--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As the mind shrinks at the will of the…" description: "\"As the mind shrinks at the will of the initiate, thought flows in to fill the spaces so created.\" — Ian Gardner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/ian-gardner-29074_flow_as-the-mind-shrinks-at-the-will-of-the-i_1596083.jpg" --- # As the mind shrinks at the will of the initiate, thought… ![“As the mind shrinks at the will of the initiate, thought flows in to fill the spaces so created.” quote by Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/ian-gardner-29074_flow_as-the-mind-shrinks-at-the-will-of-the-i_1596083.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/ian-gardner-29074_flow_as-the-mind-shrinks-at-the-will-of-the-i_1596083.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/ian-gardner-29074_flow_as-the-mind-shrinks-at-the-will-of-the-i_1596083.jpg) > “As the mind shrinks at the will of the initiate, thought flows in to fill the spaces so created.” [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) ## 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 narrows, thoughts expand to occupy the void, revealing hidden ideas. **In simple terms:** Limited mind expands thought. Key Takeaway Embrace mental openness. Themes mind expansion thought Mood curious analytical Type philosophical introspective When to use this quote - creative brainstorming - problem solving Key Concepts cognitive flexibility psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you handle mental gaps? - What fills your mental void? A Different Perspective Overexpansion can cause confusion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Flow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flow/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Shrinks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shrinks/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) ## Related quotes > [A minute analysis of life at once destroys that splendor which dazzles the imagination. Whatsoever grandeur can display, or luxury enjoy, is procured by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/a-minute-analysis-of-life-at-once-destroys-that-splendor-which/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Ah! mon Dieu! how the mind shrinks by loving! it is true that the soul does not, but what can one do with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-julie-eleonore-de-lespinasse/ah-mon-dieu-how-the-mind-shrinks-by-loving-it-is-true-that-the-soul/) [Jeanne Julie Eleonore de Lespinasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-julie-eleonore-de-lespinasse/) > [The stream of thought flows on; but most of its segments fall into the bottomless abyss of oblivion. Of some, no memory survives the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/the-stream-of-thought-flows-on-but-most-of-its-segments-fall-into-the/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [I’m dazzled by your facility. In ten days you’ll have written six stories! I don’t understand it… I’m like one of those old aqueducts:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/i-m-dazzled-by-your-facility-in-ten-days-you-ll-have-written-six/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [“Stranger: 'Are not thought and speech the same, with this exception, that what is called thought is the unuttered conversation of the soul with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/stranger-are-not-thought-and-speech-the-same-with-this-exception-that/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Speech is as a pump, by which we raise and pour out the water from the great lake of Thought,--whither it flows back again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sterling/speech-is-as-a-pump-by-which-we-raise-and-pour-out-the-water-from-the/) [John Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sterling/) > [“The mirror of our mind always shrinks our reflection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/the-mirror-of-our-mind-always-shrinks-our-reflection/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. His heart withers if it does not answer another heart.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/the-person-who-tries-to-live-alone-will-not-succeed-as-a-human-being/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [“The mind shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s wisdom; the heart, in proportion to one’s courage; and the soul, in proportion to one’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/the-mind-shrinks-or-expands-in-proportion-to-one-s-wisdom-the-heart/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [The easiest thing is to react. The second easiest thing is to respond. But the hardest thing is to initiate. – When people ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/the-easiest-thing-is-to-react-the-second-easiest-thing-is-to-respond/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [Women initiate most domestic violence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-charney/women-initiate-most-domestic-violence/) [Dov Charney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-charney/) > [As you become comfortable with uncertainty, infinite possibilities open up in your life. It means fear is no longer a dominant factor in what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/as-you-become-comfortable-with-uncertainty-infinite-possibilities/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Belief initiates and guides action - or it does nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-butler/belief-initiates-and-guides-action-or-it-does-nothing/) [Octavia Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-butler/) > [I normally don't initiate conversations with guys unless they want to talk about certain things - when I'm at the facility, I'm there to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kluwe/i-normally-don-t-initiate-conversations-with-guys-unless-they-want-to/) [Chris Kluwe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kluwe/) > [I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/i-hope-that-the-palestinians-don-t-make-the-mistake-of-unleashing-a/) [Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/) ## More by Ian Gardner > [Enjoy the necessities of life but eschew the excesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/enjoy-the-necessities-of-life-but-eschew-the-excesses/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [If we cut open the bud of a beautiful rose in order to see how it is 'packed' and what it is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/if-we-cut-open-the-bud-of-a-beautiful-rose-in-order-to-see-how-it-is/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [The mind is acquired "human nature". The conscience is inherent "spiritual nature".](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/the-mind-is-acquired-human-nature-the-conscience-is-inherent/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [Mind is the Soul speaking and Conscience is the Spirit speaking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/mind-is-the-soul-speaking-and-conscience-is-the-spirit-speaking/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [Don't give - give up!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/don-t-give-give-up/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [That we do not comprehend or accept something does not invalidate its truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/that-we-do-not-comprehend-or-accept-something-does-not-invalidate-its/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [Far superior to the pleasures and rewards of the illusion that is Earthly life are the pleasure and rewards of the Reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/far-superior-to-the-pleasures-and-rewards-of-the-illusion-that-is/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [Forgiveness. It is beneficial to forgive but better not to condemn in the first place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/forgiveness-it-is-beneficial-to-forgive-but-better-not-to-condemn-in/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [My Body, My Soul and I. My body is mine, but my body is not me, My body is an expression of my soul.