Understanding the Nature of Thought: The Foundation of Happiness and Success | Episode 8

Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, replaying a conversation that didn’t go as planned? Perhaps your boss’s passing comment during a meeting left you second-guessing your abilities, or an unanswered text from a loved one spiraled into a series of “what ifs.” It’s remarkable how a single thought can take on a life of its own, triggering feelings of anxiety, stress, or even insecurity.

Moments like these are not just fleeting frustrations; they reveal the incredible power of our thoughts. Our minds are constantly interpreting the world around us, deciding whether we’re safe or falling short. This goes to show that our thoughts hold immense power over our emotions, actions, and ultimately, our well-being and success. But to harness this power, we need to understand the nature of thought and how our brain works.

At the core of this understanding lies the two main parts of the brain:

The Survivor Brain is designed to protect us from danger—both real and imagined. It activates the fight-or-flight response, preparing our body to face threats. But here’s the challenge: the brain reacts the same way to real danger (e.g., a physical threat) and imagined danger (e.g., a fearful thought).

When the Survivor Brain is activated:

This process makes us feel physical sensations like tightness in the chest, shallow breathing, or tingling in the hands and feet. The more we believe these fearful thoughts, the stronger the emotional and physical response.

However, the Thriving Brain represents the part of us that fosters calmness, creativity, and happiness. It focuses on growth, connection, and clarity rather than just survival.

Developing this part of the brain is essential for improving well-being, reducing stress, and enhancing productivity.

To truly understand how our brain impacts our happiness and success, we must delve deeper into the nature of thoughts. Thoughts are powerful, and they are also:

1. Impermanent

Thoughts naturally come and go, fading away as soon as we stop focusing on them. Resisting or fighting a thought often gives it more power, while allowing it to pass without judgment weakens its hold over time. Gradually, recurring thoughts become less intense and less compelling. Embracing the impermanence of thoughts can bring a profound sense of peace, reminding us that no thought lasts forever and freeing us from the grip of fear and worry.

2. Random

Our thoughts often arise unintentionally, shaped by the countless memories and associations stored in our brain. Most of these thoughts are automatic and beyond our control. Attempting to analyze or fix every thought can lead to frustration, especially when we’re in a low mood, making the world feel discouraging and flawed. Rather than trying to control or overanalyze them, it’s far more helpful to simply observe these thoughts and allow them to pass naturally.

3. Compelling

Thoughts often feel real because they trigger physical sensations in our bodies. For instance, a fearful thought can make our heart race, while a sad thought might create a sense of heaviness. These physical reactions can trick us into believing our fearful thoughts are reality.

4. Subjective

Our thoughts are influenced by our experiences, beliefs, and biases, meaning they don’t always reflect objective reality. For example, a negative thought about ourselves might not match how others perceive us, and while public speaking may terrify one person, it could excite another.

Some thoughts are based on facts, like realizing we made a mistake. However, it’s often our interpretations of these situations that create feelings of fear and insecurity. When we clear our mind, we can learn more easily from these experiences and take meaningful action. How we respond to situations really depends on which part of our brain is in charge—the fear-driven Survivor Brain or the calm, clear, and wise Thriving Brain.

Recognizing the subjectivity of our thoughts helps us to be suspicious of the thoughts that don’t serve us. A thought feels real only when we choose to believe it. If we don’t give it importance, it loses its power and naturally fades away.

Most people operate primarily in their Survivor Brain, leading to chronic stress, anxiety, health problems, and strained relationships. This state reduces happiness and performance because it focuses solely on survival. To shift into the Thriving Brain, we must cultivate habits that promote calmness, clarity, and connection. Here’s how:

1. Notice and Label Thoughts

Notice your critical inner voice and give it a label, like "Judge," "Pleaser," or simply "Thought." Labeling helps you step back and see the thought for what it really is—just a thought, not a reflection of your true self.

2. Shift Attention to the Body

Ground yourself in the present moment by connecting with your senses. Try these techniques:

These practices anchor you in the present, redirecting your attention away from fear-based thoughts.

3. Develop Habits for the Thriving Brain

Foster a thriving mindset through these habits:

The nature of thought reveals its impermanence, randomness, compelling nature, and subjectivity. By understanding this, we can weaken the critical voice of the Survivor Brain and strengthen the calm Thriving Brain, the source of wisdom, creativity, and connection.

Your thoughts shape your experience, but you have the power to choose how to respond to them. By being fully present to observe your thoughts, you can transform fear-based thinking into clarity and joy.

My biggest takeaway is that all our thoughts and feelings, whether “positive” or “negative,” are blessings. “Negative” thoughts and emotions remind us to pause and refocus our attention. They lovingly guide us toward the path of greater peace and wholeness on our journey to happiness and success. It’s such a relief to realize we no longer need to fear our thoughts and emotions.

00:00 - Introduction

01:06 - Content Warning

01:16 - Topic: The Nature of Thought
02:44 - The Two Parts of the Brain
04:24 - Real Danger vs. Imagined Danger
09:06 - How Thoughts Trigger Our Feelings
09:51 - The Power of Thoughts
13:16 - Understanding the Nature of Thought
14:03 - The Impermanence of Thoughts
17:30 - Free Webinar: Paano Ba Magka-Oras Para sa Gusto Ko? (February 4, 2025)
19:28 - The Randomness of Thoughts
24:10 - Why Thoughts Feel Compelling
26:05 - The Subjectivity of Thoughts
30:00 - What Can YOU Do?