We cannot change the mind, but we can understand how it reacts to a situation. You know what situations are. So if you think you can change the reaction or properties of your mind, it will be an infinite fight between you and your brain—or your mind. You know what I’m trying to say—as I’ve said, “you” and “your brain” are two different things. When you know how to separate yourself from your reaction, or not the feeling, change starts. – Anshu Pathak
Explained here ——
The Mind and You: Two Different Things
Imagine your mind as a machine that reacts to situations—things like stress, joy, or challenges. These reactions, like feeling angry or anxious, often happen automatically. The writer suggests that “you” and “your mind” are not the same. You are the one observing those reactions, not the reactions themselves. For example, when someone cuts you off in traffic, your mind might instantly spark with anger. That’s your mind reacting, but you don’t have to fully identify with that anger.
Why Fighting Your Mind Doesn’t Work
Trying to force your mind to stop reacting a certain way—like telling yourself, “I shouldn’t be angry!”—can feel like an endless battle. The writer calls this an “infinite fight” because the mind has its own way of processing situations, shaped by habits, experiences, and biology. Instead of fighting your mind, the key is to understand how it responds and why.
The Power of Separation
Here’s where change begins: when you learn to separate yourself from your mind’s reactions. This doesn’t mean ignoring your feelings or pretending they don’t exist. It means noticing them without letting them take over. For instance, if you’re nervous before a big presentation, you might say to yourself, “My mind is feeling anxious right now, but that’s just a reaction—it’s not all of who I am.” By doing this, you create a small space between you and the reaction, giving you room to choose how to respond.
How to Start
- Notice Your Reactions: Pay attention to how your mind responds to situations. Are you quick to get frustrated? Do you feel overwhelmed easily? Just observe without judging.
- Pause and Reflect: When you feel a strong emotion, take a moment to breathe and recognize it as your mind’s reaction, not your entire self.
- Choose Your Response: Once you’ve created that separation, you can decide how to act. Maybe you still feel angry, but you choose to speak calmly instead of lashing out.
- Practice Patience: Understanding your mind takes time. Be kind to yourself as you learn to observe rather than fight your reactions.
A New Way Forward
By seeing your mind’s reactions as separate from who you are, you gain the power to respond to life’s challenges with more clarity and control. You’re not changing your mind’s wiring—you’re changing how you relate to it. This simple shift can open the door to real, lasting change.
Anshu Pathak is a passionate writer and avid reader whose love for stories shapes her world. With a heart full of imagination, she weaves tales that resonate with emotion and depth. When she’s not crafting her next piece, you can find her lost in the pages of a novel, exploring new worlds and perspectives. At Moodframe Space, Anshu shares her creative journey, offering insights, stories, and reflections that inspire and connect with readers everywhere.