March 13th, 2011 by rob white
The purpose of this blog is to help you discern the difference between how your heart-mind (deep-minded thinking) works, and how your surface mind works.
To begin with, as you already know, your surface mind is working when you are consciously paying attention to what’s happening or what’s being spoken. You are working with your surface mind right now, while reading this blog and paying attention to the lessons it offers.
Your deep-minded thinking is working to take care of the many habits and automatic reactions you have (like when driving your car to work – all of a sudden you’re there and you don’t remember the trip!).
The interesting thing about deep-minded thinking is that once it’s trained to do something, you don’t have to give it anymore conscious attention to make it repeat the trained response. Once heart-mind absorbs a pattern, it will hold onto it for a lifetime (unless it doesn’t!).
So, all I want you to do right now is to become the impartial witness to automatic tendencies that make up your personality. Just take the time to notice what you automatically do, (what your deep-thinking pushes you to do); it’s those things that are very predictable about you (others can tell you in an instant). Just by noticing, like it’s someone else (not you), makes the tendency waxy; it becomes less rigid. What makes this process real interesting is that you get to drop that solid feeling that you didn’t notice you had before. Just as you begin noticing the rigidness of your tendencies, you get to take out the rigidity; how much fun is that? From this moment, start watching, there is no need to strain.
I don’t know what you may do without rigid tendencies determining your personality; I don’t know if you would install new tendencies or just be free! Or maybe you would choose to allow the rigidity to remain the same; this is entirely up to you. Suddenly you become aware that the mind is nothing other than ‘thought-waves’ that surrounds your beingness, but right now you’re hovering above those waves (like if you are in a helicopter, hovering above the ocean).
Now I would like to suggest to you that you can change as fast as you want to, and it is especially easy to do when you separate yourself from your mechanical reactions. In these freeing moments, your deep-thinking mind can begin to remember when you were as free as a bumblebee (flying from flower to flower looking for honey), feeling confident and competent!
All of this and more can happen smoothly and swiftly. Did you ever think you could take care of deep-content matters (like ridding yourself of rigid tendencies), just by stepping aside and noticing your automatic reactions? This is a vital step to enlightenment (to lightening up the internal load that deeply influences you) … NOW … very good!
I have just treated you to a very powerful Thinking Ladder process that gives you immediate control of the “I AM” that you choose to be. Taunting tendencies can attack you with sarcastic remarks whenever life is testing you. It’s time to put an end to such tyranny. Begin now to notice what deep-content ‘thought voice’ continually promises you a gain if you follow its advice, but leaves you with a loss (it tells you that pouting or shouting will get you what you want).
This blog offers an awesome insight! Take the time to read it again and ponder how it applies to you. You can guarantee the collapse of intimidating tendencies when you take the time to notice, “Hey, that’s not really me!”
Blessings … please leave a comment to help others understand what you’ve learned about yourself or about others here … leave a comment so you can more deeply understand the treasure that the information is offering you.
P.S. You will find great stuff like this in the little orange book (ROAR), coming out soon.
“Best Comment of the Week”. This weeks best comment comes from Bryan Thompson of Elevation Life. The runner up is JK Allen from the Hustlers Notebook. See their comments here.
Rob,
You really captured the essence of being “the witness” and put me right in that state.
When we step outside of the constant deluge of our thoughts we do see how “rigid” our thinking mind/ego has made our lives. We’ve got all these set patterns and responses that control us and inhibit our true nature from shining through. I want to be that free little bumblebee going from flower to flower looking for honey feeling competent and confident. The only way to do that is to stop being so self-conscious and just be the witness.
Thank you Rob!
Indeed, Angela, we all love feeling free like the bumblebee going from flower to flower extracting sweet nectar! Behold yourself as you really are, which you often do, Angela, and the free (not the bound) expresses through you. Thank you; I like that about you.
Whoa this is cool… It’s kind of mind bending. I totally LOVE the idea of being like a helicopter watching the ripples radiate out. What’s funny is I have so many friends that are predictable down to a T. You can tell how they will react in any situation it is so automatic and obvious — only they have no idea. NOW the big question is what am I doing that is so predictable? That is eye opening. I’ll have to get back to you later ‘cuz I can’t think of a thing right now. I know the ones that work for me. Like when I see somebody I know, I always go for a hug rather than a handshake. This is fun – I’m going to be helicoptering around all week. Thanks for this, Rob. This is huge.
