Few people are aware of the thoughts that pass through their
minds. Thinking is performed like a habit, in an automatic
manner. If the thoughts are positive, then it is all right, but
if they are negative, they may cause trouble.

The mind is like small child, who accepts and takes for granted
whatever it sees or hears, without judgment and without
considering the consequences. If you let your mind behave as it
likes and give it complete freedom, you lose your freedom.

We are constantly flooded with thoughts, ideas and information
coming through the five senses, other people, the newspapers and
TV. These thoughts, ideas and information penetrate the mind
whether we are aware of this process or not.

This outside flow influences our behavior and reactions. It
influences the way we think, our preferences, likes and
dislikes. This means that we let outside powers shape our lives.
So where is freedom?

Most people think and believe that their thoughts originate from
them, but have they ever stopped and considered whether their
thoughts, desires, likes and dislikes are really theirs? Maybe
they are outside influences that they have unconsciously
accepted?

If there is no filter to process the thoughts that enter the
mind, there is no freedom. Then all actions are like the actions
of a puppet on a string, though no one will admit it.

You may object and say that the thoughts that pass through your
mind are yours, but are they? Have you deliberately and
attentively created every thought that entered your mind?

Why let outside influences control your mind and life? Why be a
slave to other people’s thoughts? Do you want to make your mind
free or do you prefer to enslave it to other people’s opinions
and thoughts? If you leave your mind open to every thought that
passes by, you put our life in other people’s hands, and without
realizing it you accept their thoughts and act in accordance
with them.

Each person is more susceptible to certain kind of thoughts than
others. Certain thoughts and ideas we ignore, and others spur us
to immediate action. Thoughts concerning subjects we love have
more power on us than other thoughts, but even thoughts and
ideas that we don’t care about, if we are frequently exposed to
them, eventually sink into the subconscious mind and influence
us.

Everyone has desires, ambitions and dreams that he or she may
foster from childhood. They may be the thoughts of parents,
teachers and friends, and which have lodged into our minds, and
are carried around throughout our lives. Are they necessary? Do
we need all this excessive baggage?

In order to reduce the power of outside influences and thoughts
on your life, you need to be aware of the thoughts and desires
that enter your mind, and ask yourself whether you really like
them, and are willing to accept them into your life. Analyze
your motives and actions, and you will be surprised to find out
that many of them were triggered by outside influences.

You do not have to accept each and every thought, idea or
information. Think and find out whether you entertain certain
thoughts because you decided to do so, or because they just
popped into your head due to outside influences.

Learn not to accept every thought that you encounter. Find first
whether it is for your own good to follow it. It may not be so
easy at the start, because the mind will revolt against this
control. If you want to be the master of your mind and life, you
should not let other people’s thoughts, desires and motives rule
your life, unless you consciously choose so.