--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can see your thoughts and emotions…" description: "\"“You can see your thoughts and emotions arise & create space for them even if they are uncomfortable.”\" — Sharon Salzberg" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0f/sharon-salzberg-562_emotions_you-can-see-your-thoughts-and-emotions-a_3033552.png" --- # You can see your thoughts and emotions arise & create… ![“You can see your thoughts and emotions arise & create space for them even if they are uncomfortable.” quote by Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0f/sharon-salzberg-562_emotions_you-can-see-your-thoughts-and-emotions-a_3033552.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0f/sharon-salzberg-562_emotions_you-can-see-your-thoughts-and-emotions-a_3033552.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0f/sharon-salzberg-562_emotions_you-can-see-your-thoughts-and-emotions-a_3033552.png) > ““You can see your thoughts and emotions arise & create space for them even if they are uncomfortable.”” [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. Observing thoughts and emotions creates mental space, even when uncomfortable, allowing mindful response rather than reactivity. **In simple terms:** Seeing thoughts creates space. Key Takeaway Notice thoughts, then choose response. Themes mindfulness self-awareness emotional regulation Mood calm reflective Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - therapy sessions - daily meditation - stressful work - conflict resolution Key Concepts meditation psychology compassion Questions to Reflect On - How can you practice observing without judgment? - What space does this create for decision making? A Different Perspective May be difficult without practice; discomfort can trigger avoidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Create Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/create-space/) [Emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotions/) [Emotions Arise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotions-arise-951229/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Mindfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindfulness/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Space Uncomfortable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space-uncomfortable-4967176/) [Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts/) [Thoughts and emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts-and-emotions/) [Thoughts Emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts-emotions/) ## Related quotes > [Thoughts and emotions will always arise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzigar-kongtrul-rinpoche/thoughts-and-emotions-will-always-arise/) [Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzigar-kongtrul-rinpoche/) > [Most of us have unhealthy thoughts and emotions that have either developed as a result of trauma or hardships in their childhood, or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-seagal/most-of-us-have-unhealthy-thoughts-and-emotions-that-have-either/) [Steven Seagal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-seagal/) > [“If we try to hold on to so many things, both real and imaginary, thoughts and emotions, fears, worries and expectations, then we begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gyalwa-dokhampa/if-we-try-to-hold-on-to-so-many-things-both-real-and-imaginary/) [Gyalwa Dokhampa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gyalwa-dokhampa/) > [“For a writer, it seems a help rather than a hindrance to be at least a little crazy. Who but a crazy person would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leland-dirks/for-a-writer-it-seems-a-help-rather-than-a-hindrance-to-be-at-least-a/) [Leland Dirks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leland-dirks/) > [“We seldom realize, for example, that our most private thoughts and emotions are not actually our own. For we think in terms of languages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-wilson-watts/we-seldom-realize-for-example-that-our-most-private-thoughts-and/) [Alan Wilson Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-wilson-watts/) > [Every day I tell myself 'My thoughts and emotions are the only thing that are stopping me, so I am stopping them!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-day-i-tell-myself-my-thoughts-and-emotions-are-the-only-thing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Be present as the watcher of your mind- of your thoughts and emotions as well as your reactions in various situations”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/be-present-as-the-watcher-of-your-mind-of-your-thoughts-and-emotions/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [When I got to write for the 'Battlefield' record, it was almost therapeutic. I had gone through a few things in the two years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordin-sparks/when-i-got-to-write-for-the-battlefield-record-it-was-almost/) [Jordin Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordin-sparks/) > [“Normally we are so identified with our thoughts and emotions, that we are them. We are the happiness, we are the anger, we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-mackenzie/normally-we-are-so-identified-with-our-thoughts-and-emotions-that-we/) [Vicki Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-mackenzie/) > [Just as the ocean has waves or the sun has rays, so the minds's own radiance is its thoughts and emotions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/just-as-the-ocean-has-waves-or-the-sun-has-rays-so-the-minds-s-own/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [T Sixteen relised a cold world and relised my childhood was nothing but a dream.Then woke up and there it hit me the reall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-mcdonald/t-sixteen-relised-a-cold-world-and-relised-my-childhood-was-nothing/) [Aaron Mcdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-mcdonald/) > [The kind of happiness that stays with you is the happiness that springs from inward thoughts and emotions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lyon-phelps/the-kind-of-happiness-that-stays-with-you-is-the-happiness-that/) [William Lyon Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lyon-phelps/) > [What good are thoughts and emotions-in fact all of our experiences-if not to increase our realization?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzigar-kongtrul-rinpoche/what-good-are-thoughts-and-emotions-in-fact-all-of-our-experiences-if/) [Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzigar-kongtrul-rinpoche/) > [“What shows up in our lives is a direct reflection of our inner thoughts and emotions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-grout/what-shows-up-in-our-lives-is-a-direct-reflection-of-our-inner/) [Pam Grout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-grout/) > [Water has memory. Depending on how you treat it, what kind of thoughts and emotions you generate, accordingly it behaves in your body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaggi-vasudev/water-has-memory-depending-on-how-you-treat-it-what-kind-of-thoughts/) [Jaggi Vasudev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaggi-vasudev/) ## More by Sharon Salzberg > [Some things hurt, you know, and there's pain. But we magnify the suffering of it often, I think, by our reactions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/some-things-hurt-you-know-and-there-s-pain-but-we-magnify-the/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“How we traverse the space between us when conflict arises has a profound effect on the health and longevity of our relationships.