But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (James 1:22-25 ESV)
Wonder how often we have thought of the Mirror’s duties in relationship to our thinking? Buddhist teacher angel Kyodo williams emphasizes how human it is to have desires—and how we can lessen our attachment to them: williams offers instructions on the practice of “letting go” of our thoughts, desires, and judgments through mindfulness meditation:
“We can see the thoughts that come up in our minds the same way a mirror “sees” things.A mirror just notices. It registers whatever passes in front of it without holding on to it in any way. It just lets go. It doesn’t think about it or have a long conversation about it. Since the mirror doesn’t cling to the object that it is reflecting, when the object goes, so does the reflection. It’s the same way with your mind. We don’t hold on to the random thoughts that arise over and over again in our minds and that can take us away from the full experience of now.”
We probably all heard that Dr Charles Stanley passed away recently yet leaving a plethora library of profound Biblical teachings. This message has been said it was the most listened to of any of his messages. I can see why. I would like to share with you. Yes, it’s on thinking!
thedailylily.com 
Thank you for sharing the great teaching by Dr. Stanley, Sara and for your inspirational words as well!
I found this analogy to a mirror by you a helpful pictorial reminder, “We don’t hold on to the random thoughts that arise over and over again in our minds and that can take us away from the full experience of now.” The example by Dr. Stanley of having the power of the Holy Spirit within us to ‘lay down’ thoughts that are not Godly or helpful to our life and growth reminds me of what you said about the mirror/mind…”It registers whatever passes in front of it without holding on to it in any way.”
They both seem to explain what angel Kyodo williams emphasizes… “letting go” of our thoughts, desires, and judgments. : I think Dr. Stanley referred to those desires as lusts.
I heard this at church yesterday and wanted to share.
B-Asic
I-Instructions
B-Before
L-Leaving
E-Earth
Dr. Charles Stanley sure shared some true instructions for us, straight from the Bible, didn’t he? 🙏
So interesting to me how God uses so many various illustrations and demonstrations to help truth register in each of us so we are able to remember and follow the basic tenets of truth. Those truths are found in the book Tammy illustrated so well from her Church services this week. These thoughts that often hinder our peace are often expressed by various groups seeking answers.
Dr Charles Stanley, leaving the earth, age 90, left us with a plethora library of books, digital, sermons and teachings to help all from whatever back ground we find yourself to understand truth that offers peace and hope when applied.
Today, we span the earth with digital devices and find we are communicating within seconds to people from all nations of different languages. Our hand held devices can easily with the right app translate languages in our individual language within a flash.
Debi, read, listened and documented Dr Stanley teachings taken from the book Tammy gave reference to as this particular mind issue as “lust” and Dr Stanley in love and clarity offered us a healing helping roadmap that works when applied. He builds ways to increase faith. We, worldwide, are blessed to have truth in simplicity given for our basic instructions as Tammy reference from the Bible to confirm info we receive.
I love this scripture found in Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, Seek, Knock vs 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”