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Human_Reference_3366 t1_ius1y4h wrote

I appreciate the sentiment here, but anyone suffering from anxiety or intrusive thoughts should remember that you are not your thoughts. It is really your words and actions that matter most, and you are not destined to follow your thoughts.

I like the saying that thoughts are like birds. You can’t stop them from landing on your head, but you can stop them from nesting in your hair!

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SirRamics t1_ius6mp4 wrote

That's why you have to watch your thoughts, because your thoughts become you if unchecked.

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[deleted] t1_ius6n9l wrote

As someone with anxiety I think Lao Tzu's words still work.

You should watch your anxious/intrusive thought. They aren't you, but if you let them run rampant they will become you.

I let my anxious thoughts control me from the time I was 15-20 and I'm 22 still working my way out.

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arbydallas t1_iusimbc wrote

Ok agree. Your thoughts certainly aren't you, but if they are generated in your subconscious mind, they often still have importance that you can investigate. You shouldn't judge yourself for having thoughts, but it can be helpful to try and figure out why they came about and if there's anything that should be done about them (eg work on a problem, show yourself compassion, jerk off, etc)

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Human_Reference_3366 t1_iuy1z8a wrote

I’m 35, and have realized I have to live alongside my anxiety because it’ll always be there from time to time. There’s no “out”. Hence, I don’t like sayings that imply people are deficient for having anxious thoughts; accepting our imperfect selves is important.

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clamence1864 t1_iuszv2l wrote

You’re missing part of the point of the eastern philosophy being espoused here (although I doubt this Lao Tzu). From this perspective, there is no “self” and the phrase “you are not your thoughts” is incoherent. So I think the author would agree with you 100%.

Another metaphor I like is that thoughts/feelings are like logs passing on a river. They will all pass unless we start to hold onto them and build on to them. So, for the person with intrusive thoughts, it is important to recognize that the thoughts are temporary, but it is also important to take care with the type of thoughts you do hold on to. I don’t think your position is that far away from the sentiment of the quote.

Also, you may not be destined to follow your thoughts, but the types of thoughts you focus on will inevitably affect your actions. Intrusive or not. So it’s still important to keep in mind the causal connection between our passing mental states and our overall character.

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Local-Program404 t1_iust8po wrote

The best tool for intrusive thought disorder is to take action. Certainly don't own the thoughts as your entire being, but take action to make them more pleasant. I have an extreme intrusive though disorder. 10 years ago it was literal non-stop suicidal idealation coming from my intrusive thoughts, that lasted for years. Now I am happy and past that, because I watched my thoughts and took action to think better.

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IMSOGIRL t1_iuuqrjk wrote

The quote doesn't mean thoughts with the context of mental illness in mind. It means intentions.

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[deleted] t1_ius8niv wrote

[deleted]

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notenoughroomtofitmy t1_iusrvg2 wrote

Anyone who is trained to believe that any culture is totally evil with no redeeming qualities is a total idiot. Chinese culture is what, 5000 years old or so? A lot happens over that time, good and bad things. Lao Tzu is far from Chinese propaganda, he is a tool to rid yourself off your own propaganda, whatever that may be.

The “woke seemingly philosophically inclined hipster” kids are showing more empathy and nuance in their thinking than people of the same age did say 10 or 20 years ago. For every tidepod eating kid there may as well be a handful more who want to be the change and make the world a better place, kids who are curing ancestral abuse normalized as being “tough”, kids who are being more responsible adults than adults who have social media inspired blinders of hate and ignorance.

Even as far as 2500 years ago we have had quotes lamenting at the “kids these days”. The sentiment is stale, and adds nothing to the conversation anymore.

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