It is that time – October 2, 2008 and today you can be part of history and make a difference in global consciousness by joining millions in the Great American Think Out.
There is nothing to sign up for, nothing to buy, nowhere to go and in fact nothing to do or to think about. It is this very special day that has been dedicated to just BEING and not THINKING.
Each of us spends every waking minute thinking incessantly, most of the time about the same stuff that becomes useless mind chatter to most of us. This mind chatter takes over our consciousness and although we are “thinking”, it is a very unconscious thinking that is quite mind numbing and very dis-empowering in most cases.
Think of how amazing it would be to break the cycle, break the routine and just be. Take conscious control of your thoughts and instead of letting them control you, for one day attempt to control them.
This is one remarkable day of joy and creativity, peace and presence, not only across the United States but around the world.
Stop Thinking Now
So how do you do it? Well begin with AWARENESS. Become aware of your thoughts and take the first couple of seconds and then minutes to realize what it is that you are thinking about.
Once you are aware, focus on the MOMENT OF NOW. Take your thoughts away from the past or the future and just focus on the moment.
Finally, look around you and take in the world brand new, all over again. Look around and take in the sights, sounds and smells around you without any judging, any labelling, stereotyping or any mind comments. In other words just allow yourself to be a silent observer and just be. Are you still aware of what your mind is doing?
At first this may seem awkward and really hard for some, but allow yourself to become aware of your thoughts every time they slip away from you and re-focus. It will take some practice, more for some than for others, but use this day to practice just that – more being and less thinking.
No one is saying you have to do this all day. In fact it would be quite impossible for most of us as we live in a very noisy world and mind-numbing thoughts, worries, judgements and the like make up most of our days.
Hence, use this day to start perhaps a new trend in your life and see how good and freeing it feels. You will literally feel your stresses melting away. Then, try to incorporate this non-thinking into a perhaps small segment of every day and once you get better at it, try to increase your segments slowly.
Before you know it, you will be much more in conscious control of your thoughts and will enjoy the being part of you in a richer way than you ever thought possible.
If you are interested in more information, join Stephanie and Richard over at The Great American Think Out and become part of their on-going program to facilitate growth of the self.
Benefits of Less Thinking And More Being
Ah, where do I start with the benefits of incorporating what the Great American Think Out focuses on doing one day, into your everyday life?
For starters you will feel a decreased level of stress and anxiety. When you begin to be aware and control your thoughts, you start to be in control of choosing what you want to focus on and what you do not.
Secondly, you will increase your consciousness. This is huge on its own, as the more conscious you are the more you can be responsible for your thoughts, words and actions. No more burst outs that you later regret, no more promises to people that tie you down to things you never wanted to do in the first place or things said that you later wish you could take back.
Thirdly, increase your accountability. No one is in charge of your life, but you. No one is pulling your strings. There is no one to blame for what you have or don’t have. But it is only through increased consciousness that you can increase your accountability. When you become aware of your thoughts you have greater control to make the right decisions for you and have the life that you truly want.
Fourthly, increase your life satisfaction. There is nothing more relaxing and more enjoyable than just enjoying your being. When we can stop thoughts and just observe, when we can hold our words and just be silent, it is only then that our eyes and ears percive the wonderous things in this world that we miss on a daily basis due to our incessant and unconscious thoughts.
Finally, increase your creativity. When we are aware of our thoughts and enjoying being, it is then that our true self comes through loud and clear and out emerge creative thoughts. You are a creator by nature and it is only when we silence the daily unconscious thoughts, that we can bring out our creative conscious thoughts. This is how people find meaning and purpose in their life and no longer go around wondering what is it all for and what is their purpose in this thing called life.
So enjoy yourself today, by shutting down the wheels that constantly turn in your head with a cycle of vicious thoughts and enjoy today by just being – being aware – being complete and being YOU!
About the author:Evita Ochel, B.Sc., B.Ed., CHN - is the founder and editor of EvolvingBeings.com – an online publication featuring various topics on spirituality and metaphysics. Evita teaches consciousness expansion and heart-centered living to help people attain deep meaning, peace and happiness in their life. She is also a nutritional science and holistic health expert for optimal health and longevity. Learn more about Evita Ochel or Follow her on Twitter.
8 Comments to “The Great American Think Out”
This is very cool! I went to the site and will check it out more. I really live by this whole principle. In fact I can’t go a day without stopping my thinking….and just letting my brain and self “BE”.
It is the main reason I hike alone and not with other people. There is no better place (for me) to simsly “BE” than in Nature. It just automatically dissapates any chatter.
Studies have shown that just placing people in Nature, sitting in a chair amongst the trees or water, etc. that it lowers blood pressure, heart rate, stress levels, etc. The human body is intelligent and once in Nature will immediately align itself with the peace and energy around it. Nature is immense and can be extrenely calming.
