Do we literally create reality by thinking? Or can we Just Do It!

With the immense popularity of science-meets-spirit self-help
movies like “What the Bleep do we Know?” and “The Secret,”
the “Power of Positive Thinking”, or Manifesting and the
Law Of Attraction thinking is hugely popular these days. But is it
really true that our thoughts create our reality? Or is there
a deeper secret to transformation, rooted not in the content
of our minds, but in the power of our actions?

What I mean is, there is this idea that if we simply, (or
maybe not so simply!) change our inner/personal thoughts, this
will change the world all at the same time.  Notice that the
idea of these is that it is all about inner transformation alone,
that will change the world.

But maybe this isn’t really true. Maybe we need to transcend
what is probably “magical thinking” and step into the
liberating power of self-responsibility and enlightened
action.

Are you a victim? Do you feel out of control? Stressed. Out
of life/balance.  Feeling lacking in some way?  It is not
surprising then that you are you attracted to the idea that I
can be in charge of my life.  Hey, and having control is OK,
I am not knocking it.  Having a healthy feeling of security, love
and control is important, maybe even essential.
 
The science of Neuroplasticity is showing us thatwe can all rewire our brains. But even there, it is not simply changing our thinking that rewires us, it is theactions we make along with it that reinforces the neural
pathways.   With frequently remarkable results. See Norman Doidge’s work.

Increasingly I come across people who believe that there
is no one else but ourselves and that we solely create our
own reality.  Underlying this belief is the idea that the
thoughts we think themselves create reality, if we just
change our thoughts, it will create the world that we want.

But perhaps what is really happening is closer to the idea
that the thoughts that we believe in create reality because
we act on them.  The thoughts that come up throughout the
day, we then identify with, and we create reality because we
act on them.  You could start to get very stressed about the
thoughts you hold. Couldn’t you?

The message seems to be, “When I Get my inner state right
life will all work out the way I want it.”
But have you ever asked the question that, if I am to create
a different life and world I am going to have to change my
behaviour in a radical way? How does that feel?  Doesn’t it
make sense? And if it does, how do we do it?

With all the focus on the inner state, which is rightly and
primarily the place we need to focus, that is on our interior
state. But not at the expense of not taking action. What we
do ultimately matters a lot more than what we think. But what
we do is not often what we most want to do.  It can be
awkward, confusing, and definitely frustrating.

The problem is that often the arising of thoughts that emerge
in our head, and the feelings we experience will affect our
choices.  But does this have to be the case? The purpose of
focusing on practices such as meditation or enquiry 
is to free us from our conditioning, and as we do this we become more aware
This allows us to be in a place where our thoughts,feelings and actions
are increasingly in alignment.

If you think about it for yourself. What makes people
attractive to you? What do you admire most in others, or what
do you want to model that you see in others? Isn’t it the
choices they make, the way they respond, how they behave, how
they are acting that you like? 

If our thoughts get right, and you act on them, then the results
can be very attractive and psoitive change will occur in the world.

Let’s turn to the interior life again. In meditation you can
learn to observe what is called the ‘Monkey mind’. That part
of us that is constantly thinking, thinking, thinking.  If
you could get to a place where you aren’t distracted. Where
thoughts  don’t distract you as much, and effect you less.
In a sense you become the witness of the thoughts. How then does this
translate into action?

We’re not that bound to action, are we?

When you begin to see this, be this way, you are off
automatic pilot, not driven by the thoughts and feelings you are
experiencing moment by moment. Stimulated by all the things
around you and within you. It’s when you respond to the same stimulus
in a different less attached or averse way.  It’s how you begin to
act out in tandem with the thoughts you choose to identify with.

You can begin to get space between you and your thoughts. 
Then you can make different choices and have options of the
thoughts you wish to decide from and ultimately act on.
We change outer action, with the thoughts.  Intentions are
not enough.

When we think about people that we really admire, are they
people who are just great thinkers? Probably not. What we
generally looking at are people that we admire and who are
good models of how we’d like to be. Or at least what we think
an enlightened or good people  should act.  We generally don’t
care as much what they are thinking about but how they act.

So what I am saying that at the end of the day it isn’t so
much what we think that is as important, what really matters
more is what we do with our thoughts. But how do you work out
how to do the right, loving thing?  Is it not generally already
known by us?  A kind of commonsense. Isn’t there a conscience, already. 
But we really struggle with our consciences don’t we?

What I am suggesting then is that deep down we all ready know
what we could be doing, why not start making choices that we 
already know we can make? Take the actions that already know
that we need take. I am not saying this is easy, but seems
the best thing to do. It is possible.

It is a fairly common assertion that there is a collective
neural net, what Jung calls the collective unconscious.  If
we all sit around and fill the world with good thoughts?  How
is it really going to change?  Who is going to do it? How is
everything going to transform itself?

Who is going to change the world?  Who really cares?
Thoughts are just mechanically generated, they arise
spontaneously in consciousness, just like clouds scudding
across the sky.  We want to be free, and be filled with a
kind of passion to live a liberated service life.  And do
God’s will, or the will of a Higher Power, which ever way you
look at it.

Perhaps the question I would ask you is. Would you be
willing, to say to your self.  “It doesn’t matter so much
what I feel, so much what I think, although important but
rather how I act on who I truly am? To live from and expand
from the true self, true inner life, without the other stuff
that is going on.

Would I be willing to accept that I am enough, I am
sufficient, and have everything already, in me, to have confidence
to make the loving choices for those around me, family,
friend, co workers, neighbours, wife, partner, the environment?

We need to accept the burden of knowledge that you affect
everything and everyone around you.  We are one. The fate of
life rests on your shoulders.  We each have personal
responsibility for our actions. I do not think we can fix the world,
if we all just think positive happy thoughts, that everything will
be a better place.

Now the danger here again is that we live in a very doing
society one that places great emphasis on doing and getting. 
alot less on being.  And whilst the emphasis is here on doing
what is best.  The truth is we need to get off automatic
pilot, our conditioned automatic thinking and doing, to be in
alignment with our truest selves, and expand and create the
space for choices that bring life, and love, through our
actions.  How do we really trust that what we chose to do
is really the right thing and not a trick of the false self?
Well, this is an another article I guess.

These actions are informed by a moral choice.  One that is
informed by the part a greater being than our own small
selves is trying to evolve us into.  When we see our
responsibility to love, and the moral imperative to be of
service in what we do with our lives. Then the world can
probably change into something we can only dream of right
now.

Otherwise what is the alternative?

Peace,

 

 

 

Gavin J Gowans