Most people say they can’t stop their thoughts even for a minute.  It is as if they are captivated by the monster that is the mind and have to listen to the constant voice coming from their head whether they want it or not.  Sometimes, it is our parents voice telling us what to think or what to do.  Sometimes, it is our boss yelling at us for screwing some project that we were supposed to complete, or sometimes, it is our own internalized voices saying we will never measure up or we are going to be a mega star.  Whatever that may be, the fact is we don’t get rest from this constant talk in our head. If you are curious about what 11 things are that we want to focus on un-binding so that we can have liberated mind, please read…

1. Craving: When we have some kind of craving such as food, alcohol, sex, drug, etc., we believe it is what we really want to be happy.  We don’t think deep enough to realize the consequence of pursuing the craving.  When we give into the craving regularly, it can become an addiction.  If we are ruled by any kind of addiction, all bets are off.  Our lives become unmanageable.  This is the first thing we want to un-bind for our freedom.
2. Violence:  When we have violence in our mind, we don’t have peace.  If we seek violence to any kind of situation, it brings more violence.  Negative begets negative.  Anger doesn’t cause violence. Violence begets more violence.
3. Ignorance:  The holy Dalai Lama said the root of all problems in this world is ignorance.  If I am hooked by greed, that is due to my ignorance of our inter-being.  We are all connected and my well being is enhanced by your well being.  If I over save out of fear of not having enough, I am not aware of my finite life.  Therefore, we want to continue to learn towards enlightenment.
4. OneUpmanship:  I think I am better than you or I am less than you.  As long as I think this way, I don’t have peace in mind.
5. Doubt:  This can be about not having enough of anything and it brings constant worry.  Even if I have more than enough, doubt make it not so.  How often, we suffer because we doubt ourselves?
6. Opinions:  We take our opinions as truth.  They are only our opinions which can change over time.  This has been proven over our history.  Often scientific findings reversed its opinions as new discoveries come.  When we see them for what they are, only our opinions, we have peace in our mind.
7. We see ourselves as physical being: We actually have 4 dimensions.  Physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.  We are all of those dimensions coming together.  Our spirit is indestructible when our body dies.  Our spirit existed before our physical body and will exist after it dies.
8.   Black and White Thinking:  Much of everything in life exist on spectrum.  It brings so much peace when we have dimmers in our mind.
9. Attachment:  When we are in denial of the fact that everything change, We suffer as we try all our might to hold onto this thing we currently are attached. Look at a leaf that leaves the tree branch as it starts its journey to the next cycle.  Our living works the same way.
10. Judgment: When I see you, I take time to watch, understand, and Appreciate you.  This is peace.  When I see you, as I watch you, I make judgment.  This brings conflict.
11. Rules or Rituals:  If you say, I am not going to be loved unless I follow your rules or your rituals, we don’t have peaceful relationship.  If you say, you understand me, this brings us peace.