Since I went years in the wild with absolutely NO mental chatter I immediately recognize when my brain is worn out, over used and filled with chatter…..and needs a break. I now try not to let it even get to that place. But when work is overwhelming and I find myself in that place….even if I only have a few minutes I will walk out to my garden or the backyard and simply listen to the birds and see/feel the flowers or snow. I calm down again and find my center. I forget myself in Nature and yet I am more aware that ever.
Thank you for writing about SUCH an important issue, especially today when life is so fast paced and computers and TV are rampant.
Hugs to you,
Rob
PS Am loving your comments on my site as well as other sites that we share. So filled with life and love. Thank you for facing life with an open heart. So beautiful. :)
Oh Robin you are such an extraordinary person!!! It is truly a pleasure to learn from you and with you.
I really appreciate that you were able to take out a few years and go into nature and really cleanse your mind. As much as I am and try to be aware and conscious of my thoughts and try to never get wrapped up in more than the moment of now, I still crave such an experience as you had! That must have been truly something as now you reap the benefits of being so in tune with your mind.
I feel the same about nature – there truly is no better place to just “BE”.
Evita, I signed up. It’s a wonderful way to stay focused on continuing to strive for “being” as much as possible. All too often, it’s easy to forget it. Our days just get away from us; we forget to stop for US. I’m so glad you shared this with us!
Julie – that is fantastic news and I am glad I found out about the work of Richard and Stephanie too. It is truly wonderful to spread the word and raise global consciousness!!!
Oh and it is easy to forget, especially in our world, so I assume it will be a great benefit to be reminded about “being” on a regular basis.
What you reflect resonates very much with my soul. I sense profound changes have been unfolding deep within me, especially since I moved to Australia. At times, moving away from what you think you know is a catalyst for rediscovering who you are. How I perceive time and what I do with it are part of my ongoing transformation. As I rediscover my own creative power, I am also tapping into other parts of myself I had forgotten about, but know inside. Your list of points related to “Being,” do these resonate with your own experience differently than before this moment? How would you describe your satisfaction?
Liara – these are fantastic additions both from your own perspective and reflections for me to consider.
Thank you :)
So to answer your 2 enriching questions:
1)The list of benefits of “Being” definitely resonates with me personally. I would not say that this event or the particular day had any significant effect on me because I try to and incorporate the idea of living consciously on a daily basis.
So as much as I love events like this to bring us back to base or serve as little reminders, I do not depend on them or wait for them to makes changes in my life.
As for stress and anxiety, even aside from spiritual side, I always knew how toxic this was from a health and physical perspective, so I developed a really efficient way of dealing with it. I was never a big fan of stress or anxiety – in fact I am a very easy going person, always was and for the past few years just keep building on this.
As for the accountability, ah, years ago I thought that problems in my life were due to “other” people, well not anymore – I create consciously all things in my life and take full accountability for when things don’t go perhaps exactly how I envisioned.
And the creation part, well that has been the best, as I listen more to my inner being, that just keeps growing and growing – and one way I am letting it out is through the Evolving Series sites. I just love this outlet!!! And the ideas I have for the future…oh may there always be enough time :)
2) Now as for your second question – my life satisfaction. Honestly I am so so so satisfied with life, and I live strongly out of appreciation and gratitude for everything in it. And it just continues to grow and expand.
But I will tell you one thing that still does not resonate with me perfectly and that is as consciously as I live, I feel that the typical “city” and “work” environment is somewhat limiting. Hence as Robin above said I would love to take not just a typical week or two vacation but some real serious time in nature. I know there is so much there to connect to and quiet the mind even more with.
Hence, I have put into momentum a change in my life to move me forward in this area and that is to free myself from the typical “city-work” environment and allow my spirit to reach new heights in a new environment. And one of those changes – like you will be to switch my home base, living area, at least for a significant chunk of the year.
Well Liara I have to say I have enjoyed this tremendously as you gave me a chance to reflect on these topics personally and publicly – thank you :)
This is a great idea — I live in Ireland at the moment and I’m going to see about extending it her and the UK!
What a fantastic blog — you bring together so much that is of interest to us all. I am very happy to have discovered you through Blog Catalog. My particular interest is in creativity (I am a novelist) — most specifically how taking creative techniques and approaches into our lives, rather than responding in rote, habitual, learned or analytical ways, can be ultra enriching.
Thanks for being there.
Orna
Evita, whenever your emotional gauge gives you a reading of discomfort, and you acknowledge it, this is a sign you are out of energy alignment. If you are aware certain aspects of your environment do not serve you, are not working or enabling you to be the best you can be, then you are invited to review your conditions and seriously consider positive changes.