THOUGHTS
by Author Unknown

The ocean is full of fish of all kinds, sizes and colours. Some fish live peacefully with each other, and other fish devour each other. A fisherman throws his net into the water to catch fish. When he takes it out of the water he may find in the net edible and inedible fish, and also all kinds of trash. He keeps the edible fish and throws the rest back into the ocean.
The space around us is full of thoughts of all kinds. These thoughts are like the fish in the ocean. What thoughts do you catch? Are you like a fisherman, throwing away what you do not need, or do you take whatever comes?
Do you accept every thought that floats around and comes into the mind, without even knocking at the door? Each one unconsciously attracts certain thoughts and rejects others. Each one possesses his particular beliefs, mind structure, and certain ideas about who he is. These function as a net. People with same kind of thoughts and beliefs have the same kind of net, and fish in the same area of the ocean.
How many people consciously reject negative thoughts or are conscious of the fact that it is possible to reject them?
It depends on various factors what thoughts you allow into your mind. If you belong to a certain religion, political party or country, you have some common thoughts that are entertained by all the people belonging to this group.
The ego accepts thoughts without any judgment, and lives and behaves according to them. Have you pondered why you think the way you do? Why do you follow certain thoughts and ideas, and if they are beneficial to you and to others?
Why is it that you identify yourself with a certain group and not with another?
It is usually because where you were born and of your education.
Look at the body. It is made of flesh, bones and skin. Are not all bodies, including animals made of the same stuff? Some are stronger, and some are weaker. Some are healthier some less.
What is the mind? It is a collection of thoughts. If you stop thinking where is the mind? Thoughts and ideas come and go, but you, the real you, stay constantly the same. It is like having one window in your room looking in one direction, and you see the world only through that window. This makes you think that the world is as seen through that particular window. What about other windows in your house that look at other directions?
If you identify with a body that is changing all the time, and with thoughts that come and go, you are limiting yourself. This identification gives rise to the ego. Then you feel and believe that you are a certain someone and part of certain group of people. This may cause animosity to other groups.



What if you were born in another country or to other parents or if at birth you were taken to live in a different country or with people of a different nationality or religion? You would have thought and behaved differently, though you are the same one.
Put the mind in its proper place. It is a useful tool, but you don't have to accept everything it suggests. What you do not want or need you can reject. You can go fishing in a different ocean, which means change your viewpoint and entertain different thoughts. You are beyond the mind, and are entitled to catch with the net of the mind only thoughts that are beneficial.
Thoughts are only tools, which help you on the journey of life. Evaluate each thought and idea before accepting it. The fisherman is not the fish he catches. The net may catch everything that floats into it, but the fisherman will accept only what he needs. Thoughts float around, and the magnet of your mind draws them to you, but if you are aware of them you can reject what you do not want.
- You accept and reject thoughts by developing a greater awareness of your mind.
- Make it a habit to stop what you are doing every now and then, and just watch your mind. See what thoughts are flowing through it.
- Wait a moment before accepting thoughts. Ask yourself?
"Where did this thought come from?"
"Why am I thinking it?"
"Do I need it?"
"Is this thought a part of me?"
"How did it come?"
Don't think too much about the answers. Question, and wait for the answer to come from within.
In time you will develop detachment and the ability not to be swayed and attracted by each thought. This exercise will gradually develop an awareness of the witness part in you that looks at the thoughts.
One day the process will become natural. It will be done unconsciously. You will experience constant peace, happiness and tolerance.