Two Easily Remembered Questions That Silence Negative Thoughts | Anthony Metivier | TEDxDocklands

Summary

In this personal narrative, the speaker shares a transformative journey of learning to quiet the mind and achieve lasting peace. After years of struggling with mental suffering and medication, they discover the power of Sanskrit and self-inquiry techniques, introduced by a friend. Through simple practices like asking 'Are my thoughts useful?' the speaker learns to neutralize mental noise and find inner peace. The story combines personal struggles with practical meditation insights, offering a powerful tool for anyone seeking to calm their mind and embrace more mindful living.

Takeaways

• 😀 The mind can be quieted on demand, creating a state of perfect wellness that lasts.
• 😀 Years of mental suffering and attempts to suppress thoughts led to experimentation with antidepressants, antipsychotics, and alcohol.
• 😀 A skeptical view of meditation and spiritual practices, influenced by atheism, initially made it hard to believe in the possibility of quieting the mind.
• 😀 The concept of Persistent Non-Symbolic Experience (PNS) introduced by a friend changed the perspective on silencing thoughts.
• 😀 Gary Weber's method involves memorizing Sanskrit phrases, which, when practiced, help to neutralize mental noise and reduce thought patterns.
• 😀 The practice of observing whether thoughts are useful or how they behave can help neutralize unwanted mental noise.
• 😀 The author used memory techniques in the past to cope with depression and brain fog, bringing a practical and intellectual approach to the Sanskrit method.
• 😀 The Sanskrit memorization technique is not just about learning a language, but about neutralizing mental patterns through repetition and focus.
• 😀 Eckhart Tolle's teachings on the 'now' and Aldous Huxley's concept of blindness and insanity highlight the potential for transformation through the right mental approach.
• 😀 The key to quieting the mind is not about chasing away thoughts but simply neutralizing them by asking simple questions like 'Are my thoughts useful?'
• 😀 Through daily practice, the author experienced increasing moments of mental stillness, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach.

Q & A

What was the main struggle the speaker faced regarding their thoughts?

The speaker struggled with incessant, overwhelming thoughts and sought ways to silence or control them. They turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms like medication and alcohol, but found no lasting peace.

What was the turning point that led the speaker to explore meditation as a solution?

The turning point came when the speaker's friend, Ben, introduced them to the idea of meditation and the concept of PNS (Persistent Non-Symbolic Experience). The speaker was initially skeptical but became interested after learning that it might be a secular way to quiet the mind.

How did the speaker feel about the idea of 'shutting off' their thoughts at the beginning?

Initially, the speaker was skeptical about the idea of shutting off thoughts, associating it with 'woo-woo' mysticism. They believed that thoughts, especially meaningful and radiant thoughts, were essential for intellectual and philosophical engagement.

What role did Sanskrit play in the speaker's journey to quiet the mind?

Sanskrit played a central role in the speaker’s journey. The memorization of Sanskrit phrases, as recommended by Gary Weber, was used to disrupt the mind's noise. The focus wasn't on the meaning of the words, but on their ability to neutralize mental patterns.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Are my thoughts useful? How do they behave?'

The phrase 'Are my thoughts useful? How do they behave?' serves as a tool to break the automatic cycle of negative or distracting thoughts. By asking these questions, the speaker learned to observe and disrupt their thoughts, allowing them to fade unless they were truly useful.

How does the speaker describe the nature of the mind in their journey to mental peace?

The speaker describes the mind as an undisciplined child that believes itself to be in control. They emphasize that the true realization comes when one recognizes the folly of the mind and learns to manage it rather than be controlled by it.

What philosophical concept did the speaker encounter through their practice, and how did it influence their view on thoughts?

The speaker encountered the philosophical concept of self-inquiry, which emphasizes observing and extracting value from all thoughts, even those that are disliked. This concept helped the speaker understand the importance of not being attached to preferences of 'like' and 'dislike'.

What is the 'like/dislike monster,' and how does it impact our ability to quiet the mind?

The 'like/dislike monster' refers to the tendency of the mind to cling to what we like and reject what we dislike. This attachment to preferences creates inner turmoil and prevents mental peace. The speaker suggests that overcoming this attachment helps to neutralize mental noise.

How did the speaker’s use of memory techniques influence their approach to meditation?

The speaker’s background in memory techniques made them open to the idea of memorizing Sanskrit. Their experience with memorization helped them commit to the practice and use it as a tool for quieting their mind, as the structure of memorized patterns disrupted habitual thinking.

What does the speaker mean by 'neutralizing thoughts' instead of eliminating them?

The speaker distinguishes 'neutralizing' thoughts from 'eliminating' them. Neutralizing means reducing their impact without forcefully trying to stop them, allowing for a peaceful state where thoughts don't dominate or distract. It's about creating space for stillness rather than silencing every thought.