--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you relate to thoughts obsessively…" description: "\"When you relate to thoughts obsessively, you are actually feeding them because thoughts need your attention to survive. Once you begin to pay attention..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/chogyam-trungpa-1373_attention_when-you-relate-to-thoughts-obsessively_907648.jpg" --- # When you relate to thoughts obsessively, you are actually… ![“When you relate to thoughts obsessively, you are actually feeding them because thoughts need your attention to survive. Once you begin to pay attention to them and categorize them, then they become very powerful. You are feeding them energy because you are not seeing them as simple phenomena. If…” quote by Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/chogyam-trungpa-1373_attention_when-you-relate-to-thoughts-obsessively_907648.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/chogyam-trungpa-1373_attention_when-you-relate-to-thoughts-obsessively_907648.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/chogyam-trungpa-1373_attention_when-you-relate-to-thoughts-obsessively_907648.jpg) > “When you relate to thoughts obsessively, you are actually feeding them because thoughts need your attention to survive. Once you begin to pay attention to them and categorize them, then they become very powerful. You are feeding them energy because you are not seeing them as simple phenomena. If one tries to quiet them down, that is another way of feeding them.” [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Obsessive focus on thoughts fuels them; observing without attachment reduces their power. **In simple terms:** Attention fuels thoughts. Key Takeaway Practice mindful observation. Themes mindfulness thoughts attachment Mood reflective calm Type spiritual psychological When to use this quote - meditation - cognitive therapy - daily stress - creative work Key Concepts psychology Buddhist teachings mental habits Questions to Reflect On - How can you notice thoughts without feeding them? - What techniques help you categorize thoughts calmly? A Different Perspective Some thoughts persist despite observation; complete detachment can be difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) ## Related quotes > [Feeding our energy appetite is top of mind for many people these days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/feeding-our-energy-appetite-is-top-of-mind-for-many-people-these-days/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [I'm very sensitive to the English language. I studied the dictionary obsessively when I was a kid and collect old dictionaries. 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It is like seeing the beautiful flowers that grow in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/enlightenment-is-like-witnessing-the-brilliant-sun-for-the-first-time/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [ If you look into the mirror, you see that \[every part of you\] belongs there and you belong there, as you are. You begin… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/if-you-look-into-the-mirror-you-see-that-every-part-of-you-belongs/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [This whole world is mind's world, the product of the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/this-whole-world-is-mind-s-world-the-product-of-the-mind/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [When one is able to overcome the romantic and emotional attitude, one discovers truth even in the kitchen sink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/when-one-is-able-to-overcome-the-romantic-and-emotional-attitude-one/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [One day passes and another day comes along, and everything happens the same. 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You are willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/real-fearlessness-is-the-product-of-tenderness-it-comes-from-letting/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [We can deceive ourselves into thinking we are developing spirituality when instead we are strengthening our egocentricity through spiritual techniques.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-can-deceive-ourselves-into-thinking-we-are-developing-spirituality/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) [Explore all 248 Chogyam Trungpa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. 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