Enjoy this re-post from three years ago.
“Our minds are like crows. They pick up everything that glitters, no matter how uncomfortable our nests get with all that metal in them.” ~ Thomas Merton
I love this analogy. Its part of the human condition to keep picking up thoughts and not letting them go. Adding more and more until we find ourselves overwhelmed.
In yoga there is the term “monkey mind” for a mind that continues to jump from one thought to another. Whether monkeys or crows work for you, take a moment to reflect on how attached to you might be to your thinking.
Do you keep analyzing and adding more thoughts? Or perhaps jump from one to the next? How much are you adding to your mental clutter ?
When we take time to pause and be still, we become aware of our thinking. We realize we are not our thinking. As a witness to our thoughts, we become less attached to them.
With awareness comes detachment and the ability to let our thoughts go.
Don’t add to your inner clutter, find your middle ground.
What minds? Thanks for the uncluttered thoughts, Val.
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Smiling. Indeed! Thank you 💛
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Yes! Uncluttered minds. I thought this was going to be about physical stuff in our houses. I’m so bad about not letting go of stuff…and people keep giving me more! Haha. My mind, I think…and hope is way less cluttered. You’d think I would rub off on myself and get rid of stuff! Thanks Val.
Mary
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I like the idea of rubbing off on ourselves Mary! There is some wisdom there 💝
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This describes what I have been doing now for weeks – this crow thing – sigh.
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Sounds like a good time to do some clearing out and letting go Julie. 💛
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It’s all about letting go or you could call it purging, isn’t it? Not just materialistic possessions that clutter our physical space, but also negative psychic impressions, negative emotions and thoughts that we have accumulated along our journey and which we have a hard time releasing.. But the more we collect, the more we tether ourselves to our mortal existence by creating more karma/ increasing our karmic debt. By letting go, we free ourselves from this self imposed bondage. Easier said than done ofcourse. Another thought provoking post, Val. Thank you so much for sharing!
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Thank you Sangeeta for sharing your perspective! Purging and starting afresh are always available to us when we come to see the truth. 💛
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Val, I like the quote too. I think SM is problematic in thay regard, especially busy, busy stuff like FB and Twitter. I’ve dropped FB totally and hardly look at Twitter now because they just seem like towers of babble.
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You have a good point Jean! It’s all too easy to get caught up in the tower of babble 😉
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So, all that glitters is not gold. And even if it is, it’s not always worth something. Thank you. I need this.
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So glad it resonated with you Colleen 💛
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Thanks for the thought-provoking perspective to start the day Val.
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Thanks Dan! Glad it got the grey matter going this morning. 😎
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Thanks for this thought provoking post. Inner clutter is what is necessary to remove but hard task.
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Not adding unnecessary thoughts that clutter the mind is indeed a practice Indira. thank you for being here.💛
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For some, like me it’s an unending process. Have always to be on guard. Thanks for your inspiring posts.
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I’m applying two litmus tests to my thoughts:
* Will this thought simplify my life?
* Will this thought bring me happiness?
If not, I show it the door and tell it not to hurry back!
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Live your 2 litmus tests Nancy. My first thought after noticing I am feeling off track is “Ia this thought serving me?”
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I must be part crow… 😉
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I can relate Eliza! I think of you as a Blue Jay 💛
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Same family 😉 At least corvids are smart. 😀
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LOVE the Merton quote and the post. WISDOM.
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Thanks David. There is wisdom here 💛
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Know only to well that crow mentality. Time to take on board what you say.
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With awareness comes action at the right time. Good luck with internal decluttering Elizabeth 💛
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Hmm . . . I think I have a little of both. Working toward stillness, awareness and detachment!
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Thank you for pausing and reflecting here Carol. It is good to know we have a little of both 💛
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I find I focus on enjoying the moment – never mind trying to remember it 🙂
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The best idea of today. Thank you Derrick 💛
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🙂
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Interesting & thought provoking Val. Thank you!
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Thank you Cindy! I am away with less internet power, so haven’t been able to download your latest post. Looking forward to visiting when I am home this weekend. 💛
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A simple yet powerful reminder, I appreciate it at this moment to just clear off a little more of I don’t need to carry.
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Great advice. Breathing exercises also have helped me.
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Thank you Robert 💛
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Love me some Merton. Thanks, from a student of the Way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3wQdEf0ISk
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Glad you enjoyed it Steven 🙏
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