A THREAD on profound ideas shared by The Ancient Sage (@TheAncientSage):
1/
The universe is a reflection of your mind. It reflects you back.
If you don't like the reflection, look within yourself.
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The universe is a reflection of your mind. It reflects you back.
If you don't like the reflection, look within yourself.
2/
Schools should teach us how to think, instead they fill our heads with irrelevant knowledge.
Health care should teach us how to eat for optimal health, instead it fills our bodies with dubious chemicals.
This is what happens when you abdicate self responsibility to others.
Schools should teach us how to think, instead they fill our heads with irrelevant knowledge.
Health care should teach us how to eat for optimal health, instead it fills our bodies with dubious chemicals.
This is what happens when you abdicate self responsibility to others.
3/
Toxins consumed by people on a daily basis:
1 sugar
2 vegetable oils
3 TV
4 excessive/indiscriminate social media
5 "socialization"
6 hurriedness
7 political & celebrity gossip
8 news
9 "friends"
10 social approval/validation
Toxins consumed by people on a daily basis:
1 sugar
2 vegetable oils
3 TV
4 excessive/indiscriminate social media
5 "socialization"
6 hurriedness
7 political & celebrity gossip
8 news
9 "friends"
10 social approval/validation
4/
There are two types of work.
One that makes us feel busy and productive. The other that is actually productive.
Much of our time is spent working but accomplishing nothing.
You don't have to be busy all the time to be productive.
You just need clarity of vision and focus.
There are two types of work.
One that makes us feel busy and productive. The other that is actually productive.
Much of our time is spent working but accomplishing nothing.
You don't have to be busy all the time to be productive.
You just need clarity of vision and focus.
5/
Focus is not so much a way to accomplish something. It's a byproduct.
You don't focus. Focus happens.
It happens when you're doing something so interesting that you get immersed in it.
Focus is not so much a way to accomplish something. It's a byproduct.
You don't focus. Focus happens.
It happens when you're doing something so interesting that you get immersed in it.
6/
Simplicity, clarity and focus.
The holy trinity of the minimalist.
Simplicity, clarity and focus.
The holy trinity of the minimalist.
7/
"He who blames others has a long way to go on his journey. He who blames himself is halfway there. He who blames no one has arrived." - Chinese Proverb
"He who blames others has a long way to go on his journey. He who blames himself is halfway there. He who blames no one has arrived." - Chinese Proverb
8/
A change in circumstances may give you some relief but it cannot put an end to your misery.
Soon you'll adapt to your situation & find new problems to worry about.
The only thing that liberates is inner transformation.
Stop fighting the world. Start confronting yourself.
A change in circumstances may give you some relief but it cannot put an end to your misery.
Soon you'll adapt to your situation & find new problems to worry about.
The only thing that liberates is inner transformation.
Stop fighting the world. Start confronting yourself.
9/
The search for truth is a solo endeavor.
You can't take friends or family on this trip. Can't take even yourself (your opinions, assumptions) there. Everything is left behind. The you that embarks on this journey is not the you that returns from it. Truth doesn't compromise.
The search for truth is a solo endeavor.
You can't take friends or family on this trip. Can't take even yourself (your opinions, assumptions) there. Everything is left behind. The you that embarks on this journey is not the you that returns from it. Truth doesn't compromise.
10/
A man has learned nothing until he learns that he is the source of his personal reality.
He creates his own reality, and is responsible for it.
The centre of his power and his universe lies within him.
The outer is nothing but the manifestation of the inner.
A man has learned nothing until he learns that he is the source of his personal reality.
He creates his own reality, and is responsible for it.
The centre of his power and his universe lies within him.
The outer is nothing but the manifestation of the inner.
11/
Don't treat yourself like a machine.
You're not a robot; you're an organic being.
You treat yourself like a machine when you impose a strict routine on yourself that does not harmonize with your inner being.
Be sensitive to your inner guidance system.
Don't treat yourself like a machine.
You're not a robot; you're an organic being.
You treat yourself like a machine when you impose a strict routine on yourself that does not harmonize with your inner being.
Be sensitive to your inner guidance system.
12/
Death will take everything away. Think about that.
Everything you've accumulated, fought for, worried over, everything will go.
Why not let it all go now when you're still living.
Renounce it mentally.
Then you can live freely & fearlessly because you've nothing to lose.