Nice catch, Rus …. yes, do helicopter above your thoughts all week and you will amazed at what you will learn about yourself. thank you.
Too true Rob – as I observed I came across my ‘other voice’, the one in my head, the director of a movie, the teacher in a schoolroom, the coach on the sidelines always barking orders and seeking to control, advise, and administer. Then there’s this 2nd more serene yet powerful ‘me’ that’s free. Quelling the first creates a connection to the 2nd and suddenly nothing matters and ‘is’. It’s true our mind surrounds our inner spirit but we have the power to master it and instead release the natural power of who we inherently are. Be well and loved my friend.
Indeed, John, in order to do what you mention in your comment, we must stop intellectualizing and start mentally exercising – which is what this blog offers. Too many folks think if they can say it, they can do it. Not necessarily true.
Hi Rob, this is really moving and powerful for me. I know I have a ton of tendencies. But I like what you say here, they are not ALL bad. Some help us and work for us. It’s the ones that we don’t know that are harming us that we have to take a look at. The hard part is they are so automatic we can’t see them anymore. I know one that does not help me out is that I get offended really easily. I expect everyone to be polite and respect me… if they don’t I can get infuriated! I’d like to be able to float up over myself when I start going down that road. That is a tendency I would like to be free of. I just want to be able to let that stuff roll off me and say “Hey, that’s not really me!”
We all have a ton of tendencies, Kara. what makes life thrilling is to make the tendencies our own (rather than have them installed by others). Thanks for noticing that. blessings.
Rob,
Thanks for sharing the concept of “deep-mind thinking” with us. Your explanation and example motivates me to begin learning how I incorporate this technique into other parts of my cognitive self – like my sense of confidence and worth.
I know when I focus. on this part of my mind and allow my thoughts to run deep, then I do gain a better sense of self awareness.
Blessings to you Rob,
Alex
Most folks, Alex, spend a lot of time trying to impress others with what they know, but spend little time using the knowledge to take command of their deep-content thoughts. Therein lies the power! blessings.
Hi Rob,
I like this idea a lot. There’s a little game I play sometimes that’s kind of similar – I pretend that I’m a very old woman who is just about to die, but then I’m given the opportunity to go back and relive just one day of my life, and for some reason I have picked today. Then I just spend the day watching myself as though I were an alien in my own body – noticing how young I still am, and that all my loved ones are still alive, how good I feel, and how nice my life is. I tend to remember those days forever, because I’m paying attention to them. I recommend it!
Now, that is a beautiful way to take command of the mind from a perspective of wisdom. I love it, Anna …. thank you.
Rob,
This is a concept that I have never heard of but just thinking about practicing it gives me a indescrible feeling of understanding myself on a much deeper lever.
The things that come natural to us are the things we will repetitively do regardless of the circumstances. So by taking a moment and viewing my life as a third party will give me some much needed clarity and perspective. Outstanding content! I am going to put this to use immediately.
A common wrongness that human beings practice, Frank, is to get too involved with their personalities (thinking it is them). What relief to find out that it is not! This means we can recreate ourselves anew whenever we really want to. You are on your way! blessings
Hey Rob,
This is good. I exercise something like this, but much less eloquently said. I look at it like an distinction of myself and my mind. Sometimes I watch my mind spin itself into all sorts of junk and then I note…I am not my mind…good thing. And move forward toward instantaneous transformation. It is indeed powerful stuff.
Indeed, Marlee, you are one of the fortunate that understands what it is to ‘go home’. It means returning to our real nature. You have your own way of getting there. Thank you for sharing that. blessings
I can see where I’ve gotten to be an expert at certain jobs and could basically do them blindfolded. This to me is a good thing and how I make a living. What I just realized it is that feeling of “Competence and competence” that I love. But what is really interesting is that I can definitely be an “expert” at being moody and quick to anger. It’s amazing to think how closely these are related. Now I can see that I want to be an expert at feeling optimistic in the face of challenges.
How do we become experts, Roger, at being optimistic in the face of challenges? Never permit the ‘defeated self’ to give you any advice (it is a false version of the real you – always optimistic). blessings
What a great post Rob,
Taking a proactive look with life from all it’s angles is an awesome gift. At times I don’t exactly sense when I’m being a jerk or when I’ve crossed the line with most people, because I’m so used to being a certain person, which happens to be isolated or even pushy. I figure I could use a crash course in listening to myself.
