YOUR MIND IS NOT THE BOSS OF YOU

Does your mind sometimes feel like a herd of wild horses?

Eckart Tolle speaks of breaking free from the conditioned mind. "Life repeats itself until you become fully present...Please use every moment to step out of the conditioned mind and into a deeper state of consciousness."

What's happening. Our brains are evolutionarily wired for survival, even though saber-toothed tigers are no longer waiting to devour us. The brain is "velcro for danger and negativity". Therefore, we angst, distract, defend, catastrophize, and control. I, for one, popped out of the womb ruminating over people or circumstances I can't fix, keeping one eye open, going Chicken Little, and reacting without insight or compassion. It didn't make life better and it still doesn't.

In moments of perceived threats, the amygdala can "hijack" the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for emotional regulation, rational thinking and problem-solving.

What we can do. We can practice stepping out of our conditioned minds. Through intention. We can choose a modality to begin the work. With insight meditation, breath work, contemplation, and ontological coaching, to name a few. Slowly, slowly, slowly, our minds calm down. We notice and nod to the wild horses trampling through our thoughts. We loosen the reins.

What happens next. We become less reactive. We experience more awe. We discover new pathways and more tenderness. For ourselves and others. Less regret.