--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When all mental activity around who you…" description: "\"When all mental activity around who you think you are is stopped, there is a crack in the authority of perception, in the structure of the mind. I invi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a7/gangaji-10997_authority_when-all-mental-activity-around-who-you_1048217.jpg" --- # When all mental activity around who you think you are is… ![“When all mental activity around who you think you are is stopped, there is a crack in the authority of perception, in the structure of the mind. I invite you to enter through that crack. Come in through that opening. When you do, the mind is no longer filled with its latest self-definition. In…” quote by Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a7/gangaji-10997_authority_when-all-mental-activity-around-who-you_1048217.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a7/gangaji-10997_authority_when-all-mental-activity-around-who-you_1048217.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a7/gangaji-10997_authority_when-all-mental-activity-around-who-you_1048217.jpg) > “When all mental activity around who you think you are is stopped, there is a crack in the authority of perception, in the structure of the mind. I invite you to enter through that crack. Come in through that opening. When you do, the mind is no longer filled with its latest self-definition. In that moment, there is only silence. And in that silence, it is possible to recognize absolute fulfilment: the truth of who you are.” [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When the mind stops defining itself, a gap opens in perception, allowing silence and the recognition of true self beyond mental constructs. **In simple terms:** Letting go of self‑definition reveals inner silence and true self. Key Takeaway Quiet the mind to discover authentic self. Themes self‑identity perception silence spiritual awakening Mood calm insightful hopeful Type spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - meditation - therapy - personal introspection - spiritual practice Key Concepts mindfulness non‑duality consciousness Questions to Reflect On - What self‑labels limit you? - How can you experience the gap in perception? A Different Perspective Requires deep practice; may be abstract for beginners. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Cracks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cracks/) [Definitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definitions/) [Filled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filled/) [Fulfilment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fulfilment/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Mental Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-activity-1275758/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Opening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opening/) [Opening Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opening-mind-778942/) [Perception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perception/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Definition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-definition-247602/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) [That moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/that-moment/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Who you are](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who-you-are/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [When all mental activity around who you think you are or what you need for happiness is stopped, there is a crack in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/when-all-mental-activity-around-who-you-think-you-are-or-what-you/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [Remove the heavy clothing of your self-definition. You are not woman, you are not American, you are not son, you are not spiritual seeker,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-frazier/remove-the-heavy-clothing-of-your-self-definition-you-are-not-woman/) [Jan Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-frazier/) > [One challenge of growing up in the twenty-first century will be to acquire a self-definition that can encompass person and planet, socially constructed self…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-truett-anderson/one-challenge-of-growing-up-in-the-twenty-first-century-will-be-to/) [Walter Truett Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-truett-anderson/) > [Every act is an act of self definition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/every-act-is-an-act-of-self-definition/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [“Change means growth, and growth can be painful. 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Every act is an act of self-definition . Everything you think, say and do sends a message about you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/your-whole-life-is-a-message-every-act-is-an-act-of-self-definition/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [“There is no real separation or gap in consciousness. ‘I AM’ cannot be divided. I may conceive myself to be a rich man, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neville/there-is-no-real-separation-or-gap-in-consciousness-i-am-cannot-be/) [Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neville/) > [You can't ever put your self-definition in the hands of somebody who meets you for 15 minutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helena-bonham-carter/you-can-t-ever-put-your-self-definition-in-the-hands-of-somebody-who/) [Helena Bonham Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helena-bonham-carter/) > [I will not be "famous," "great." I will go on adventuring, changing, opening my mind and my eyes, refusing to be stamped and stereotyped.