Thoughts on Purpose: Tips for Thinking Well

Our ability to think, discern, and choose thought as a tool to do good in the world is one of the most distinguishing characteristics of being human. It is arguably one of our most misunderstood and underutilized tools for overall wellbeing.

Whether we are aware of it or not, every moment we choose thoughts and corresponding feelings. Then we choose actions in response to those thoughts and feelings.  We think between 60,000–70,000 thoughts each day — which is a thought that’s hard to get your head around! Most of these thoughts are unconscious, most are replays from the day before and the day before that, and the day before that…

Some are beneficial and lead to great insights, kind actions, and productive work. However, most lurk beneath the surface of our awareness and can instead be detrimental to great insights, kind actions, and productive work.  How, then, do we consciously increase this awareness and the quality of our thoughts?

Understanding that we have irrational thoughts, rational thoughts, and intuitive thoughts is a good place to start. Irrational thought (associated with the brain’s amygdala), pops up when we feel threatened or triggered. When we’re in this place, the best we can do is to notice it, insert a powerful pause and breath, and wait until it diminishes before we act.

Rational thought (associated with the brain’s prefrontal cortex) is reflected in our ability to process and synthesize information, perform tasks, work, etc. We spend a lot of time living in our heads, so much time that we often identify our thinking as who we are.  The more we identify ourselves as our thoughts — especially those that are negative — the more we risk losing our center and our awareness of our intuitive mind.

But we are not our thoughts. We’re not our beliefs or our stories either.  Rather, we exist in the space between our  thoughts and corresponding feelings. This is the space where we have easiest access to the intuitive mind (associated with the pineal gland, or 3rd eye, and with our energetic heart center, located in the center of the chest).  The intuitive mind is that wise, spacious mind, which, when tapped into, leads to curiosity, inquisitiveness, discovery, and innovation. Using our rational mind to connect with, and focus on, our intuitive mind as the source of our actions and beliefs is a wellness path that honors the whole self. 

So, how do we create more intention around better using our thinking and intuitive minds? Here are a few practices to get started:

Meditation – Explore a two-minute practice focusing on your breath.

Mindfulness – Yoga is a great practice for this.

Affirmations – Intentionally plant positive thoughts in your mind – speak them, write them, repeat them.

Look for the good things in life – Challenge yourself to notice one good thing each hour.

Powerful Pauses – Stop doing and simply be (preferably in nature) as often as possible.

Play and Replay – Do something that makes you feel joyful. Keep the feeling alive by replaying it in your mind.

You can learn more about each of these practices in my Yoga for Wellbeing Series, on my MindBody Radio Show, and on my website.