Do you know that what you think becomes you?
I was leafing through David Michie’s book The Magician of Lhasa the other day, which I intend to read, and I happened to catch a familiar quote attributed to Buddha. I found it profound and very topical.
“Thought manifests itself in words;
The Word is manifested in action;
The act becomes a habit;
And the habit strengthens in character;
So watch over the thought and its path with care
And let it spring from the love that springs from caring for all beings…
As the shadow follows the body,
So is what we think and become.” – Buddha
Chey were said over 2500 years ago!
Incredible, isn’t it? The same message, but perhaps in different words, we hear today from most personal development experts, psychologists, neurologists and many others.
A topical quote, which reflects a holistic perspective on human development, highlighting the importance of each step in the thought-word-word-doing-doing-act-character chain.
But let’s take a closer look:
- “Thought is manifested in the word ” – It all starts with thought, whether positive or negative. What goes through our mind influences the way we speak, and the words we choose echo our conscious mind. It is therefore essential to guard our mind from negativity or intentions that could hurt, realizing that every word can have a profound impact on others.
- “The word is translated into action” – After words come actions. Thoughts that land on lips tend to be translated into behaviors. A repetitive thought focused on compassion will shape altruistic actions. On the other hand, negative thoughts can trigger destructive or harmful actions.
- “Habit becomes habit” – Repetition of actions, whether positive or negative, creates habits. These repeated behaviors become, over time, part of our routine, and this process can be beneficial or harmful depending on the nature of the thoughts that generated them.
- “Habit Shapes Character” – A person’s character is essentially the sum of their habits. If they are based on love, care and compassion, they will build an admirable character. If, however, they spring from negativity, they will leave a different imprint on the personality.
- “Watch over thought…” – Watching over thoughts is the key to the whole quote. Our mind is the soil on which the seeds of our future are planted. By choosing thoughts that reflect love and caring for all beings, we are on our way to a journey in harmony with the world.
- “As the shadow follows the body, so what we think, so we become” – Our thoughts have consequences. Just as the shadow follows us, the way we think shapes our existence.
What can we learn? What does it mean for us?
In just a few carefully chosen words, the Buddha gives us a practical guide to shaping our lives. We can summarize this guide in four important steps:
- Awareness of thoughts – The first step towards a harmonious life is to become aware of the flow of our thoughts. Practices such as meditation, journaling or daily reflection can help in identifying mental patterns that may have an undesirable impact on our behavior.
- Words with care – Words have colossal power. They can build bridges or raise walls. The second step is to choose our words carefully, bearing in mind their impact on those around us. It is an act of love and responsibility.
- Actions become habits – Repetition is the key to transformation. Our actions define us. What we do every day, even in the most mundane moments, shapes us. Small choices, repeated over time, become habits that ultimately create our character.
- Character and our legacy – A person’s character is what defines their legacy. A character of love, compassion and respect for others leaves a footprint with exponential impact.
Buddha’s quote is a mirror of the complexity of our mental and emotional life. It is by the thoughts we choose, the words we speak and the deeds we do that we build our future.
I, for one, am a big fan of this principle. By applying it, not only can we become the best version of ourselves, but we also contribute to creating a better world, where every action and thought is an expression of love.
What about you?
A day of smiles,
Claudiu
