avatarPretheesh Presannan

Summary

The article discusses the overuse of the thinking mind as a tool and the importance of regaining control over it to improve mental health.

Abstract

The article "To Not Do" delves into the concept of mental health by suggesting that the root cause of mental distress may not be the misuse of the thinking mind, but rather its excessive use. It posits that the mind, while a valuable tool, has taken over to an unhealthy extent, leading to a loss of freedom and a blindness to its overbearing influence. The author argues that the key to mental well-being is not to fix or change the mind but to reclaim control from it and to recognize its proper place. The text emphasizes the need to pause and truly see what is happening without the constant operation of the mind, advocating for the strength to refrain from action and thought, and to trust in the clarity that comes from not engaging with the mind's incessant activity. The article concludes by distinguishing between rational faith, which is based on personal observation and thought, and irrational faith, which relies on authority or majority opinion, suggesting that true strength lies in open and alert seeing, not in the mind's endless problem-solving.

Opinions

  • The author believes that the thinking mind has been overused to the point of enslavement, dictating our actions and thoughts.
  • Mental health issues may stem from an over-dependence on the thinking mind rather than its improper use.
  • The mind, as a tool, should not be the focus of mental health treatment; instead, we should aim to regain control over it.
  • Continuously using the mind to solve problems is seen as a symptom of mental illness, not a solution.
  • The article suggests that we need to practice the art of 'not doing' and seeing without the interference of the mind.
  • It is proposed that we are not blind but choose not to see, implying that we have the innate ability to observe clearly without mental chatter.
  • The mind's attempts to solve problems are described as futile because it often does not understand the true nature of these problems.
  • True strength is found in the ability to see with the 'inner eye' rather than relying on the mind's interpretations.
  • The author warns against the trap of believing that the mind's strength is our own, emphasizing the importance of independent observation and thought.
  • The article cites Erich Fromm to differentiate between rational faith, which is based on personal conviction, and irrational faith, which is acceptance based on authority or majority.

To Not Do

Exploring mental health in a different direction

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

doing doing doing doing what exactly doing thinking using the thinking mind for everything a tool that has to be operated on purpose had enslaved us too far to the point, it decides for us thanks to our inner-laziness we had lost our freedom yet blissfully unaware or purposefully blind a tool that has its place had become the whole world

perhaps, mental health is not a case of not using the tool properly but rather a case of excessive use of the tool a case of over-dependence on a mere tool the tool does not need a fix the tool does not need a change in the way it operates what is required is to get back the control from the tool and leave the fucking tool alone for what it is worth useful trying to cure mental health using the tool is nothing but a symptom of mental illness(?) if so we must be kidding ourselves

we need to exercise seeing to pause and see what is happening to learn to get the tool operation out of the way not using the same tool — that is not the way to stop continuing the laziness and excuses for not able to not do but in recovering our strength to not do which can only happen in pure seeing to get back the ability to see after all, it is not that we are blind, but refusing to see

the tool can’t stop on purpose the tool will only say: “Give it to me I will take care” and so we happily remain blind to our own strength tool throws the imaginary problem tool endlessly tries to solve it tool has no sense on what it is doing to see that it does not have a fucking clue and that we do not even have to depend on thoughts to make it easier for us or to bear our discomforts is how we could get back our freedom and choice to exercise relaxing the trust in the tool and to risk and just be and let clear the mess

we think the tool’s strength is our strength our strength is to open and see with our inner-eye — gentle and alert not to remain blind and lazily hope that tool has the cure — always not yet, never ever. careful to serve the cure, not the illness.

While irrational faith is the acceptance of something as true only BECAUSE an authority or the majority say so, rational faith is rooted in an independent conviction based upon one’s own productive observing and thinking, IN SPITE OF the majority’s opinion. — Erich Fromm

Mental Health
Meditation Notes
Poetry
Creative Writing
Pretheesh Presannan
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