Death will take everything away. Think about that.
Everything you've accumulated, fought for, worried over, everything will go.
Why not let it all go now when you're still living.
Renounce it mentally.
Then you can live freely & fearlessly because you've nothing to lose.
13/
The clock is ticking.
If something is really important to you, do it now. Or it may never get done.
The illusion of a tomorrow is the biggest waster of lives.
The clock is ticking.
If something is really important to you, do it now. Or it may never get done.
The illusion of a tomorrow is the biggest waster of lives.
14/
Live as if you're alone in the world. No one is watching you. You don't have to please anyone or live up to their expectations or fear their judgment. Also, you shouldn't expect anything from anyone or judge anyone. To be free of others, free them from your own expectations.
Live as if you're alone in the world. No one is watching you. You don't have to please anyone or live up to their expectations or fear their judgment. Also, you shouldn't expect anything from anyone or judge anyone. To be free of others, free them from your own expectations.
15/
The language of wisdom is silence.
The language of wisdom is silence.
16/
One of the most important skills you can learn is to Let Go.
Do not accumulate psychological baggage by mentally revisiting a situation again and again.
Release it completely as if it never happened.
Let your mind return immediately to the present moment.
One of the most important skills you can learn is to Let Go.
Do not accumulate psychological baggage by mentally revisiting a situation again and again.
Release it completely as if it never happened.
Let your mind return immediately to the present moment.
17/
Some people read a lot but absorb very little. They keep reading & telling others how many books they've read. Don't be the person who displays his knowledge to others but remains unaffected by it.
Knowledge is not something to be hoarded; it's a tool to improve one's life.
Some people read a lot but absorb very little. They keep reading & telling others how many books they've read. Don't be the person who displays his knowledge to others but remains unaffected by it.
Knowledge is not something to be hoarded; it's a tool to improve one's life.
18/
Living unconsciously is a form of slow, gradual suicide.
If you don't live wakefully it doesn't matter whether you die now or go on to live a hundred years.
You miss life all the same.
Living unconsciously is a form of slow, gradual suicide.
If you don't live wakefully it doesn't matter whether you die now or go on to live a hundred years.
You miss life all the same.
19/
A good learner learns from his own experience.
A great learner learns from others' experience.
He learns from observation.
If you rely only on personal experience, you learn slowly and suffer much.
If you learn from others, you avoid unnecessary suffering.
A good learner learns from his own experience.
A great learner learns from others' experience.
He learns from observation.
If you rely only on personal experience, you learn slowly and suffer much.
If you learn from others, you avoid unnecessary suffering.
20/
Understanding is far more important than knowledge.
Knowledge is quantitative. It is information. It remains peripheral.
Understanding is qualitative. It penetrates your heart & permeates your being.
Knowledge boosts the ego but only understanding brings transformation.
Understanding is far more important than knowledge.
Knowledge is quantitative. It is information. It remains peripheral.
Understanding is qualitative. It penetrates your heart & permeates your being.
Knowledge boosts the ego but only understanding brings transformation.
21/
You are not really open minded if you are not open to the total annihilation of your belief system.
Clinging to any ideology, whether religious or secular, limits your thinking thereby making you less vulnerable to truth.
You are not really open minded if you are not open to the total annihilation of your belief system.
Clinging to any ideology, whether religious or secular, limits your thinking thereby making you less vulnerable to truth.
22/
Fast thinking looks cool but it's deep thinking that makes all the difference.
And deep thinking is always slow thinking.
Fast thinking looks cool but it's deep thinking that makes all the difference.
And deep thinking is always slow thinking.
23/
If a person doesn't want to be happy you can't do anything to make them happy.
If someone wants to be happy you don't need to do anything to make them happy.
Either way you are not needed.
If you can help in any way it is by being happy yourself.
If a person doesn't want to be happy you can't do anything to make them happy.
If someone wants to be happy you don't need to do anything to make them happy.
Either way you are not needed.
If you can help in any way it is by being happy yourself.
24/
People don't want truth.
They want validation for their opinions.
They don't want you to change their minds.
They want you to corroborate their a priori beliefs.
Remember this whenever you feel the urge to correct or convince someone.
People don't want truth.
They want validation for their opinions.
They don't want you to change their minds.
They want you to corroborate their a priori beliefs.
