--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am not my thoughts, feelings…" description: "\"I am not my thoughts, feelings, circumstances of changing events in life, I am the awareness, the alertness, the changeless which remains present behin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36c/marcus-thomas-48992_alertness_i-am-not-my-thoughts-feelings-circumstan_1198588.png" --- # I am not my thoughts, feelings, circumstances of changing… ![“I am not my thoughts, feelings, circumstances of changing events in life, I am the awareness, the alertness, the changeless which remains present behind it.” quote by Marcus Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36c/marcus-thomas-48992_alertness_i-am-not-my-thoughts-feelings-circumstan_1198588.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36c/marcus-thomas-48992_alertness_i-am-not-my-thoughts-feelings-circumstan_1198588.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36c/marcus-thomas-48992_alertness_i-am-not-my-thoughts-feelings-circumstan_1198588.png) > “I am not my thoughts, feelings, circumstances of changing events in life, I am the awareness, the alertness, the changeless which remains present behind it.” [Marcus Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-thomas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We are not defined by fleeting mental or emotional states, but by the constant, observing consciousness that underlies them. **In simple terms:** We are awareness, not our thoughts or feelings. Key Takeaway Cultivate present‑moment awareness. Themes mindfulness identity spirituality Mood calm reflective Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - meditation - stress management - therapy - daily reflection - decision making Key Concepts consciousness non‑attachment presence Questions to Reflect On - How can you notice the observer within during conflict? - What practices keep you grounded? A Different Perspective Awareness can be hard to maintain during intense stress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alertness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alertness/) [Alertness Changeless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alertness-changeless-3585334/) [Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness/) [Awareness Alertness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness-alertness-2669246/) [Behinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behinds/) [Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Events in life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events-in-life-58084/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-awareness-2684268/) [My thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-thoughts/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Remains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remains/) ## Related quotes > [“When awareness and alertness become integral parts of our character, our ignorance and fears gradually start dying out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-prem-jagyasi/when-awareness-and-alertness-become-integral-parts-of-our-character/) [Dr Prem Jagyasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-prem-jagyasi/) > [Contentment comes when you find the people, places, and events in life you were created to impact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-d-jakes/contentment-comes-when-you-find-the-people-places-and-events-in-life/) [T. 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Your awareness is existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-final-result-of-all-life-is-your-awareness-your-awareness-is/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Let your whole life become full of awareness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srinivart/let-your-whole-life-become-full-of-awareness/) [Srinivart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srinivart/) > [“You are walking on a street; a bird is singing, do you hear it? No? Then you are missing the life because life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/you-are-walking-on-a-street-a-bird-is-singing-do-you-hear-it-no-then/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Part of living your life is an awareness of the opportunities that can be missed and an awareness that time moves in one direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/part-of-living-your-life-is-an-awareness-of-the-opportunities-that/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [Life is when awareness hides in the idea of personal experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-kahn/life-is-when-awareness-hides-in-the-idea-of-personal-experience/) [Matthew Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-kahn/) ## More by Marcus Thomas > [Speak your dream into existence and the universe will attract the right circumstances and conditions for it to be realized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-thomas/speak-your-dream-into-existence-and-the-universe-will-attract-the/) [Marcus Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-thomas/) > [Suffering is basically the mind's refusal to accept reality as it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-thomas/suffering-is-basically-the-mind-s-refusal-to-accept-reality-as-it-is/) [Marcus Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-thomas/) > [You're all Buddhas, pretending not to be. You're all the Christ, pretending not to be. You're all Atman, pretending not to be. You're all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-thomas/you-re-all-buddhas-pretending-not-to-be-you-re-all-the-christ/) [Marcus Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-thomas/) > [Love is reality, fear is an illusory concept created in your mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-thomas/love-is-reality-fear-is-an-illusory-concept-created-in-your-mind/) [Marcus Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-thomas/) > [You do not need to be fixed. You are not broken. You have never been broken. You are not in parts. These are just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-thomas/you-do-not-need-to-be-fixed-you-are-not-broken-you-have-never-been/) [Marcus Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-thomas/) > [Whoa! I better lay off the peyote!