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/my-body-my-soul-and-i-my-body-is-mine-but-my-body-is-not-me-my-body/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [To have knowledge and to know are two different things, and one is possible without the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/to-have-knowledge-and-to-know-are-two-different-things-and-one-is/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [We are all Spirit experiencing a process set up to facilitate its (each Spirit's) understanding of its true identity and, through that understanding, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/we-are-all-spirit-experiencing-a-process-set-up-to-facilitate-its/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [The world is your oyster. Yes, but in that oyster is the pearl; and to get to the pearl one has to first discard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/the-world-is-your-oyster-yes-but-in-that-oyster-is-the-pearl-and-to/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [The purpose of human life is the dissolution of the soul and the revelation of the Spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/the-purpose-of-human-life-is-the-dissolution-of-the-soul-and-the/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [There is the joy that is one's state of the being and there is the joy that is one's state of mind. The first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/there-is-the-joy-that-is-one-s-state-of-the-being-and-there-is-the/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [There are no successes and failures in life, only achievements - stepping stones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/there-are-no-successes-and-failures-in-life-only-achievements/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) [Explore all 18 Ian Gardner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) ## More Flow quotes > [Humanitarian goods and people must flow in both directions. Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cameron/humanitarian-goods-and-people-must-flow-in-both-directions-gaza/) [David Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cameron/) > [Memory is funny. Once you hit a vein the problem is not how to remember but how to control the flow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobias-wolff/memory-is-funny-once-you-hit-a-vein-the-problem-is-not-how-to/) [Tobias Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobias-wolff/) > [Behind every word flows energy. If you use your words to gossip or babble about what you are going to do before you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-choquette/behind-every-word-flows-energy-if-you-use-your-words-to-gossip-or/) [Sonia Choquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-choquette/) > [We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/we-need-to-discover-all-over-again-that-worship-is-natural-to-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [I take the seashell from my jeans pocket and rub my fingers across its silken, indented surface, shallow as my own open hand. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katrina-kenison/i-take-the-seashell-from-my-jeans-pocket-and-rub-my-fingers-across/) [Katrina Kenison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katrina-kenison/) > [Like the water of a deep stream, love is always too much. We did not make it. Though we drink till we burst, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/like-the-water-of-a-deep-stream-love-is-always-too-much-we-did-not/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [Forgetting your Self is the greatest injury; all the calamities flow from it. Take care of the most important, the lesser will take care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/forgetting-your-self-is-the-greatest-injury-all-the-calamities-flow/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [“When we strike a balance between the challenge of an activity and our skill at performing it, when the rhythm of the work itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-gore/when-we-strike-a-balance-between-the-challenge-of-an-activity-and-our/) [Ariel Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-gore/) > [When we fall utterly, something gathers us up. But our falling must be without reservation, without expectation, without hope, though not hopeless. You cant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-housden/when-we-fall-utterly-something-gathers-us-up-but-our-falling-must-be/) [Roger Housden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-housden/) > [I have this belief about things happening organically. I believe life has this organic flow in a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naoko-mori/i-have-this-belief-about-things-happening-organically-i-believe-life/) Naoko Mori > [Sometimes by a woodland stream he watched the water rush over the pebbled bed, its tiny modulations of bounce and flow. A woman's body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/sometimes-by-a-woodland-stream-he-watched-the-water-rush-over-the/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [David Rockefeller is the most conspicuous representative today of the ruling class, a multinational fraternity of men who shape the global economy and manage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-moyers/david-rockefeller-is-the-most-conspicuous-representative-today-of-the/) [Bill Moyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-moyers/) > [The tides which flow and lapse in the Bristol Channel are often distained by the freshets of many streams falling through wooded coombes below…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-williamson/the-tides-which-flow-and-lapse-in-the-bristol-channel-are-often/) [Henry Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-williamson/) > [“Life is a flow which we can either resist or go with it gracefully.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tonmoy-acharjee/life-is-a-flow-which-we-can-either-resist-or-go-with-it-gracefully/) Tonmoy Acharjee > [What a strange power the perception of beauty is! It seems to ebb and flow like some secret tide, independent alike of health and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-benson/what-a-strange-power-the-perception-of-beauty-is-it-seems-to-ebb-and/) [A. C. Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-benson/) [Browse all 3,282 Flow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flow/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As the mind shrinks at the will of the initiate, thought flows in to fill the spaces so created.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ian Gardner" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/as-the-mind-shrinks-at-the-will-of-the-initiate-thought-flows-in-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Flow" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/as-the-mind-shrinks-at-the-will-of-the-initiate-thought-flows-in-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/ian-gardner-29074_flow_as-the-mind-shrinks-at-the-will-of-the-i_1596083.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/ian-gardner-29074_flow_as-the-mind-shrinks-at-the-will-of-the-i_1596083.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/ian-gardner-29074_flow_as-the-mind-shrinks-at-the-will-of-the-i_1596083.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As the mind shrinks at the will of the initiate, thought flows in to fill the spaces so created.” — Ian Gardner", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ian Gardner", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As the mind shrinks at the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/as-the-mind-shrinks-at-the-will-of-the-initiate-thought-flows-in-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/as-the-mind-shrinks-at-the-will-of-the-initiate-thought-flows-in-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```