“Do You Own The Donkey Or Does The Donkey Own You?”

What you can visualize, you can realize. The Buddha said, "you are what you think." In other words, it is your thoughts which make you who you are. But, unfortunately, we are all in the habit of unconscious thinking. We don’t choose what to think, we just think what we think.

The need of the hour is, to bring in the light of awareness, presence and intelligence into how we think.

You have the freedom to choose and once you start to exercise this freedom, it gives you wings. No longer are you a slave of your mind. You start controlling your thoughts and emotions. Simply put, you become free.

Let me tell you a story. Once a Washerman was on his way to work  and he had a donkey with him which he was dragging along with himself. Suddenly,  the donkey refused to move. From the opposite direction a saint was coming and he saw what was happening. He made a simple but profound observation and comment. He said, “Do you own the donkey or does the donkey own you?”

This is exactly what is happening in our lives. The donkey is owning us. We need to take back the reigns of our mind back into our own hands.

This is easier said than done, but there are simple techniques which can help you in controlling your mind:

1. Detachment

Don’t identify with anything. Be as you are-Total-Complete. The most common identification is that with the body. You are separate from your body and mind. So, don’t attach your sense of self with them.

2. Self-Awareness

Be Aware of every action, every thought that you do and think. Bring in the light of consciousness into your life. This will give you freedom.

3. Acceptance 

Accept each moment as it is .Don’t choose. Just be a conscious presence and let things be and happen on their own through universal grace.

4. Surrender

One who surrenders totally, gains totally. Surrender and let divinity and intelligence take charge of your life. Slay your ego and reach for the infinite.

5. Being a Witness

Be a witness. Develop Objectivity. Observe your life as if you are observing a third person. This will give you perspective, vision and wisdom.

By:

Siddharth Anand

Faculty, INLEAD