Cultivate awareness of your thoughts and emotions from "summary" of You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh

To cultivate awareness of your thoughts and emotions, you must first recognize that they are present. Often, we go through our days on autopilot, not fully aware of what is going on inside us. This lack of awareness can lead to all kinds of suffering, as we react unconsciously to our thoughts and emotions. One way to become more aware of your thoughts and emotions is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with openness and curiosity. When you are mindful, you are able to observe your thoughts and emotions without getting caught up in them. This allows you to see them more clearly and understand where they are coming from. Another way to cultivate awareness is to practice deep listening. When you listen deeply to yourself, you are able to hear the messages that your thoughts and emotions are trying to convey. By listening in this way, you can gain insight into your own inner workings and develop a greater sense of self-awareness. It is also important to remember that your thoughts and emotions are impermanent. They come and go like clouds in the sky. By recognizing this impermanence, you can learn to let go of negative thoughts and emotions more easily, knowing that they will eventually pass. By cultivating awareness of your thoughts and emotions, you are able to respond to them with greater wisdom and compassion. Instead of reacting impulsively, you can choose how to engage with your inner experiences in a way that is more skillful and beneficial. This can lead to greater peace and happiness in your life.