real. xoxo Caryn

[@Robert-yi8hh]

Thank for the video. The question is a very good question. Here is an answer: place a newborn in a non-dualistic monastery up in the Himalayan mountains where the all of the monks are awakened or liberated. Just kidding.😂 Imagine a newborn or infant never learned anything while being raised. What would it look like if an infant was raised without any knowledge? What would it look like not knowing any shapes, colors, tastes, sounds, touching, etc.? Will the person end up having absolutely no thoughts or thoughtless mind? Never having to worry about being pulled into thought or identified with thoughts? Would that be so cool? LOL.😂 Here is another answer: Stop thinking. Try to stop thinking with your eyes closed or opened. You can't or it's hard, right? The mind (thoughts) moves like a train. The world moves like a train too. When you stand still by the railroad tracks, the train moves past you. When you stand still outside, the people, birds, trees move around you. However, the clear sky at daytime or outer space at nighttime do not move. What is it that stands still in the mind? QUESTION: Who is it that is being pulled into thoughts? Again, thank you for the video.

[@robertogaleno5920]

Excellent video as always! Thank you very much for sharing these explanations. Right now I am in that process, little by little trying to maintain the state of presence longer and in more difficult situations. Will you make videos explaining the next steps or are they too difficult to explain in words?

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

The next steps after awakening, generally speaking, are dissolving the subject object construct and the sense of reactive agency. These are addressed in the non-duality and Equanimity playlists respectively :)

[@jaszczureczkaJa]

I know there is no self, but assuming somebody is still not awaken, how would you approach self-love? I feel like lack of self-love stops any progress in all aspects of "my" life

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Notice where you "move away" at any level, whether it is from a thought, in the emotion body, or physically. Then start to reverse that process. Start leaning in, saying yes (esp to internal situation), and inviting experience instead of having a doubt or avoidant tone. Self love will follow in time :)

[@jaszczureczkaJa]

@@SimplyAlwaysAwake thank you! What do you mean by "reverse". Trying to go back to previous state or analysing what have caused the shift? Currently I try to accept and observe what is going on with my body/mind Weird thing is, i started to have more lucid dreams since then.. Is there a way to use them in process of enlightenment?

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

@@jaszczureczkaJa no not analyze. Move closer like in a physical sense . Something like your baby is crying so you pick it up and hold it close, tune into it energetically, hold it close to your body so it can regulate its nervous system

[@KK-qd6ro]

@@SimplyAlwaysAwake I can see how getting beyond words helps diminish thought. I'm just having to much fun with words, now they don't control me. Love your sentence, it made sense to me. But it didn't feel right. Interesting duality. Crying would have made sense also. ;o)

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

@@KK-qd6ro 🤣 feel free to point out any typos … I make many of them :)

[@omarmiz]

Please release this music track, I need it in my life!

[@jacquin8511]

The other day I realised that the thought "I am caught up in my thoughts" has a lot to do with identifying my head/small mind as *me* (relative *me* as opposed to ∆). So whatever my thoughts are doing, I default to thinking that's *me* doing it. Really though, it's just _one_ aspect of my form doing what it's supposed to do, like my heart beating or my gut processing nutrients. Even if I put attention on those things, I never identify my self with them. I'm experimenting with shifting "being" out of my head and into my ... I don't know, centre? core? heart? (in the non-anatomical sense) or hara maybe? Do you think that's why some meditative/body-practice traditions encourage focusing attention in that area?

[@jacquin8511]

I like that you bring the body's own intelligence into this (the body-mind figures it out) and point out the energy absorbed by thinking. I've also noticed that when I notice I'm following a sticky thought stream, my face is scrunched up or my neck is tense or there's some other muscular exertion going on for no good reason!

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Indeed, that can be a valuable practice. Your sincere inquiry is going to serve you well. You’ve clearly seen that “o keep getting caught in thought” is ITSELF a simple thought and doesn’t define or “capture” any identity. That is powerful insight. What usually reasons is an identifying with sensation. De identifying from thought is one thing, de identifying from physical form is quite another and takes some time and inquiry. You are well on your way.

[@FuturesTraderMorales]

You are really about neo advaita man wow so crazy. Bro I feel the same way. Tomorrow ima do it fully without backing out. Part of my day will take me to lutsen for 2nd of snowboarding there. Shits going to get far out. Ppl going hate me for it. I dont care. I choose freedom or choice to simply experiment with this fully which I cant resist man. Comment back man. All u do is heart my comments lol. Guess thats the effortless one 4u.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

You got this, full combustion, don't come up for air!

[@FuturesTraderMorales]

O damn dude fuck. My email only showed that u loved my commemts but when u click on see comment there goes a reply. Awuh man I am embarrassed blowing ur videos up with the same non sense. Have mercy lord. Honestly man full surrender or pure freedom is not going to work here in America. Dont get me wrong I surrender now like almost all my moments and step into effortless flow that goes beyond thought or any planning. So much better to live this way. But certain situations very few actually its best to just master ones egoic folly too avoid looking and feeling completely embarrassed and out of bounds lol. It crazy how wherever I go in the states now this past month I am the only one who realizes this effortless one. I dont blame folks though. There running on a tight schedule with family to take care of. U should make content describing your intimate experience with the effortless one just like ram das did in some of his talks. Its up to you though.

[@FuturesTraderMorales]

But like u said before and even my self. There still has to be a doer sometimes or mamy times to reply to laws, lines, commands from authority, and to reply to everyday people who need to communicate with us and us to them for thru out our experiences. But not going lie like Lao Tzu said best to stay in the Tao in the feminine as much as possible. Its pure grace and healthy too for most part. Especially if one goes even further and purifies their old bad habits and conditioning. Thanks doc

[@Oversampled]

Holy hell that's me now. Oh bro it sucks

[@billpippel2667]

I found the weird, moving, hypnotic visual background distracting, and I also found the low-volume, hardly discernible music distracting.

[@freeman669]

❤️