Remember this whenever you feel the urge to correct or convince someone.
25/
The only rule of life is you cannot complain.
Do whatever you like. Just don't complain. It is the most futile thing there is.
For nothing is changed by complaining about life.
It is what it is & you have no choice in the matter.
The more you resist the more you suffer.
The only rule of life is you cannot complain.
Do whatever you like. Just don't complain. It is the most futile thing there is.
For nothing is changed by complaining about life.
It is what it is & you have no choice in the matter.
The more you resist the more you suffer.
26/
Don't try to convince anyone.
People who have already made up their mind won't be dissuaded from it.
The rare few who're open and receptive don't require effort to be persuaded of a more valid point of view.
Don't try to convince anyone.
People who have already made up their mind won't be dissuaded from it.
The rare few who're open and receptive don't require effort to be persuaded of a more valid point of view.
27/
The best way to read is to think about what you read.
The best way to think is to write.
If your reading does not lead to writing then there is something wrong.
It means your reading is passive; it does not stimulate you to think for yourself.
The best way to read is to think about what you read.
The best way to think is to write.
If your reading does not lead to writing then there is something wrong.
It means your reading is passive; it does not stimulate you to think for yourself.
28/
Freedom is the absence of attachment.
More attachment, less freedom.
Less attachment, more freedom.
Freedom is the absence of attachment.
More attachment, less freedom.
Less attachment, more freedom.
29/
Just by being honest with yourself you can rise above 99.99% of humanity.
It may not be easy but then if things worth doing were easy they would be commonplace.
Exceptional people are exceptional precisely because they refuse to take the easy way out.
Just by being honest with yourself you can rise above 99.99% of humanity.
It may not be easy but then if things worth doing were easy they would be commonplace.
Exceptional people are exceptional precisely because they refuse to take the easy way out.
30/
Most of the worries are generated by the mind automatically, without your permission.
The default state of the mind is to be concerned about something all the time.
A person remains a prisoner of his thoughts unless he creates a distance between himself and his mind.
Most of the worries are generated by the mind automatically, without your permission.
The default state of the mind is to be concerned about something all the time.
A person remains a prisoner of his thoughts unless he creates a distance between himself and his mind.
31/
Have a positive mindset. Have faith that things will turn out well. This mindset is the foundation for whatever you want to accomplish. If you don't think things will go your way, they won't. If you think they'll then they will. Your thinking shapes reality. Be mindful of it
Have a positive mindset. Have faith that things will turn out well. This mindset is the foundation for whatever you want to accomplish. If you don't think things will go your way, they won't. If you think they'll then they will. Your thinking shapes reality. Be mindful of it
32/
Live in observer mode. Observe, be meditative. Don't waste energy in small talk & unnecessary busy-ness.
Lay back, relax, observe, appreciate. Just be. Don't be in a hurry to take sides. Don't impose anything.
Be a detached, amused observer of your life. Let yourself flow.
Live in observer mode. Observe, be meditative. Don't waste energy in small talk & unnecessary busy-ness.
Lay back, relax, observe, appreciate. Just be. Don't be in a hurry to take sides. Don't impose anything.
Be a detached, amused observer of your life. Let yourself flow.
33/
If you want to learn, observe yourself for just a single day.
You will learn more this way than you can by reading a thousand books.
If you want to learn, observe yourself for just a single day.
You will learn more this way than you can by reading a thousand books.
34/
Being honest to yourself will take you much further as a thinker than those who are more intelligent than you but not as honest.
Being honest to yourself will take you much further as a thinker than those who are more intelligent than you but not as honest.
35/
Self improvement is an illusion. It is surface change.
Fundamentally you remain the same.
Self transformation is the real deal.
Improvement means more of the same. It's quantitative.
Transformation is qualitative. It's a rebirth.
Self improvement is an illusion. It is surface change.
Fundamentally you remain the same.
Self transformation is the real deal.
Improvement means more of the same. It's quantitative.
Transformation is qualitative. It's a rebirth.
36/
How to develop emotional control:
Withdraw attention from external drama. Stop giving it your energy. Disconnect.
The situation has no power of its own. It's fed by your energy. You breathe life into it.
Shift your perspective from external to internal locus of control.
How to develop emotional control:
Withdraw attention from external drama. Stop giving it your energy. Disconnect.
The situation has no power of its own. It's fed by your energy. You breathe life into it.
