Hard to believe, right?

The constant chatter in our heads is so ever-present that we naturally assume we are the thinking process behind it. After all, Descartes famously stated, “Cogito, ergo sum”—“I think, therefore I am.” We've come to believe that intelligence is synonymous with reasoning, and that the more active our minds are, the smarter we must be.

But today, I want to challenge that notion. I want to share how I came to understand—through experience—that Descartes may have gotten it backwards: Sum, ergo cogito—“I am, therefore I think”—feels much more accurate.

Modern society equates rational thinking with intelligence. I’m here to suggest that the rational, conscious mind is just one function of being human. It’s not who we are. Nor is it the highest form of intelligence.

I believe real intelligence comes from the capacity to observe and experience life beyond the mind. We are not our thoughts—we are the observer of those thoughts. The one who notices that thinking is taking place.

Observing the Mind in Meditation

I’ve always had a fast, active mind—constantly analyzing, scanning, and talking. At one point, I started to believe something was wrong with me. My mind felt dysfunctional, the internal noise was relentless.

Everything changed during my first Vipassana meditation experience. For the first time, I became aware that I am more than my mind.

I watched as my thoughts entered loops while I sat in stillness, unable to rein them in. I tried to control them, and the harder I tried, the more chaotic things became. I broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the feeling of being a prisoner inside my own head.

Eventually, that breaking point brought a breakthrough. As I gave up trying to control the thinking process, I found a bit of peace. I realized I could be free—beyond the mind.

Guided Visualization in Space

The second transformative moment came in 2023, on the night of my birthday. During a guided visual meditation, I was transported beyond the Earth, in space, surrounded by white light, immersed in stillness and warmth. I felt peace in every cell of my body.

When I returned, something strange happened—my mind was silent. It felt sleepy. When my mind eventually “woke up,” I noticed how fast and chaotic it really was. I nicknamed it “Speedy Gonzalez” and began speaking to it like an amused parent with an overexcited child.

That’s when I realized: the mind isn’t bad. It’s just restless. It wants to help. But it often acts like a monkey—jumping from thought to thought, grabbing at anything just to stay busy. The trick is to observe it without judgment, with curiosity and humor, knowing it is just a function of being human.

An Unexpected Teacher: Illness

Recently, I had another powerful reminder—this time from being sick with a virus. With my energy levels at their lowest, even basic actions became deliberate. I had to think before moving. Think before thinking. Suddenly, my mind went quiet—not because I forced it, but because my body prioritized energy for basic actions of survival.

Decisions, worries, and mental noise simply faded away. It was a strange but beautiful experience. The mind, just like any other organ, had powered down. In that stillness, I experienced a deeper presence. A quieter version of myself. And once again, I was reminded: the mind is just one part of the whole—not the whole itself.

Struggling With an Active Mind?

If you’re struggling with an overactive mind, here are two suggestions:

• Be curious about meditation. You don’t need to “stop” your thoughts. Just sit and observe.

• Become the observer. Notice your thoughts like clouds passing in the sky—without judgment.

You are not your mind. You are the stillness behind it. The awareness that watches, that feels, that simply is. And in that space—beyond the noise—you’ll find peace, clarity, and perhaps even your true self.

A Final Reflection

The journey from identifying with the mind to observing it from a place of stillness is not an easy one—but it is liberating. When we stop mistaking our thoughts for who we are, we open the door to a deeper, more authentic way of being.

It doesn't mean abandoning the mind, but rather placing it in its rightful role: a tool, not a master. From that perspective, we can live more fully—anchored in presence, guided by intuition, and attuned to the wisdom that exists beyond words.