If you remembered to pay attention yesterday for thoughts of self-concept, it’s possible that you captured a long list of ideas. That list would be incredibly long if we also included everything your mind had to say about other people, about circumstances and about the things in your environment. The mind has a lot to say about everything, and it’s through these thoughts that you derive your concept of yourself, others and the world.

As Nisargadatta Maharaj said:

The world you can perceive is a very small world indeed. And it is entirely private. Take it to be a dream and be done with it.

That teaching is the heart of today’s reading. In fact, today’s reading says:

This is great news for you, if you will accept it. This is the truth that will set you free.

When we take the meaning that our thoughts give to everything seriously, we imprison ourselves. By realizing that those thoughts are valueless and have no meaning, we set ourselves free. It is as simple as that!

The problem is that most people value their thoughts over everything else they think they value. Although their thoughts are the cause of all of their problems and all of their suffering, they prefer their thoughts to the freedom that would be present if thought was disregarded.

Today’s reading interprets a parable called The Parable of the Ten Minas.

Link to the parable

After reading the interpretation of the parable in today’s reading, consider giving willingness to see that your thinking is mostly upside-down and therefore, not useful. After you give willingness to see this, stay in the space of that willingness. If you stay in the space of that willingness throughout the day, you will become aware of some of the useless thinking that goes on in your mind. Write down what you see, so it isn’t quickly forgotten. At the end of the day, review your list of meaningless thoughts, and then ask, “Am I willing to release the value I’ve placed on my thinking?”

Today’s reading is about how our thoughts create a false self-concept. False ideas about who I am are core to the ego. Do you remember this image?

The sense of self-existence comes from mental chatter and how it defines ‘me.’

Today’s reading says:

But these concepts do not tell you who you are. Each and every one of them tells you who you are not. … So if you are to discover the truth of who you are, you must be willing to lay your perception of yourself aside. You must be willing to stop believing that you know who you are.”

Have you ever paid attention to the thoughts in your mind that tell you who you are? There are the usual thoughts, which tell you that you are a man or woman, possibly a parent, a spouse, the child of so-and-so with a particular nationality, etcetera. None of these thoughts are true about you. However, they also aren’t the heart of the self-defining messages that run through your mind throughout the day.

The ideas of self-concept that cement your perception of yourself to the ego are much more subtle than those usual ideas of self-identity, and they whisper into your mind with incredible frequency. Maybe it’s time for you to become aware of those thoughts.

Here are just a few examples:

• I am too busy.
• I can’t do all of this!
• They’re going to see that I’m not as good as they thought I was.
• I never feel well.
• I’m lazy.
• I’m not as dedicated as I should be.
• That worked out well. I’m pretty smart.
• I’m really organized.
• I’m such a good cook.
• I’m so fat.
• I love to help people.
• Why is everyone always bothering me?
• How come no one ever helps me?
• They should be as generous as I am.
• I really know how to handle this car.
• I am so good at finding bargains.
• I waste money.
• I’m so patient.
• I can’t take this from him anymore!
• And etcetera.

Today, consider carrying a small notebook around with you, or use your smart phone to capture as many thoughts of self-concept as you can. Make a game out of it. Find out who the mind says you are when you aren’t looking.