“Mystery” behind mindfulness Do you become what you think?

Gautama Buddha has emphasised that the minds of human beings are driven by desires, attachments and distractions that results in perpetuate suffering

Just the other day, at the University cafeteria while enjoying a cup of ginger tea, a friend of mine was telling “nowadays students are going through a lot of unnecessary turmoil and struggles due to the lack of self –awareness, and unfortunately they acknowledge it to stress, anxiety and depression. And finally they end up swallowing pills for temporary relief. It’s true that compared to the past generations, currently students are experiencing an array of challenges. But that doesn’t necessarily mean each one needs individual therapy and medication. Most of them only need an opportunity to increase their resilience”.

What you think, you become
What you feel, you attract
What you image, you create
Gautama Buddha

The above is the essence of Gautama Buddha’s teaching and one of the salient themes of the Dhammapada - mindfulness. Buddha has emphasised that human beings often live in a state of unawareness which is driven by desires, attachments and distractions, that results in perpetuate suffering. The way we think and perceives the world around us eventually shapes our experiences and outcomes. Even though externalities undertake a central role in the play of life, the power of our thoughts and beliefs influences the ultimate reality – our reality. Hence, if one can get hold of his/her thinking process, then he/she can actually redo his/her personality and remake themselves. 

What do you think - Can your thoughts manifest your actions? Absolutely, your thoughts have a direct and powerful influence on your behaviour and the person you become. The thoughts we entertain in our mind shape our perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs, which ultimately guide our behaviour - the way we think about ourselves, others, and the world around us. 

Students often face academic pressures, deadlines, and various responsibilities that can lead to stress and anxiety. Mindfulness provides students with tools to mitigate stress by cultivating present-moment awareness and developing a non-judgmental attitude towards their experiences

Our thoughts contribute to the formation of beliefs about ourselves and our capabilities by acting as self-fulfilling prophecies. Further, thoughts and actions are interconnected in a feedback loop – the Cognitive-behavioural loops. Hence, your thoughts influence your behaviour, and your behaviour can, in turn, influence your thoughts. If you consistently have negative thoughts and hold self-limiting beliefs, such as “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t succeed” or “I will fail, be rejected, or encounter obstacles”, you are more likely to exhibit self-doubt and engage in self-sabotaging behaviours. Conversely, positive and empowering thoughts can foster self-confidence and to believe in your abilities which result in proactive actions, personal growth and increased chances of success. 

Buddha has emphasised that human beings often live in a state of unawareness which is driven by desires, attachments and distractions

Thoughts play a crucial role in setting goals and motivating us to take action. And after sometime these well-established thought patterns becomes automatic and starts influence our behaviours without conscious effort.
Further, your thoughts not only influence your own actions, but also affect how you interact with others. 

It’s apparent that mindfulness is a superpower that everyone has access to, but only a few actually reach. Thus, the practice of mindfulness can create a mental space that facilitates the cultivation of positive thinking and intention. By becoming aware of negative thought patterns, mindfulness allows individuals to consciously choose positive thoughts and intents, aligning with the principles of the Law of Attraction.

Even though externalities undertake a central role in the play of life, the power of our thoughts and beliefs influences the ultimate reality – our reality

When you maintain a positive mind set, you are more likely to notice and seize positive possibilities, leading to a cycle of positive energy. 

With that being said, how does mindfulness facilitate you as a young adult who is still schooling?  Adversity comes at us from the moment we are born. And as we grow, life becomes complicated and it naturally creates stressful situations for each and every one. Students often face academic pressures, deadlines, and various responsibilities that can lead to stress and anxiety. Mindfulness provides students with tools to mitigate stress by cultivating present-moment awareness and developing a non-judgmental attitude towards their experiences.  Hence, they will be able to navigate setbacks, failures and uncertainties with greater resilience. Due to a number of misconceptions people tend to intentionally avoid anything that has to do with mindfulness. Some perceive mindfulness as a religious or spiritual practice. This lack of awareness results in discouraging or devaluing the practices of mindfulness. If so, what can be done to enjoy the luxury of mindfulness?

As a point of departure, mindfulness has to be perceived not as a concept, but as a skill that develops with practice which enables a person to live in the moment by getting in touch with his/her consciousness that would facilitate in reducing stress and anxiety. Albert Einstein once said: “People like us who believe in physics know that the distinction between past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion”. Hence, we should try our level best not to let yesterday use up too much of today. Carrying emotional baggage is not new to many of us. We need to acknowledge and accept the past, and learn to leave the past where it belongs, and stop stressing about the future as well. Further, our attention needs to be navigated towards the things that nurtures and sustains our life.

Since, we experience life through our six senses and most of the time it’s the small and simple things that make the bigger picture, we need to be adept at appreciating every moment in life no matter how small or insignificant it might seem at first.   

As a concluding remark, the practice of mindfulness should start with small and incremental steps.  And it should be integrated into various aspects of your daily life steadily with serenity. 

(The writer is a Senior Lecturer    Department of Business Administration

Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce

University of Sri Jayewardenepura)