Resisting the Present Through Obsessive Thinking
I thought I’d write a piece on a really interesting talk that I listened to on Insight Timer about obsessive thinking, which I suspect will plague a lot of people as business begins to open up. Something of interest to me as a sufferer of OCD.
It is Monday 26th April and I am sat at my desk typing away and listening again to a wonderful talk by Roxanne Pigeon on Insight Timer; I would argue as being one of the best Apps as to talks, meditation, courses, music for wellbeing.
It is worth a look at the App/Website because I assume that a number of us will come out of Covid (and Brexit) quite frazzled. I know for a fact I have been through the mill at times in being honest.
So Roxanne? Well she caught my attention as I suffer from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), with mine being more concerned with intrusive thoughts and the analysis of them. Both a gift and a burden. A gift in the form of an analytical mind, a burden with a mind that does not turn off and is constantly bombarded with thoughts (just to keep it simple.) I found Roxanne’s talk on Insight Timer, which I found fascinating.
The reason I highlight the talk is not actually that it is about OCD, but the fact that it can help people with a racing mind. I suspect that people in business will be bombarded with information, meetings, decisions as we begin to ramp up the economy. And this can lead to obsessive thinking that takes you out of the present and can be very discomforting and stressful.
So just to make clear this is not about OCD.
Some Pointers
(Please note this is a blend of my experience and Roxanne’s talk.)
When stressed the mind naturally races, usually due to the number of tasks it is trying to process.
Thoughts can then become obsessive. You can’t get them out of your head. Something is bothering you.
The more we fight/make effort against a intrusive or obsessive thought, the stronger they get - we argue with them - and we then drown within the though(s) that carry us away from the present and can be distressing. This is natural.
This is counter intuitive to other aspects of life where putting effort/fighting for something gains results. Very pertinent to business people. It is very confusing.
Ceasing to think about something, does not mean you cease to exist. (See below.)
Thoughts are not you. They emanate from the mind, and are not you or your psyche or the mind itself.
In a nutshell, your past is throwing thoughts at you - intrusive/obsessive - and this interferes with the present. Listen to the talk.
What should I do?
Embracing silence, sets you free. Your mind is liberated. By that I mean make time for yourself during the day in which to “not think” and find a quiet spot if you can. Let your mind flow - a stream of consciousness - even if only for 5 minutes.
Listening too much to thoughts and not observing them, means you are choosing illusion over reality. The present becomes blurred. You cannot revisit a thought as to something - it is past, and an interpretation of the past. And reality, the universe is ever changing.
Don’t try and control “things” which is what you are trying to do via ruminating on an obsessive thought as to something. As mentioned you cannot control reality, as reality changes all the time. And what is past is past, or yet to come. Holding onto a thought is a contraction of the mind.
Choose acceptance of a thought and let your mind “flow”.
But do recognise the tension, as it is natural.
You can let go any time, and moment of thoughts. I know this is not easy, but do listen to the talk as it is only 11 minutes long and gives great insights.
You are not your thoughts.