We don’t make thoughts appear, they just appear. One day, I noticed that their appearance just wasn’t personal. Noticing that really makes it simpler to inquire.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: The quote highlights the idea that thoughts arise spontaneously, and we have little control over them. This quote encourages us to observe our thoughts and notice that they are not necessarily a reflection of our personal identity or values. This awareness can simplify the process of self-inquiry and help us detach from unhelpful or negative thoughts. It reminds us that our thoughts do not define us, and we have the power to choose how we respond to them.
Who said the quote?
The quote, 'We don't make thoughts appear, they just appear. One day, I noticed that their appearance just wasn't personal. Noticing that really makes it simpler to inquire.' was said in the book Loving What Is (Summary / Quotes) by Byron Katie. Byron Katie is an author and public speaker who has developed a method of self-inquiry called "The Work," which is designed to help people question their thoughts and beliefs and live more authentically.
What's the quote's message?
The quote is a simple yet profound statement about the nature of our consciousness. It suggests that our thoughts arise spontaneously, seemingly without any conscious effort on our part. This can be a difficult concept to grasp. However, when we take a closer look at our own experience, we can see that thoughts come and go in our minds, sometimes seemingly out of nowhere, and we don't always know why. We can try to direct our thoughts in a particular direction, but ultimately, we don't have complete control over them.
The second part of the quote ("One day, I noticed that their appearance just wasn't personal") takes this idea a step further. It suggests that our thoughts are not necessarily a reflection of who we are as individuals. We may identify strongly with our thoughts, but they are not necessarily a true representation of our deepest selves.
This realization can be liberating. If we can recognize that our thoughts are not necessarily personal, we can start to question the stories we tell ourselves and the beliefs we hold, recognizing that they are not necessarily rooted in truth.
This doesn't mean that we should ignore our thoughts or dismiss them as unimportant. Our thoughts can have a powerful impact on our lives shaping our emotions and behaviors in significant ways. However, by recognizing that our thoughts are not necessarily personal we can approach them with more curiosity and openness rather than being tied to them as if they define us.
Inquiry can be a powerful tool for cultivating mindfulness and self-awareness. By examining our thoughts and beliefs with a spirit of curiosity and inquiry we can begin to see them more clearly and understand their underlying causes. This can help us to make more conscious choices about how we think and behave, rather than being driven by unconscious patterns.
* Want to explore more inspiring quotes and their meanings? Head over to my curated collection of elevating quotes.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