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/how-we-traverse-the-space-between-us-when-conflict-arises-has-a/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Even when we do our very best to treat those close to us with utmost respect and understanding, conflict happens. That’s life. That’s human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/even-when-we-do-our-very-best-to-treat-those-close-to-us-with-utmost/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Loving ourselves calls us to give up the illusion that we can control everything and focuses us on building our inner resource of resilience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/loving-ourselves-calls-us-to-give-up-the-illusion-that-we-can-control/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [In order to do anything about the suffering of the world we must have the strength to face it without turning away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/in-order-to-do-anything-about-the-suffering-of-the-world-we-must-have/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“When we believe a wounding story, our whole world is diminished.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-believe-a-wounding-story-our-whole-world-is-diminished/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“The paradigm for our relationships is formed from our earliest experiences and is actually hardwired into our neurological and emotional network.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/the-paradigm-for-our-relationships-is-formed-from-our-earliest/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Vulnerability in the face of constant change is what we share, whatever our present condition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/vulnerability-in-the-face-of-constant-change-is-what-we-share/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Asking questions is an opportunity for creativity and personal expression, both for the person asking and the person answering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/asking-questions-is-an-opportunity-for-creativity-and-personal/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Compassion isn't morose; it's something replenishing and opening; that's why it makes us happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/compassion-isn-t-morose-it-s-something-replenishing-and-opening-that/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“When we open our hearts to the breadth of our experiences, we learn to tune into our needs, unique perceptions, thoughts & feelings”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-open-our-hearts-to-the-breadth-of-our-experiences-we-learn-to/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“As we explore new ways of loving and being loved by others, we need to equip ourselves with open, pliant minds; we need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/as-we-explore-new-ways-of-loving-and-being-loved-by-others-we-need-to/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Even in the midst of devastation, something within us always points the way to freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/even-in-the-midst-of-devastation-something-within-us-always-points/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“It's important to investigate the nature of anger because it is such a powerful energy and can be so destructive. When we can face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/it-s-important-to-investigate-the-nature-of-anger-because-it-is-such/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“When we contemplate the miracle of embodied life, we begin to partner with our bodies in a kinder way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-contemplate-the-miracle-of-embodied-life-we-begin-to-partner/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) [Explore all 473 Sharon Salzberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) ## More Emotions quotes > [William Maxwell's my favorite North American writer, I think. 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It's a complicated emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlin/of-course-i-like-you-it-s-because-i-like-you-i-don-t-wanna-be-with/) [Marlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlin/) > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My mind has trouble processing all the emotions I feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-mind-has-trouble-processing-all-the-emotions-i-feel/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Its a lack of clarity that creates chaos and frustration. Those emotions are poison to any living goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/its-a-lack-of-clarity-that-creates-chaos-and-frustration-those/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. 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I always cry at movies, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/i-grew-up-in-a-blue-collar-neighborhood-and-was-raised-by-a-man-who/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) [Browse all 4,415 Emotions quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotions/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“You can see your thoughts and emotions arise & create space for them even if they are uncomfortable.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sharon Salzberg" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/you-can-see-your-thoughts-and-emotions-arise-create-space-for-them/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Emotions" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/you-can-see-your-thoughts-and-emotions-arise-create-space-for-them/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0f/sharon-salzberg-562_emotions_you-can-see-your-thoughts-and-emotions-a_3033552.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0f/sharon-salzberg-562_emotions_you-can-see-your-thoughts-and-emotions-a_3033552.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0f/sharon-salzberg-562_emotions_you-can-see-your-thoughts-and-emotions-a_3033552.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You can see your thoughts and emotions arise & create space for them even if they are uncomfortable.” — Sharon Salzberg", "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": "Sharon Salzberg", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“You can see your thoughts and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/you-can-see-your-thoughts-and-emotions-arise-create-space-for-them/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/you-can-see-your-thoughts-and-emotions-arise-create-space-for-them/#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 } } ] } ```