“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”
- 7th century BC to 5th century BC
- Indian
- Religious leader, thinker
- Founded Buddhism, taught people the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which showed the causes of suffering and how to resolve them, and spread the path of training aimed at inner liberation and enlightenment.
Quote
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”
Explanation
This quote underscores the powerful role that thoughts play in shaping both our identity and the world around us. It suggests that everything we experience and the way we perceive reality is influenced by our thinking. Our thoughts form the foundation of our emotions, actions, and outlooks, and thus, by changing our thoughts, we can transform our lives. If we cultivate positive, compassionate, and clear thoughts, we create a better world both internally and externally. The world we experience is a reflection of the way we choose to think.
In modern life, this message calls attention to the importance of mindset and mental discipline. In a world filled with external distractions and challenges, it is easy to be consumed by negative or unhelpful thoughts, but by training our minds to focus on the positive, constructive, and peaceful, we can reshape how we experience and interact with the world. For example, someone who actively practices gratitude and mindfulness will likely experience a more fulfilling, peaceful life, seeing opportunities rather than obstacles.
Historically, Buddha’s teachings on mindfulness and right thought resonate with this idea. Buddha emphasized that mental states are fundamental to suffering and enlightenment. If we allow negative thoughts to dominate, we perpetuate suffering; if we cultivate right thinking, rooted in wisdom and compassion, we free ourselves from suffering and move closer to enlightenment. This idea encourages mental clarity, focus, and an awareness of the power our thoughts have in shaping our experiences and the world we inhabit.
