Change Your Mind

At times, the mind can seem unwieldy, unpredictable, even unfathomable. It can change from abiding in a state of lofty consciousness to hosting feelings of fear, anger, grief or terror.  When such feelings overtake us, what should be done, and what is not to be done? These questions touch a universal chord for seekers and pilgrims alike, with different degrees of urgency.

We gain valuable perspective on how to transform the state of the mind by contemplating our experience, especially when crafty ‘maras’ or troubled thoughts kidnap our attention. We intercept them with our trusted ally – keen mindful moment-by-moment awareness. We are learning to bear witness to our experience with insight, skill, and balance.

Bearing witness means seeing with the eye of Dhamma, that is, seeing truthfully. We investigate how blind, mischievous, or heedless the mind can be. Acting in haste or from an agitated state of mind, with flawed or unwholesome intention, is both self harming and harmful to others. Once we stop reeling from greed, insecurity, hatred, fear, or sorrow, the heart can be restored to peace and pure present moment awareness.

Such a benevolent shift confers poise, stamina, and clarity. Our awareness supports unwavering perseverance and focused attention within the heart, a recipe for mindful reconciliation, sati saraniya, in times of struggle or upheaval.

In 1973, I sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in a small yacht with three other young adventurers. We encountered the headwinds of a hurricane. It was both unforgettable and terrifying.  I learned how to navigate in a gale. Now, 54 years later, I remember how helpless we were. But we sailed through that monstrous storm.

On the sea of life, we are like sailors, sometimes caught in a horrific gale – within the cruel rapids of the mind itself. Our human journey can be likened to sailing a small vessel on one of Earth’s oceans. If we navigate on course during a powerful windstorm, we can at least escape calamity by ‘tacking‘ our boat of life.

‘Tacking’ is a nautical term for sailing upwind in a zigzag fashion to keep us on course even in fierce winds. Eventually, we reach port without compromise. So it is with crossing the inner storms of the heart. It might feel impossible to lighten intense feelings of fear or hatred. But tacking enables us to sail safely through. We steer mindfully, wisely, conscientiously, courageously.

1. WITNESS, ASSESS, KNOW: Stop, observe, and take stock. Avoid rushing into gear but first see the inner state of the mind clearly. Is there any real imminent danger?
2. RETURN TO PRESENT MOMENT AWARENESS: Steady the mind here and now. Breathe and stay present, aware, deeply knowing the impermanence, suffering and emptiness of thought currents. Feel the blessing of gratitude for this life, for this breath arising right now – vital tools for ‘staying the course‘.
3. OBSERVE and LISTEN:  Observe and feel what you feel;  listen to the sound of silence. Be aware. Know the breath as it arises and falls away. Continuously return to knowing – a soothing sound, a chant, a mantra, the feeling of the body, the breath, the space of inner silence. Keep directly observing whatever arises. Listen and notice the changing condition of the mind. If thoughts are racing, repeat these steps.
4. PERSEVERE and REFLECT WISELY:  Sustain awareness until the storm of thought has abated or passed – without expectation. Reflect WISELY and conscientiously on the layers of mental perception and attention. Know the true state of the mind. Assess and consider the wisest way to respond.
5. BE HEROIC PATIENT and TRUST: In times of trouble or critical decision, heroic patience and trust  rescue us from the mental suffering of negativity or stagnation due to habitual thoughts or harsh reactions.

Vigilant mindfulness and laser sharp awareness are trusted allies that help us to refrain from following old thought patterns that inflame reactivity. Instead, we initiate and sustain wholesome intentions and attitudes, tirelessly inclining the mind towards kindness, compassion, heightened awareness, and penetrating wisdom.

Aligned with an attitude of non-harming and moral integrity, the mind gains respite from fearful or anxious thoughts. A fresh resource of energy breaks the cycle of habitual karma. We are on the path to inner illumination.

To this list we add vital blessings for our mental health and well-being in life, first: recalling kind deeds or service we have received or given. And second: consciously letting go unskillful states of mind. Both are vital blessings for our mental health and well-being in life.

We learn to trust.

So in times of imminent danger, instead of being distracted or resorting to panic, scoop water out of your ‘small boat’. As soon as you empty the mind of one rubbish thought, in effect, you are turning away from danger.

Begin the process that illuminates the light within and offers clarity instead of confusion. Your innate wisdom will further support that. This is a refreshing oasis of Dhamma, of truth to help us see the way forward and to choose wisely in the chaos and alienation of this world.

Let us direct the mind to true safety, to protect the mind by not clinging to identifying with dark or damaging thoughts like sadness, anger, the inner or outer critic; or with greed that always wants more, the wanting mind itself.

Remembering to allow wisdom into your conscious mind, you realize the potential harm of those thoughts – and take a stand to release them and embolden the mind ‘s natural acuity.

During mental turmoil, it may be a struggle to rescue yourself and uplift the heart – much as you want to. But at least you can remember to take this one intentional step to rescue this moment, and effectively, retrain the mind in doing so. You must initiate the process by raising the alarm yourself – inwardly – take a stand, go for it, and persevere with resolve.

You have the strength not to feed old mental demons. Even if you forget to notice them. But the fruit of awareness is exactly this – so practice being aware as often as possible. Notice what the mind is doing right now and strengthen awareness. Ask, probe, check inwardly to be aware of your own condition.

In this way, we sustain a climate of inner benevolence. It’s a guardianship of the mind – whatever unpleasant or pleasant conditions arise or whoever we meet – we notice. When we are not aligned with reality, the heart is ill-prepared and those old demons perpetually appear bigger than they actually are.

Awareness is a game-changer. Add a little extra patience, taking care of every thought, word or action. Developing inner clarity and brightness of heart shall dis. This is enough to disarm every monster of the mind – even our worst fear – because we are seeing how we react with fear and we can know both the fear and our reaction to it as impermanent, unpleasant, and not what we are. Exactly this is the truth – we are not either of these.

Remember to trust enough to lean on this special friendship with awareness and add to it the exalted gift of wise compassion. Yes. We forgive ourselves and, here and now, we return to the work of self-rescue.

© Ayyā Medhānandī, Spring 2026