Effectively managing the mind against intrusive thoughts and organizing them through mental categorization relies on two essential principles:
1. Awareness of their presence
2. Quick elimination of them
These two principles are closely interconnected. Recognizing intrusive thoughts and their constant occupation of the mind—draining one’s mental energy—is not easy at first. However, with practice and persistence, once a person learns to clear their mind of these distractions, they become more conscious of their thoughts. Over time, they actively monitor their mental state because they have experienced firsthand the benefits of doing so.
A Practical Method for Mental Organization
One effective technique for handling intrusive thoughts is to mentally categorize and compartmentalize them. This involves assigning each thought to a specific imaginary drawer and firmly closing its door. The act of closing the drawer is crucial because it brings immediate relief. Once the thought is placed in its designated compartment and the mental “drawer” is shut, the mind experiences a brief moment of emptiness. Even if another thought arises, the same method can be applied to keep the mind free of clutter.
To use this method effectively, individuals should create mental compartments tailored to the issues that frequently occupy their thoughts. Each compartment should have a fixed and familiar place in the mind, making it easy to store a specific thought and quickly close its door.
Structuring the Mental Panel
I personally visualize my mind as a convex panel divided into three sections:
1. A front-facing panel with three distinct rows (upper, middle, and lower)
2. A left-side panel
3. A right-side panel
1. The Front-Facing Panel
This panel is further divided into three horizontal rows:
• Middle Row (Primary Drawers): This is the most important section, containing three main compartments:
• Work (business, job, career-related matters)
• Home (family, household issues, spouse, children)
• Current Affairs (politics, analysis, elections, and news)
• Lower Row: Designed for emotionally charged and disruptive thoughts, including:
• Momentary Negativity (short-term pessimistic thoughts)
• Sexual Thoughts (thoughts that might occupy the mind excessively)
• Negative Financial issues (debts, short balance, expenses)
• Upper Row: Currently divided into two compartments:
• Nostalgia & Regrets (memories, missed opportunities, past mistakes)
• Conflicts with Acquaintances (issues with extended family and friends)
2. The Left-Side Panel
This section is dedicated to intellectual pursuits, including:
• Thought analysis
• Creative ideas and innovations
• Writing articles and stories
While these thoughts are positive, they can still take up too much space, leading to a lack of mental focus.
3. The Right-Side Panel
I have not yet assigned a specific function to this panel, but it remains available for any new topics or concerns that arise and require categorization.
Handling Fleeting Thoughts
Not all thoughts are worth categorizing. Some are fleeting and do not require a dedicated drawer. These thoughts can be dismissed using a simple mental gesture, as if waving away a cloud of smoke in front of your eyes. They do not have enough significance to be stored and should simply be allowed to dissipate.
The Importance of Consistency
For this method to be effective, the positioning of mental compartments should remain unchanged. At first, it may take some time to mentally establish each drawer’s location, but with repetition and practice, they will become fixed and easily accessible.
In my next discussion, I will share personal experiences where I successfully used this method to control my thoughts and maintain mental clarity.