Great post. Good to meet you Rob.
YES, Jonathan, a crash course in listening to self (the real self) is a great idea. To hear the real self requires noticing where you’ve been gullible, noticing when you’ve accepted the ‘madness of badness’ as true. Just noticing empowers you to locate your temporarily misplaced sanity. blessings.
You really gave me a ton to think about today Rob. I want to go through all my days like a little bumble bee. Our habits can be so limiting. Just last week when I was driving to work I became very agitated by a construction detour. It only took me a little out of my way, but what I realized was that I was really bothered that it took me off of my usual route. I probably only lost a couple minutes of commute time but it caused such aggravation that it might have well been a couple hours!
Your example of the ‘construction detour’, Carol Anne, reminds me that little facts have the extraordinary power to change the receptive mind. your mind is receptive, Carol Anne. I expect great things from you! blessings,
Hi Rob,
Great exercise in “I Am”. I love to practice mindfulness and awareness. As we practice this, it becomes a more natural process. It’s a great exercise in connecting within and quieting the busyness of the world. I don’t think that I do it as often as I’d like to but today I’ll remember to work on it more consciously.
Thanks for this beautiful reminder. Loving blessings
A million lost sheep who gather to find their way home, Andrea, are still one million lost sheep. Everything changes when one of them becomes conscious of the fact that ‘home’ is right where they stand. Now they have a guide. you are a guide, Andrea! blessings
Hi Rob,
You have a way about turning what is complex into a simple and easy to understand format. I love it!
I read this post last night, and went to bed with it on my mind. I imagined sitting in a room (for some reason an interrogation room was the setting), and starring at myself through a mirrored glass. As I did this, I kept thought of “identifying my tendencies”. I realize that this was just an imaginative practice, but I found myself confronted with emotions of unease…I’ll share…
It was a little uncomfortable as I imagined myself interacting in different environments and how I came across. At times I came across as rude. I thought…”I know I’m not rude!!!” but it dawned on me that my intentions may not be of a rude nature, but sometimes people could take me that way. This was a bit embarrassing; I don’t want to come across as rude.
In another instance, I imagined myself in a conversation with my wife…as I watched…I noticed that she was fully attentive and involved in the conversation and I obliviously had something else on my mind. NOW that’s a wake up call. Never do I want to come across like that to my best friend, my wife.
At some point sleep took over my thoughts so I can’t recall any more of my experience…but, as I type this, I feel as if I’ve been empowered. There’s an element of power in taking a step back, outside of myself and witness myself in the act of life. I found two things that I need to change, in a simple 10 minute exercise. Thank you Rob. This was an enlightening
postexperience.Any machine, Jk, be it an lawnmower or a human machine, can only repeat its mechanical nature. You are such a blessing to me and this whole blog community. You are always striving to notice your machine-like nature so that you may transcend it. You are going to be incredibly different tomorrow, Jk, because you are being a conscious human being today (and you graciously share your experiences with all of us). Light loves more light, Jk. Darkness loves more darkness. You love light! I love the light you offer to others as you open to more light yourself. THANK YOU
Thank you for the kind words and great reply, Rob!
Also, Thank you for the recognition in runner up of comment of the week last week. I forgot to show my gratitude with my initial comment.
This reminds me of when I started playing guitar. At first I had to discipline myself to practice everyday. Eventually practicing became a habit (all my friends know I’m not available if I’m rehearsing or practicing – that is a given.) Furthermore, when you really learn a song it becomes totally automatic non-thinking process. It is a real high to reach that level. I see how I have trained my mind to use “deep-minded” thinking and wasn’t even aware of it. So, I guess if I can do it with music I can do it with anything, right?? Well, I’ve definitely got the struggling musician role down pat – I want to learn how to think like a successful musician now. I’m sure there are some mechanical reactions I have that hold me back. One thing I can see now is that sometimes I sabotage myself because I don’t want to “sell out” and do something that compromises my vision. I have to be careful about being too self-righteous. My friends can definitely predict when that side of me shows up.
Indeed, John, beware of being ‘self-righteous’. As I mentioned to Jk (above), darkness loves darkness. ‘Self-righteousness’ is darkness, and becomes a downwardly spiraling cycle of mental madness. You are indeed opening to the light of truth about you. Thank you.
