Originally Posted by lillian
how do you know what is obsession and what is normal?
Ah, the age-old question...
For me, the obsessive thoughts are the ones:
a) that I can't turn off;
b) that get in the way of my living the happy, healthy, serene life I am capable of living;
c) that supercede all other healthy thoughts like "I should eat something this week" or "Perhaps sleeping would be a good idea considering I've been up thinking about her for six days straight..." or "Should I get out of the street before that truck hits me?"
Buddha said, "Pain is a part of life; suffering is optional". I may have thoughts from time to time that bring painful feelings, but when I dwell on them and energize them, the suffering begins. I have to remember that I have choices about where I put my energy...
Great question, Lillian!