Checklist “Whose Thoughts Are Living in My Head?”
Checklists
We do not notice how we begin to think thoughts that are not our own. They sound like ours — but in reality, they are a repetition of someone else’s beliefs, fears, prohibitions, and expectations.
Take a specific thought or belief as a starting point and answer the questions honestly. It is possible that some of what you believe, you never actually chose.
Questions:
Did this thought appear after news / social media / a conversation?
Have I ever tested it against reality?
Who benefits from me believing this?
Do I feel this as mine… or as something imposed?
Who first told me this?
Have I ever questioned this thought?
Does this thought help me act… or does it stop me?
Do I repeat this automatically or consciously choose it?
Does this thought make me stronger… or more convenient?
Would I pass this thought on to my child as a belief?
How to interpret the results
What matters here is not “how many correct answers,” but the feeling that arises.
Often, other people’s thoughts and imposed beliefs (when we live within the field of other people’s expectations) limit us, cause anxiety, block action, and create a sense of discomfort — when we seem to be doing what we “should,” but inside there is still an unpleasant feeling, as if someone told us that this is how it “should” be, but we ourselves do not actually think so. Imposed beliefs can also cause aggression.
If you answered “I don’t know” to most of the questions, or you are unsure of your answers and doubt a lot, this may mean that this belief no longer feels like the truth, but a new one has not yet formed.
If a thought gives a feeling of freedom, support, confidence, clarity, and calm, then most likely, at this stage of your life, it is already your belief, and not just someone else’s imposed idea. This does not mean that it is right or wrong. And it does not mean that it will stay with you forever. It only means that, at this moment, this belief is part of your identity.
Any beliefs (ours or imposed) influence our actions and trigger a chain of events. If you have strongly believed in imposed beliefs, you should understand that the consequences will still affect YOUR life. For example, you believed in an idea based on hatred toward someone or something. You were told this on television. It is not necessary that you will express this hatred toward the object that is labeled as the “problem” or “enemy” in this idea. But you will, at the very least, experience this feeling of hatred when you think about this idea or discuss it with someone. Aggression and irritation may arise in you, and sooner or later this may manifest in some situation where you express that aggression or attract an unpleasant situation into your life. Because energy does not disappear — it transforms into another state. The energy of hatred and aggression must, in one way or another, transform into something. But this may have nothing to do with the idea where it all started.
Aggression is just an example. Other people’s thoughts and imposed beliefs can also make us doubt ourselves, fear taking a step, close doors for us (when we miss opportunities because of imposed beliefs), slow down our development, and lead us away from our path. And, of course, they can weaken our connection with the soul.
Informational and spiritual hygiene are just as important as physical hygiene.