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-thomas/whoa-i-better-lay-off-the-peyote/) [Marcus Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-thomas/) > [Do not try to be what you are not, be what you are. The Universe has a built in truth recognizer, what ever is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-thomas/do-not-try-to-be-what-you-are-not-be-what-you-are-the-universe-has-a/) [Marcus Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-thomas/) [Explore all 8 Marcus Thomas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-thomas/) ## More Alertness quotes > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Jesus Christ does not teach us a spirituality “of closed eyes”, but one of “alertness”, one which entails an absolute duty to take notice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/jesus-christ-does-not-teach-us-a-spirituality-of-closed-eyes-but-one/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [Sailing a boat calls for quick action, a blending of feeling with the wind and water as well as with the very heart and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-matthew-adams/sailing-a-boat-calls-for-quick-action-a-blending-of-feeling-with-the/) [George Matthew Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-matthew-adams/) > [Shoulda, coulda, and woulda won't get it done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/shoulda-coulda-and-woulda-won-t-get-it-done/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [The same is the case when you enter a womb, enter into a fresh body, and start the journey of desires. But if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/the-same-is-the-case-when-you-enter-a-womb-enter-into-a-fresh-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Quick naps improve your senses, alertness, decision making, and creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/quick-naps-improve-your-senses-alertness-decision-making-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I believe that every person, male and female, needs to be in a protective mode at all times of alertness to potential danger. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/i-believe-that-every-person-male-and-female-needs-to-be-in-a/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [Forgiveness feels most dramatic when some ancient pattern of self-punishment collapses in a torrent of tears. But it is just as effective when practiced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-patrick-miller/forgiveness-feels-most-dramatic-when-some-ancient-pattern-of-self/) [D. Patrick Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-patrick-miller/) > [Alertness is the hidden discipline of familiarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-whyte/alertness-is-the-hidden-discipline-of-familiarity/) [David Whyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-whyte/) > [When you take your attention into the present moment, a certain alertness arises. You become more conscious of what's around you, but also, strangely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/when-you-take-your-attention-into-the-present-moment-a-certain/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“•To become more expert at anything, the community needs to encourage and support the brain/ mind principle of relaxed alertness. Fear can hinder the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-a-flores/to-become-more-expert-at-anything-the-community-needs-to-encourage/) [Kelly a Flores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-a-flores/) > [To be aware of little, quiet things, you need to be quiet inside. A high degree of alertness is required. Be still. Look. Listen.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/to-be-aware-of-little-quiet-things-you-need-to-be-quiet-inside-a-high/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“that alertness for measuring and weighing event against eventuality, circumstance against human nature, his own fallible judgement and mortal clay against not only human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/that-alertness-for-measuring-and-weighing-event-against-eventuality/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [What we must remember, however, is that preservation of liberties does not depend on motives. A suppression of liberty has the same effect whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-o-douglas/what-we-must-remember-however-is-that-preservation-of-liberties-does/) [William O. Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-o-douglas/) > [The practice of 'asanas' and 'pranayama' wards off disease and helps to maintain alertness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sivananda/the-practice-of-asanas-and-pranayama-wards-off-disease-and-helps-to/) [Sivananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sivananda/) [Browse all 82 Alertness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alertness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am not my thoughts, feelings, circumstances of changing events in life, I am the awareness, the alertness, the changeless which remains present behind it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marcus Thomas" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-thomas/i-am-not-my-thoughts-feelings-circumstances-of-changing-events-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alertness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-thomas/i-am-not-my-thoughts-feelings-circumstances-of-changing-events-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36c/marcus-thomas-48992_alertness_i-am-not-my-thoughts-feelings-circumstan_1198588.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36c/marcus-thomas-48992_alertness_i-am-not-my-thoughts-feelings-circumstan_1198588.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36c/marcus-thomas-48992_alertness_i-am-not-my-thoughts-feelings-circumstan_1198588.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I am not my thoughts, feelings, circumstances of changing events in life, I am the awareness, the alertness…” — Marcus Thomas", "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": "Marcus Thomas", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-thomas/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I am not my thoughts, feelings,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-thomas/i-am-not-my-thoughts-feelings-circumstances-of-changing-events-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-thomas/i-am-not-my-thoughts-feelings-circumstances-of-changing-events-in/#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 } } ] } ```