‘Non cognito ergo sum.’ (I do not think, therefore I am.)
Who is it who is thinking up there?
What is she or he thinking about all day?
It is quite amazing to realize how much noise is going on in our mind.
It is quite bewildering to further realize that we are actually not the masters of our own minds.
Somebody else must be in control because we are obviously not. As odd as this may sound, it is an accurate description of the situation. And if you happen to think you can describe the situation better, we suggest that you put it to a test.
Isn’t it essential to find out what’s going on with the mind?
So let us ask the question once again – do you think that you control your mind?
If you agree with our assertion that you are actually not in control, the necessary question is – who, then, is in control of the mind?
But if you think that you do control your mind, put this assumption to a simple test that will take just a couple of moments of your time.
Now, don’t let the mind suggest that you should avoid this exercise, since if you are not in control, somebody up there is worried that you might find out.
Decide to satisfy your own curiosity. Invest five minutes and find out for yourself.
You can do it immediately if you have the time and the right setting, or later if the present circumstances are not appropriate. Nevertheless, please do it today.
The exercise is very simple:
You’ll sit for five minutes in a quiet room.
Make sure there is as little noise as possible – no TV or radio in the background, no clamor of your kids playing or your partner on the phone, or the buzz of your workplace. You want tranquil surroundings: a quiet place and a quiet time.
If possible, sit in a dark or dimly lit room (whether at night or in a room with heavy curtains) to isolate your eyes from bright light. If this is not feasible, never mind – the experiment will work if you simply close your eyes softly.
Set an alarm for five minutes’ time and activate it.
All you have to do now is sit still with your eyes closed, with as little stimulation as possible on all your other sensory faculties. Try to remain isolated in the realm of your mind.
Now if you are the boss, the master of your mind, command it to stop thinking for five minutes. Then for the next five minutes just sit quietly without thinking at all.
As this is an extremely difficult task, let us give you some assistance. Breathe naturally, in and out through your nose.
Focus your entire attention on your breath but do not try to control it. Just observe carefully as it enters your nostrils and nasal passages, then down the windpipe, filling your lungs until your chest expands. Then observe attentively how the chest collapses as the expired air gently brushes your upper lip.
This attention should fully occupy your mind and allow you a short break from the endless thought process. Keep your focus on your breath and watch it for just five minutes.
This beautiful experiment that takes only five minutes will enlighten you with an incredible discovery. You will discover that you are either in control of your mind or that you are not.
If you find out that you are in control of your mind, that’s fantastic. Congratulations, as you are a person with extraordinary mental prowess and, as such, you can go ahead and quit smoking immediately. After all, you have discovered that you are the boss of the mind department and the discovery should have a tremendously empowering effect on you.
But you will probably discover that you are far from being the boss. You may well realize that not only did you fail to sit quietly with a still mind for five minutes, you couldn’t keep it still for even five seconds!
If this is the case, you have discovered that your mind is a wild beast. It is all over the place and the thoughts are running everywhere, out of control. Your mind is like a radio with the search button pressed – it keeps darting from station to station with little reason or consistency. It never stops and it has no focus.
This discovery should make you think: ‘If I am not the boss of my mind, then who the hell is the boss?’
Please try the experiment to experience the situation for yourself. This program is about Philosophy in Action, but the philosophy by itself is like an airplane with only one wing – it won’t take you anywhere.
If you want to soar high, you need two wings. The philosophy needs action and it is your responsibility to provide it.
You may decide to postpone this simple experiment and never get around to it, or you may just stick to the attitude of undermining and judge the experiment as nonsense and a total waste of time. Please consider that this is your mind manipulating you for fear that you’ll discover it is running out of control.
If you want to harness your mind and make it serve you as it should, you have to start with this simple lesson about things as they really are.
Another reason why you shouldn’t skip or postpone it is that this exercise will lead to others.
Best of luck! | 
