So then let’s consider first of all
what is a mind in the grip a vicious circles.
Well one of the most obvious instances
that we all know is the phenomenon of worry.
The doctor tells you
that you have to have an operation.
And that has been set up so
that automatically everybody worries about it.
But since worrying takes away
your appetite and your sleep
it’s not good for you.
But you can’t stop worrying
and therefore you get additionally worried
that you are worrying.
And then furthermore because
that is quite absurd
and your mad at yourself
because you do it,
you are worried because you worry
because you worry.
That is a vicious circle.
So now, can you
allow your mind to be quiet?
Isn’t it difficult?
Because the mind seems to be like a monkey,
jumping up and down and jabbering all the time.
Once you’ve learned to think you can’t stop.
And an enormous number of people
devote their lives to keeping their minds busy
and feel extremely uncomfortable with silence.
When you’re alone
nobody’s saying anything, there’s nothing to do
just this worrying, this lack of distraction.
I’m left alone with myself
and I wanna get away from myself
I always want to get away myself.
That’s why I go to the movies,
that’s why I go to the donut shops,
That’s why I go after the girls or anything
or get drunk or whatever.
I don’t want to be with myself.
I feel queer.
So well why do you wanna run away from yourself?
What’s so bad about it?
Why do you want to forget this?
Why do you want to become yourself?
Because you are addicted to thoughts.
This is a drug, too dangerous one.
Compulsive thinking, on and on and on
and on all the time.
It’s a habit.
So there’s a difficulty
about stopping that activity.
And you really have to stop it
if you want to be sane.
Because if I talk all the time
I don’t hear what anyone else has to say.
And I’ll end up in the situation of having nothing
to talk about but my own talking.
And so exactly the same way
if I think all the time
I won’t have anything
to think about except thoughts.
So in order to have something to think about,
there are times when you simply
must stop thinking.
Well, how do you do that?
The first rule is don’t try to.
Because if you do,
you will be like someone trying
to make rough water smooth with a flatiron.
And all that will do will stir it up.
So in the same way
as a muddy turbulent pool
quiets itself when left alone,
you have to know
how to leave your mind alone.
Only Then…will it quiet itself.

-Alan Watts