--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We can't control what thoughts and…" description: "\"We can't control what thoughts and emotions arise within us, nor can we control the universal truth that everything changes. But we can learn to step b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bde/sharon-salzberg-562_arise_we-can-t-control-what-thoughts-and-emoti_753718.png" --- # We can't control what thoughts and emotions arise within… ![“We can't control what thoughts and emotions arise within us, nor can we control the universal truth that everything changes. But we can learn to step back and rest in the awareness of what's happening. That awareness can be our refuge.” quote by Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bde/sharon-salzberg-562_arise_we-can-t-control-what-thoughts-and-emoti_753718.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bde/sharon-salzberg-562_arise_we-can-t-control-what-thoughts-and-emoti_753718.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bde/sharon-salzberg-562_arise_we-can-t-control-what-thoughts-and-emoti_753718.png) > “We can't control what thoughts and emotions arise within us, nor can we control the universal truth that everything changes. But we can learn to step back and rest in the awareness of what's happening. That awareness can be our refuge.” [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We cannot control thoughts, but we can observe them, finding peace in awareness. **In simple terms:** Awareness steadies the mind. Key Takeaway Practice mindful observation of thoughts. Themes mindfulness impermanence acceptance Mood calm hopeful Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - stress - anxiety - daily routines - therapy Key Concepts meditation psychology spirituality Questions to Reflect On - How can you cultivate awareness daily? - What does refuge mean to you? A Different Perspective Awareness alone may not resolve deep trauma. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arise/) [Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness/) [Awareness Refuge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness-refuge-2067822/) [Control Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control-thoughts/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Happenings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happenings/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Refuge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuge/) [Rest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rest/) [Rest Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rest-awareness-5161906/) [Steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steps/) [Things change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-change/) [Thoughts and emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts-and-emotions/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Universal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universal/) [Universal truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universal-truth/) ## Related quotes > [Go beyond everything. 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