We are what we think. This idea goes back centuries. It has been used to encourage people to put spirit first; it has been used as a way to get ahead in business. Here are some quotes about how our thinking affects our reality:
- Proverbs 23:7: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
- Henry Ford: If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.
- Buddha: We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
- Albert Einstein: The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.
- Earl Nightingale: You become what you think about all day long.
Some have been skeptical about the power of thought. Lao Tzu held an interesting view: “Stop thinking, and end your problems.”
Some spiritual teachers warn about the tricks and trapdoors that come with too much intellectualization. A friend recently said, “Don’t trust the intellect except as it comes from the heart.
My favorite quote about the power of thought comes from “The Course in Miracles” on the subject of vision and wholeness. You’ll find it in Lesson 56, paragraph 27.
“Recognizing that what I see reflects what I think I am, I realize that vision is my greatest need. The world I see attests to the fearful nature of the self image I have made. If I would remember who I am, it is essential that I let this image of myself go. As it is replaced by truth, vision will surely be given me. And with this vision, I will look upon the world and on myself with charity and love.”
That’s clear. Let go of the fearful ego and its troubled thoughts. Let your true nature and true vision look out on the world with love and compassion. The Christ/Krishna/Buddha within you looks out on the world with love. If you allow that vision to be yours, you will live in peace. Spirit is present within us all. It is infinite and eternal. Its influence on our lives depends on how much of our self we’re willing to surrender to its light.
Let the light inside cleanse your thoughts of fear. You’ll then see the world as it truly is – a reflection of the spirit light within.
Spiritual Awakening 
Excellent post… It is so true, if we wish to change the world we must first change our selves. A guru was once asked by an initiate what they could do to help change the world, his reply was worry about changing yourself and your own consciousness and the world will take care of itself…
Most people never experience the beauty and peace that comes with living in alignment with the Divine nor do they reap the health and anti-aging benefits that also come from a life of love and forgiveness and positivity. If you speak life and health then you will experience the same. Never say to yourself that you are sick or tired or ill, affirm the opposite and you will experience it.
Love each other,
SW.
Thanks Storm Wolf. It’s quite amazing how the world changes when you change yourself. As I changed, the very texture of reality changed.
Who thinks?
Good question Old China Man.
Hi Rob,
Having read all your blogs back to front, I would say: “Welcome to the awakened world”!
Just out of curiosity, (if you don’t mind) can you call your experience in late December 2012 an NDE? The timing in its correlation with the Mayan Calendar is very intriguing.
Hi Old China Man. Thanks for your kind thoughts. I didn’t know about the timing with the Mayan calendar. My experience was not the typical NDE. However, I went through a major psychic change. The result was an awakening to the presence of spirit within. I have always believed in the presence, and I have experienced the presence during meditation, but after my coma, my contact was conscious. I seemed to be looking out at the world from the presence within.
Wise words indeed. The effects of the changes we make within are far reaching…more than we can imagine.
Thanks Ghostbusterbev. I agree, it is more than we can imagine.
This encapsulates much of what I write about. Beautifully expressed! Thank you for sharing this beauty with the world~ xoxo
Thanks much. Yes, in many ways we’re writing about the same thing over and over in different ways. These ideas need to be written over and over in different ways.
Very true. I was just thinking the same thing last night while composing my last entry. Trying to find a new way to explain the same thing is always an adventure 🙂 Glad you’re in there with me!
I really like this post. The intellect has gotten vilified in a lot of spiritual circles, and being someone who takes the mental approach to “heightened states of consciousness” in my spiritual practice, I’ve taken some issue with that. The intellect isn’t inherently bad. Like all tools, it’s about how you use it. There’s a quote from Neale Donald Walsch that I think resonates with the message of the post. “Think about what you’re thinking about. Pay attention to what you’re paying attention to.” That’s in my opinion the essence of “self awareness”.
That’s a great quote, Blacksun. Thanks. I agree completely. A friend of mine served as a Buddhist monk for a couple years. His instructor (guru?) kept asking him each day, “What are you thinking about?” He said it drove him nuts, but it did make him pay attention.
Haha, yeah, I’ve been known to drive people more than a bit nuts with similar questions. “What are you thinking about? Why are you thinking about that? Where did that thought come from? Are you comfortable with that?” and “What are you trying to do? And is what you are doing going to help you accomplish that? And if not, how can you modify what you are doing to accomplish it more effectively?”
Gosh, this is so profound ” Its influence on our lives depends on how much of our self we’re willing to surrender to its light.”
we`re kindred souls for sure LOL!!!
🙂 surrender is indeed a fundamental element in reaching to Spirit inside. thank you for sharing so much . its pure wisdom !
Thanks for your kind words, Foal. Yes, surrender and forgiveness.
This is sooo true, Rob. Thanks for dropping by my blog and liking my post. It lead me to yours and this great post! I’m a follower… 🙂
Thanks Melody.
Thanks much, Melody. I look fowrard to reading more of your writing.
This is so beautiful, and so true. Thank you, Rob, for following my blog, Petals Unfolding. May it bring Inspiration, Peace, Love, and Joy to your life. Blessings, Amy Rose
Thanks Amy Rose. I look forward to spending more time on our blog.
Thank you for your beautiful work, Rob. I am trying to get very real about surrender and finding your blog is very refreshing. Kindred spirits! May you know much peace today.
Thanks much for your kind comments.
Reblogged this on Mindpower (The Amazing Power of the Human Mind).
Thanks much, Craiglock.
Great post! I wonder if we find it so difficult to connect with our Divine Self because we don’t believe that anythings so perfect could really be us….
Thanks Linda. I think you’re right about the Divine Self.
Be still and know you are God.
Namaste
Your first sentence gave me the goosebumps. This is part of a post I have YET to post on my blog and had decided to put it on soon. What your first sentence states is in essence what I wrote.
Yes, I agree with all here. This is a great post and I am also following you. You have had “change” as I have had, only mine was in 1984, and it has taken me this long to clean out the dross. Now I am walking strong and what I hear and “know” I put on my blog.
I am deeply honored our paths have crossed. Thank you for the work you are doing here. It is so needed in this world. Love, Amy
PS My photography speaks of the Divine IF you have eyes to see. The Messages of Nature I hear, see, and feel. *I just got a whosh of HEAT that went through my body, as I wrote the last sentence to you.*
Thanks Amy. Yes, I did go through a major change. My change was slow, and then all of a sudden. Beautiful photographs on your site.
Ah, now the clink clink. I didn’t know your name when I left my comment, but I saw a Rob who just followed me. I am so honored. I believe what you read on my blog, you will just “know”. I speak Truth and Love.
I no longer am the person I was, even from one month ago. Yes, the change was many years ago, but it is just lately that the results and the continual upgrading, if you will, are being seen. I have stepped onto Holy Ground. Namaste, in Love, Amy
On Wednesday, February 26, 2014, Spiritual Awakening wrote:
> Rob Spiegel commented: “Thanks Amy. Yes, I did go through a major > change. My change was slow, and then all of a sudden. Beautiful photographs > on your site.”
Thanks for following my blog! Very short and true! I think we need first to be aware of our intentions and attitudes. They come first.
Reblogged this on Spirit Sunshine's Blog.
I like to believe we can use our thoughts constructively! I also believe we are a great deal more than our thoughts!