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/i-will-not-be-famous-great-i-will-go-on-adventuring-changing-opening/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [Really connecting with someone and maybe opening their mind a little bit, is such a cool thing to be able to do through music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kacey-musgraves/really-connecting-with-someone-and-maybe-opening-their-mind-a-little/) [Kacey Musgraves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kacey-musgraves/) > [You cannot reform your society or institution without opening your mind. So the core issue is how to open the mind, the whole society,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bashar-al-assad/you-cannot-reform-your-society-or-institution-without-opening-your/) [Bashar al-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bashar-al-assad/) ## More by Gangaji > [But somehow in identifying myself as the healer, there was still a seed of both self-righteousness and defense from a kind of emptiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/but-somehow-in-identifying-myself-as-the-healer-there-was-still-a/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [Fulfillment has nothing to do with circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/fulfillment-has-nothing-to-do-with-circumstances/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [I support people if they are called to be active and protesting, resisting, working for restoration or, for more just political conversation. I also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/i-support-people-if-they-are-called-to-be-active-and-protesting/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [I don't mean to say that you shouldn't take care of your body, or want to keep it from dying. But it doesn't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/i-don-t-mean-to-say-that-you-shouldn-t-take-care-of-your-body-or-want/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [When all mental activity around who you think you are or what you need for happiness is stopped, there is a crack in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/when-all-mental-activity-around-who-you-think-you-are-or-what-you/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [If you will stop all searching right now and tell the truth to yourself, you will know what is known in the core of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/if-you-will-stop-all-searching-right-now-and-tell-the-truth-to/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [Recognize, you ARE Home. Not, you are 'at home'... you ARE Home. Not, you have 'come home'... you ARE Home. You are that which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/recognize-you-are-home-not-you-are-at-home-you-are-home-not-you-have/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [If you are willing to experience anything directly and immediately, whether good or bad, joyous or hateful, you will recognize that what you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/if-you-are-willing-to-experience-anything-directly-and-immediately/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [“We have tried everything to get rid of suffering. We have gone everywhere to get rid of suffering. We have bought everything to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/we-have-tried-everything-to-get-rid-of-suffering-we-have-gone/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [Be still. it takes no effort to be still; it is utterly simple. When your mind is still, you have no name, you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/be-still-it-takes-no-effort-to-be-still-it-is-utterly-simple-when/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [Under the obsessive thoughts and plans, under the emotions, positive and negative, there is an ocean of peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/under-the-obsessive-thoughts-and-plans-under-the-emotions-positive/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [What ever we embrace eventually reveals the place we have been seeking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/what-ever-we-embrace-eventually-reveals-the-place-we-have-been-seeking/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [I'm a student of history and know that civilizations get lost - they are born and die - and so I recognize the tender…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/i-m-a-student-of-history-and-know-that-civilizations-get-lost-they/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [You have the freedom, ability and authority to love your life. Just be you, then wait.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/you-have-the-freedom-ability-and-authority-to-love-your-life-just-be/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) > [If you're laughing, you're healing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangaji/if-you-re-laughing-you-re-healing/) [Gangaji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) [Explore all 62 Gangaji quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangaji/) ## More Authority quotes > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [I think people need to be comfortable questioning the authority of a doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susannah-cahalan/i-think-people-need-to-be-comfortable-questioning-the-authority-of-a/) [Susannah Cahalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susannah-cahalan/) > [At a distance, we cannot conceive of the authority of a despot who knows all his subjects on sight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stendhal/at-a-distance-we-cannot-conceive-of-the-authority-of-a-despot-who/) [Stendhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stendhal/) > [Throughout human history, as our species has faced the frightening, terrorizing fact that we do not know who we are, or where we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/throughout-human-history-as-our-species-has-faced-the-frightening/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) > [“I'm of the age and immaturity level that I cannot give you my respect solely because you are older or ranked higher on an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-goros/i-m-of-the-age-and-immaturity-level-that-i-cannot-give-you-my-respect/) [Erica Goros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-goros/) > [In the end theologians are jealous of science, for they are aware that it has greater authority than do their own ways of finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/in-the-end-theologians-are-jealous-of-science-for-they-are-aware-that/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [The execution was set for the 29th of March, at nine in the morning. This delay was due to a desire on the part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-execution-was-set-for-the-29th-of-march-at-nine-in-the-morning/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/) [Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/) > [“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. 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Hamas has a vision and a program, and this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ismail-haniyeh/the-victory-of-hamas-is-not-only-based-on-the-corruption-of-the/) [Ismail Haniyeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ismail-haniyeh/) [Browse all 4,003 Authority quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When all mental activity around who you think you are is stopped, there is a crack in the authority of perception, in the structure of the mind. I invite you to enter through that crack. Come in through that opening. When you do, the mind is no longer filled with its latest self-definition. In that moment, there is only silence. 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