Hey this is pretty cool. You got me floating around outside of myself… weird. I just realized my thought voice that screws me up is secret “hate”. Somehow I think I can get even with people if I resent them in my head. I do this to my co-workers. I argue with them in my head but never say anything out loud – talk about crazy!! The end result is nothing gets communicated and I hold a grudge. I guess somehow I think people will read my mind. Wow… I think I just had a breakthrough! I’ll have to think about this more.
When we avoid wasting our mind on trivial matters, Alan, we float above claptrap advice of prevailing NO’s (that catches us up in anger and resentment). You are catching onto this! Nice. Thank you.
Rob,
Wonderful commentary on the “deep-seated mind”. I have believed for a long time that I am not my mind, but my choices in the moment. Self-reflection is a great way to understand and come to terms with the things we do by rote that may not work for us. We have an opportunity in those quiet moments to confront those nagging voices head-on and make a u-turn if they’re saying something we don’t feel is as positive or life-supporting as we’d like.
I talk to my young daughters all the time about the importance of checking in with themselves everyday, whether it’s by meditating, reading or taking a long walk – just some way to remind us of our true, desired path – instead of letting ourselves get caught up in all the “muck” or rote-ness of the day.
You are teaching your daughters to act from themselves (their real selves), Tisha. There is no better parenting than that! They will grow weary of playing assumed roles that the world will impose on them, and then watch them blossom! Thank you.
As I was reading this Rob I thought about our need, (as I rephrase it in my mind) to become the observer– just watching how we act and feel and then defining the why? It’s funny how when we separate ourselves from the moment and just become the onlooker we tend to see the world in a whole new light.
You always make your readers think Rob. That’s what I really like about you. Tell me, have you ever though about doing video posts? I don’t ask this question to many but because your topics have so much depth it would be cool to hear your ‘live’ take on them as well.
Much thanks,
Marcus
“How do I knowingly block my own progress?” That is the ‘big revealing question’ that anyone (who wants to live from his unlimited nature), must ask, Marcus. You are asking yourself that more and more, aren’t you! May I add, “Yes, I am quite enthralling when I speak aloud of this stuff in a hypnotic manner (seminars and workshops have proven this to true) … and at this point I am loving writing. Thank you for the compliment. blessings
I’ve never really considered this before. It’s strange because I have always kind of sensed it but have never been able to put my finger on it. It’s the feeling of being really good at something, and then in other areas being totally deficient. It is all those stupid mistakes we make and say “what was I thinking! Stupid, stupid, stupid.” It’s the phenomenom of feeling totally incompetent to feeling completely competent somewhere else. I’m having fun being an “Impartial Witness” to all these patterns and habits I have… good and bad.
Indeed, the phrase ‘stupid, stupid, stupid,’ is a great indicator that we are unwilling to go on from wherever we are to wherever we would prefer to be, GeorgieBoy! We’re NO-Stuck. Awareness is powerful step one to advancement. Nice noticement! blessings
Oh yes. This is a wonderful way to get out of our own way. I like to remind myself of when I was little girl around age 6 and everything seemed wonderous and free. That is my ultimate bumble bee state! On the other hand there is voice from that same age that is “daddy’s little girl.” She likes to sulk and pout until she gets her own way
Although it still seems to work it is a bad habit that I want to drop. It is not living from my “bumble-bee-ness” but from “spoiled-bratty-ness” and thats no good!
Living from one’s ‘bumblebeeness’ is fabulous, isn’t it Alicia. love your personal story! Beyond our shallow activity we see the emptiness, and this gives us an opportunity to access our ‘bumblebeeness’. Thank you.
Hi Rob, I know I have made anger a habit. It just shows up and totally takes over. Until I started coming here and reading your books I thought that was stuck with it for good. One of my biggest breakthroughs has been realizing that all of our traits, tendencies and habits are learned… so why not unlearn them and teach ourselves something new. I am Happy Ramone in progress. Thanks for this.
It is a great insight to learn that we can unlearn what we have learned, when what we have learned us harming our progress, Ramone. Nice. thank you
Wow, good for you! How amazing for you to be open to changing your viewpoint and therefore your outcome.
