Chapter 1: Understanding Thought Patterns

The analogy of thoughts as airplanes in the sky offers a compelling perspective on mental distractions. According to Elder Paisius, “If you ignore them, there is no problem. If you pay attention to them, you create an airport inside your head and permit them to land!”

During my struggle with food addiction, thoughts about food and body image consumed nearly all of my mental space. I was either fixated on losing weight, planning my next meal, or anxious about food spoiling in my fridge. It was overwhelming.

I often questioned why I couldn’t silence these thoughts. In an attempt to escape this mental chaos, I sometimes resorted to eating, unaware of how to cope effectively. Feeling isolated, I believed I was alone in this battle, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

Everyone grapples with their thoughts; it's an inherent part of being human. The way we manage our thoughts can shape our experiences, either positively or negatively.

Recently, I delved into "Christ the Eternal Tao" by Hieromonk Damascene, which emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and thought control. The book illustrates how thoughts can evolve into passions and actions.

“In objectively observing thoughts, we will be able to cut them off before they develop into passions. In the Philokalia, the growth from a thought into a passion is described with scientific precision. First comes the provocation of the thought, then the conjunction of the thought with emotion or resentment, then the joining or agreement of the will with the thought. If the soul does not pull back at this point, the thought becomes a habit and the mind is constantly preoccupied with the object of the passionate urge. Finally the person falls into the captivity of the urge, and rushes gladly and violently to satisfy it.”

I realized that the key mistake was engaging with those disruptive thoughts rather than letting them pass. I learned that when a temptation for sugary treats enters my mind, I don’t have to respond. Likewise, when negative self-talk arises about my body, I must dismiss it. Ignoring these thoughts has proven to be incredibly liberating!

The book offers several insightful quotes on this topic that I hope resonate with you:

• “Rule: Cut off thoughts and you will cut off everything.”
• “In observing thoughts, we should not focus on them, but rather defocus from them. We should not try to analyze them, for analysis involves us in the very thing from which we are seeking to separate ourselves.”
• “Continuing this practice of going within and standing apart from thoughts, we will continue to shed layers of conditioning together with our compulsive thought patterns.”
• “Struggle against thoughts is vain and futile. It is enough simply to observe the thoughts as they arise, then let them go without reacting to them or following them.”
• “A thought cannot exist for long under the light of direct, objective observation. If we do not align our will with it, it naturally disappears. If we do not do anything about thoughts, in time they are spoiled, that is to say, they disintegrate.”
• “If a thought comes, do not be alarmed… The bad thing is not that a thief enters the house, but that he takes what he finds in the house.”

Remember, thoughts are like airplanes that can circle your mind; just don’t allow them to land!

What unwanted thoughts are you permitting to land in your mental airport? How do they impact your relationship with food, and how might ignoring them empower you?

I am dedicated to helping individuals gain control over their food cravings to reclaim their lives. If you found this helpful and wish to receive weekly tips on managing your cravings, I invite you to sign up here.

Chapter 2: The Impact of Thoughts on Our Lives

Explore the concept of “Airplane Thoughts” with Dhruv in this official audio. This video delves into the metaphor of thoughts as fleeting ideas that can either empower or control us.

In “End Your Fear of Flying FOREVER,” Mel Robbins provides strategies to confront and overcome fears, helping viewers take charge of their mental landscapes.