Shift your perspective from external to internal locus of control.
37/
If you simply remain with the problem, don't run away from it or find escape in some distraction, the problem will either be solved or dissolved.
No problem can survive confrontation.
Problems exist only in the darkness of unawareness.
If you simply remain with the problem, don't run away from it or find escape in some distraction, the problem will either be solved or dissolved.
No problem can survive confrontation.
Problems exist only in the darkness of unawareness.
38/
In a world of insane talkers, silence is a great therapy.
Talk strengthens the ego, silence nourishes the spirit.
In a world of insane talkers, silence is a great therapy.
Talk strengthens the ego, silence nourishes the spirit.
39/
If you don't get pleasure from praise you won't be hurt by criticism.
When you derive your self image from others' feedback you become a slave to their judgment.
Freedom is knowing that others' opinion whether positive or negative has no bearing on who you truly are.
If you don't get pleasure from praise you won't be hurt by criticism.
When you derive your self image from others' feedback you become a slave to their judgment.
Freedom is knowing that others' opinion whether positive or negative has no bearing on who you truly are.
40/
If you don't care about what others think, you don't need a lot of stuff to be happy.
That need for stuff was just to impress other people or to keep up with them.
And that is no longer relevant after you truly cease to care about what they think.
If you don't care about what others think, you don't need a lot of stuff to be happy.
That need for stuff was just to impress other people or to keep up with them.
And that is no longer relevant after you truly cease to care about what they think.
41/
The more goals you pursue at the same time, the less the chances that any of them will materialize. Simplify.
Focus on one thing and let everything else go.
Resist the urge to do many things simultaneously.
Simplify, prioritize, and focus.
The more goals you pursue at the same time, the less the chances that any of them will materialize. Simplify.
Focus on one thing and let everything else go.
Resist the urge to do many things simultaneously.
Simplify, prioritize, and focus.
42/
Focus is the secret. With focus you can move mountains.
Without focus you will spill your energy indiscriminately and unfruitfully.
When you're focused you are in control.
When you're distracted you are being controlled by the external situation.
Focus is the secret. With focus you can move mountains.
Without focus you will spill your energy indiscriminately and unfruitfully.
When you're focused you are in control.
When you're distracted you are being controlled by the external situation.
43/
One thing is clear: those who wish to change the world don't want to change themselves. Change yourself & the world changes. At least your world will change. And that is all that matters. I know you sincerely want to save the world, but it makes sense to first save yourself.
One thing is clear: those who wish to change the world don't want to change themselves. Change yourself & the world changes. At least your world will change. And that is all that matters. I know you sincerely want to save the world, but it makes sense to first save yourself.
44/
Stop listening to people just because they are older than you. An older idiot is no less of an idiot just for being older. If anything, they are more likely to be entrenched in their delusional beliefs. Age deserves respect only to the extent to which it has led to maturity.
Stop listening to people just because they are older than you. An older idiot is no less of an idiot just for being older. If anything, they are more likely to be entrenched in their delusional beliefs. Age deserves respect only to the extent to which it has led to maturity.
45/
The chaos you see outside is within you. It's your own projection.
When you're calm from within, you cease to create chaos without.
And even if the external chaos is there, it no longer affects you.
The world is turbulent if you're turbulent. It's calm when you're calm.
The chaos you see outside is within you. It's your own projection.
When you're calm from within, you cease to create chaos without.
And even if the external chaos is there, it no longer affects you.
The world is turbulent if you're turbulent. It's calm when you're calm.
46/
Medicine today is the most advanced it's ever been. Yet people are the most sick they've ever been.
This suggests good health has little to do with medicine. Rather it's about how you eat, move and feel.
Medicine is for the ill, if you seek health you must look elsewhere.
Medicine today is the most advanced it's ever been. Yet people are the most sick they've ever been.
This suggests good health has little to do with medicine. Rather it's about how you eat, move and feel.
Medicine is for the ill, if you seek health you must look elsewhere.
47/
How will you make others happy when you yourself are miserable?
How will you save the world when you feel insecure?
How will you give to others when you yourself are needy?
First make yourself whole by filling the holes within.
How will you make others happy when you yourself are miserable?
How will you save the world when you feel insecure?
How will you give to others when you yourself are needy?
First make yourself whole by filling the holes within.
