We often view our thoughts and our physical habits as two separate countries. We think we can let our bodies run wild—eating what we want, sleeping when we feel like it, and consuming endless streams of digital noise—while expecting our minds to remain calm, focused, and "good."
But I’ve come to realize a singular truth: involuntary thoughts are the cause of all human misery, and those thoughts run wild when we let our bodies run wild.
The Tragedy of the Frozen Moment
Most people exist in a state of "frozen" awareness. They are caught in a humdrum stream of events designed to perpetuate a dull, repetitive memory in their minds. They gape and stare at whatever passes by, caught in a cycle of reinvention that eventually leads to boredom and jadedness. This is the comedy and the tragedy of the modern condition.
To break out of this, we have to look at the "Chicken or the Egg" of self-regulation.
The Regulation Loop
When the body is regulated, the mind is regulated—and vice versa. You cannot say, "I will fix my mind first, then my habits," or "I’ll get fit, then I’ll worry about my anxiety."
It is a feedback loop:
- The Body: When we have no "reins" on our physical impulses, our thoughts become feral.
- The Mind: When the mind is chaotic, it seeks instant physical comfort to drown out the noise.
Both must be mastered together. Regulation isn’t a destination; it’s the act of holding the reins on both the horse (the body) and the rider (the mind) simultaneously.
The "Movie Myth" of the Aggressive Hero
In our moments of frustration, we might feel a "pressure cooker" of emotions building up. We might want to speak or act with the arrogant, "macho" style we see in movies—the antisocial gangster who does whatever he wants.
But that is a cinematic fiction. In reality, even the toughest environments require a code of conduct. True strength isn't found in being "inimical" or aggressive; it is found in being amiable and humane.
Being a "sociable person" isn't about being fake. It’s about recognizing that:
- Arrogance is for entertainment.
- Consideration is for real life.
- Discipline is for survival.
Closing the Valve
If you feel the pressure building, write it out. Question your inimical thoughts. Let them "thin out" by subjecting them to the light of reason. The old-school tradition of “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” isn't just a moral cliché—it’s a blueprint for mental peace.
By regulating the vessel, we protect the passenger.
