Every day we walk a treacherous path, attempting to use several devices without allowing them to enslave us. We call them “computers” and “smartphones”, but their true name is “robot boxes”. Big tech companies seek to increase their profits, which means they want more attention spent on their app, which leads them to spend millions or billions of dollars on research on how to capture human minds. If we are going to live our lives consciously, we must be aware of these risks, and prepare accordingly. How can we maintain sovereignty over our own minds, and avoid becoming robots?

If you say “Life often gives us situations we don’t expect,” most people will agree with it. But if you observe others, or even yourself, you might notice that their reactions indicate that they don’t really believe it. We face life hoping that things will go our way, and when they don’t, we experience disappointment, frustration or anger. Staying mindful of our bodies and of situations, we can say “yes” to them, accepting what is apparent. That way, we can respond to the situation as it is, not as we hope it would be.

In one fable from business, a Chinese man and a man from the United States meet to discuss a potential deal. The American man presents his case with great enthusiasm, explaining all the elements and trying to sell the Chinese fellow on the benefits. The Chinese simply waits patiently, listens and says “Yes.” By the end of the meeting, the American has the impression that he was in control the whole time. Yet the Chinese is the one who leaves with a lot more understanding and knowledge. Many things are revealed to us, when we exercise observation and discernment, as in this story from a Monk Friend: A monk walks in a little late to the evening chant. Due to where he stands and sits in the hall, he can’t easily see the page number of the prayer books of his brothers and sisters, yet after a few moments he has opened his book to the correct page and is chanting along. After the chanting, a brother approaches the monk, astounded. He says “You couldn’t possibly have seen the page number from where you stood. This is incredible. You must have used the Eye of the Buddha to know the correct page.” Our monk says no, actually what he did was quite simple. He observed that they were about one third of the way through the chant book, and while he couldn’t read the text, he could clearly see its shape. He found the page with the correct outline, listened to the chanting, and joined in from that spot. Good intentions enable us to know what ends might be desirable, but they don’t help us to know how to attain them. Fine discrimination allows us to determine the correct means to carry out our plans, to see clearly the obstacles that might prevent us and how to work around them, or even turn them to our advantage. In combination with good intentions, we can answer the question “What is worth doing?” Right action enables us to move in the correct direction, to bring our plans to life, and to fruition, to enact a vision with precision. Any one or two of these qualities is not sufficient for a good life. But all three are disproportionately powerful, and someone who strengthens the heart, mind and hand will defy many limitations.

We might feel fear about doing something, taking a risk in our careers, traveling to a new place, or taking a workshop that is outside our comfort zone. These fears might make us uncomfortable. However, they are truly an expression of how much you care for yourself - wanting to keep yourself safe, healthy and protected. The problem is, in this case, the way we express our desire for safety prevents our potential for growth. How can you meet your needs in a way that truly serves you? How can you feel healthy, safe and full, even while taking risks and growing? [Read the transcript and find important links on the site: A Beautiful Thought – Healthy Self-Love: Episode 457](https://beautifulpodcast.com/healthy-self-love-episode-457/)