Maria Konnikova Quotes

Have you ever sat very quietly with closed eyes and watched the movement of your own thinking? Have you watched your mind working?or rather, has your mind watched itself in operation, just to see what your thoughts are, what your feelings are, how you look at the trees, at the flowers, at the birds, at people, how you respond to a suggestion or react to a new idea? Have you ever done this?

I try not to be overly analytical.

For me, writing is a way of thinking. I write in a journal a lot. I'm a very impatient person, so writing and meditation allow me to slow down and watch my mind; they are containers that keep me in place, hold me still.

Even now when I am answering a question I am at the height of my own meditation.

I am not what I think. I am thinking what I think.

To fix the thoughts by writing, and subject them to frequent examinations and reviews, is the best method of enabling the mind to detect its own sophisms, and keep it on guard against the fallacies which it practices on others

The only and dearest relationship is the mind's relationship with itself.

Think about these once in awhile, and watch your answers change.

Self-awareness includes awareness of your mental realm, which encompasses your thoughts, feelings, energy, and emotions.

Half the time you think your thinking you’re actually listening

First Sight means you can see what really is there, and Second Thoughts mean thinking about what you are thinking. And in Tiffany's case, there were sometimes Third Thoughts and Fourth Thoughts although these...sometimes led her to walk into doors.

I only know as much about myself as my mind can work out under its current conditions. And its current conditions are not good.

If we are in silence - in absolute silence with no thoughts - for 10 minutes, it's only a thought that tells us we were silent for 10 minutes. Our only proof is a thought.

There is thought, and then there is thinking about thoughts, and they don't feel the same.

The moment it begins to question itself, the mind becomes so clear that it starts working with itself rather than with the body's identification.

If you spend enough time with yourself in silence, you'll be surprised what goes through your head.

Whether you're keeping a journal or writing as a meditation, it's the same thing. What's important is you're having a relationship with your mind.

Doubt your doubts before you doubt your beliefs.

To exercise at or near capacity is the best way I know of reaching a true introspective state. If you do it right, it can open all kinds of inner doors.

I'm in my mind a lot. I live there.

Irony is the hygiene of the mind.

The object of studying philosophy is to know one's own mind, not other people's.

How do you know, right now, that you are aware of being aware, or conscious?

Every now and then, I have a deep thought.

I'm trying to make work that is reflective and is encouraging of reflection.