The Tyranny of Thought

Have you ever driven down the highway, arrived at your intended exit, and then wondered how you got there? 

Every time that happens, it scares me to death. Would I have snapped out of my thoughts if a deer had run out in front of me? When absorbed in thought, we’re oblivious to what’s going on around us. We’re our own center of attention. 

No doubt, you’re familiar with the often-cited advice to live in the moment. Who isn’t?

Then why don’t we do it?  Too busy?

No, actually that’s not it. The real reason is that being completely in the moment requires freedom from distracting thoughts; something most of us aren’t very good at.

Thoughts, of course, are essential. We couldn’t function without them. But there’s a downside. In addition to removing us from the immediate experience of life, they stress us out. I used to drive home from work and play movies in my head about the day’s transgressions, which only added to my stress. 

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could easily let go of stressful thoughts? Wouldn’t it be nice to take a breather from our monkey minds? 

Letting go of thoughts requires a type of fitness most of us aren’t familiar with. I call it Silent Fitness. It takes practice to become silently fit, just as it takes practice to run a marathon.  Fortunately, the benefits start to accrue immediately.

Have you ever suddenly experienced a momentary feeling of boundless peace? Such events are never planned; they occur spontaneously, perhaps on a beautiful day as a soft breeze caresses one’s face. These events are rare.

What if peaceful feelings became a daily experience?

To achieve a balanced life, we must learn to be still.

My new book, The Secret Within, takes a deep dive into the role Silent Fitness plays in fostering a resilient happiness in the face of difficult circumstances. The book includes practices that help introduce Silent Fitness into one’s life. 

My wife, MJ, isn’t always the biggest fan of the blog, but she loved the book! I couldn’t ask for a better testimonial!

We’re getting close to its March release; there’s a lot of last-minute prep involved.  Busy stuff, which is to say, if I miss a post or two in the upcoming weeks, you’ll know what I’m up to. 

Peace in your life is closer than you imagine.

Stay tuned!

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Stay tuned for my new book,  The Secret Within, which will be available in March.