Short Musing #4
To the one reading this post: You probably torture yourself more than you realize. We label ourselves constantly. “Should have,” “could have,” “why did I?” And, “why didn’t I?” These are often the phrases that start the process. We use them to question ourselves, what we stand for, and our identities. If we stopped there, we could gain valuable insights that could help us change unwanted circumstances. The problem occurs when we dwell on them, resulting in suffering as a consequence. Our identities do not hinge on any single action. They are shaped by the accumulation of actions we take over a stretch of time. We, as human beings, have the agency to change our behaviors. Allowing them to dictate who we are, is not anyone’s fault, except our own.
Much of suffering is one’s own making. It usually starts in the mind. What you may be inclined to ask, now, is, “What about physical torture?” While not every situation is the same, we can look at some interesting evidence that can help us analyze it. Are you aware that people can be hypnotized to feel no physical pain? If not, a quick online search will show some wild examples. While it’s not a usual situation to be under hypnosis, the fact that it can desensitize one to pain, is worth a closer examination. In hypnosis, one’s mind — not one’s physical body — is being affected. That fact alone points to the importance of the mind’s powerful effects.
You wouldn’t start a chainsaw that’s pointed towards you. Or, would you? Unfortunately, this is how many of us operate our own minds — Against us! Recognizing the chainsaw as a powerful machine and understanding what it can do, is critical to using it well. In much the same way, acknowledging what the mind can do, is vital. It is a powerful tool that can be immensely beneficial when used correctly. We are its control center. Willpower, or deliberate intentions, are what we can use to direct it. The mind is a double-edged sword. It can create a prison of suffering or a blissful opportunity for well-being and a blessed life. The choice is ours.
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