Hi Rob, Well I guess it is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. You really made this easy to grasp. It is amazing to really examine how much of our lives are just run on auto-pilot. What’s even more amazing is to realize we program the auto-pilot ourselves. I wonder why humans plot courses for rocky shoals and stormy seas so frequently? I can never wrap my mind around why we do that to ourselves. Now that I’m older and wiser I usually make a mistake once and don’t do it again. But in my youth I remember repeating the same mistakes over and over and over. I know now that mistakes need to be corrected or else they will turn into those automatic tendencies
Auto-pilot is most often the enemy of free and enjoyable living, Salty. Noticing this is a sure, sensible start to changing the matter. Blessings.
Rob, that was a very inspirational read! I gotta say you really do put it out there when it comes to helping others.
When we separate ourselves from our busy lives, and look at ourselves and hwere we are, we’re usually amazed by what we see. Amazed, and shocked. How could we let this happen to ourselves?
But that’s what reflection does, it enables you to do a pit-stop check on your life, and see the world through a new set of eyes. Thanks for the read Rob
Doing ‘a pit stop check’ on oneself; nice, Stuart! Such checks are motivated by a search for a better way (which is what inspirational dissatisfaction is all about). I like your style. blessings
Yo ROBBY BOY. What up SON?! Yeah man we all got to learn how to CHECK OURSELVES BEFORE WE WRECK OURSELVES!!! HAHAHAHAHHA!!! My deep content voice is pretty MONEY most of the time. I just gotta make sure I keep upping my game and dont get LAZY — BUT we KNOW thats not gonna HAPPEN!! I’ve got to make sure that I keep moving forward. I think the only bad habit thoughts I have is that I got so much to give that EVERYONE wants a piece and then I try to please everybody. Im done with that shiznit. PEEPS are always trying to suck off my energy — no more that weak ass shiznit for me. I’m putting myself FIRST from now on. HOLLA.
‘Check ourselves before we wreck ourselves’ … I love that Magic Marc! You should consider writing!! Your insights are great, as usual. Thank you
Thanks, SHE thinks this idea sucks…and I’m laughing inside. I am deciding to have some fun because SHE has been serious and responsible and miserable and it doesn’t win. Yesterday a friend came over with 2 similar but different shoes on, one black, one brown…and we laughed. I want to laugh at myself, to be wrong and have it be ok, really ok. Seeing my various defense mechanisms/automatic choices as a 3rd person observer, being able to keep the detatchment and laugh at the silliness of things I do, and then to own it and decide if it suits me or if I’d like to let it go. this is how I’m looking at my self work these days…joyfully letting go of what doesn’t serve me.
Here’s a great morning affirmation, Sylvia, that I used often (during ‘trying moments’ of my past): “I am using more inner strength to climb the outer mountains.” The outer mountains were my worldly challenges. I was reminding myself that my inner strength was unlimited, and I was now accessing more of it. Next, I observed how I did this (or did not do this), all day long. You are doing this in your own way. Thank you for your personal lessons
Hey Rob, startling article. This concept is quite new to me. Just to realize I can be an impartial witness to myself is eye opening. When I look back at my past it is like it wasn’t me. I was out of control and really have no idea who or what was driving me. I was driven as hell but its like it wasn’t me at all. Kind of manic and crazy state. Like an animal in heat. Accept I was starved for money and sex. I’ve been having fun floating up over myself this week. Sometimes I don’t know who I am… it’s fun and scary at the same time. Thanks for the wake up.
Most folks take their lives soooo personally, Richard, that the idea of ‘impartiality about self’ is an impossible notion. The evolved mind catches the lesson! Nice job. Thank you
I’ve got some good work habits. I’ve always been a diligent worker and student of music. I’ve always been the first to arrive and last to leave when I was rehearsing at school. I got a reputation as a work horse. I’ve not always been the best intuitive player so I’m always trying to improve that now. That tough. I know how to work hard but I can be to stringent in my practices. Letting lose is what I want to do more of.
Some of us make a habit of working hard, Wynton … and some of us make a habit of playing hard … it’s the delicate balance that we are seeking, isn’t it. Thank you for noticing.
Thanks for sharing this lesson. I’ve hovering and bumble-beeing all week. I must say, I’ve gained a lot of insight into my habits. I was even less annoyed by family and co-workers because I could forgive them when they were just doing their unconscious BS. It was quite relieving!
When we are less annoyed with others we are less annoyed with ourselves, meg. It seems that what we see-eth in others, we be-eth within. Nice noticement! blessings
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