Have you ever noticed how a single thought can shift your whole day? Perhaps you woke up feeling tired, and the thought “Today is going to be hard” set the tone for everything that followed. Or maybe you began with “I can handle whatever comes my way,” and suddenly the challenges felt lighter.
This is not just positive thinking; it’s a deeper truth: the universe is mental.
As The Kybalion teaches in its first Hermetic Principle, “The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental.” This idea, first shared over a century ago but rooted in ancient wisdom, points to the fact that everything we experience begins first in the realm of thought. Our minds are the architects of the reality we live in.
Why Thoughts Matter So Much
Our minds are constantly filtering reality. Psychologists estimate we have tens of thousands of thoughts per day, many of them habitual, repeating patterns from yesterday, last week, or even years ago. These thoughts affect:
- Emotions: A self-critical thought can create shame or anxiety. A compassionate thought can generate calm or motivation.
- Behaviours: If we believe “I’ll never succeed,” we may not even try. If we think “I can learn along the way,” we take action and grow.
- Relationships: Beliefs like “People can’t be trusted” close us off, while “Connection is possible” helps us stay open to intimacy.
As Brené Brown reminds us, “What we know matters, but who we are matters more.” The stories we tell ourselves about who we are shape not only our self-concept, but also how we show up in the world. When we shift our thinking, we reshape our story, and our lives follow.
Science Meets Philosophy
Ancient wisdom traditions and modern psychology agree: what we hold in mind tends to manifest in life.
- The Kybalion frames this as a universal law: our external world reflects the state of our inner mind.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) teaches that changing unhelpful thought patterns can change our emotions and behaviours.
- Neuroscience shows that repeated thoughts strengthen neural pathways, the brain literally “wires” according to how we think.
This doesn’t mean we are responsible for everything that happens to us. Life will always bring circumstances beyond our control. But it does mean we hold powerful influence over how we experience and respond to those circumstances.
Changing Your Thinking, Changing Your Life
Transformation begins with awareness.
- Notice your inner dialogue. Pay attention to recurring thoughts, especially the critical or limiting ones.
- Pause and question. Ask: Is this thought true? Is it helpful? Where did it come from?
- Choose a new lens. Instead of “I always mess up,” try “I am learning and growing.” Instead of “It’s hopeless,” consider “There may be another way.”
- Practice daily. Just like building muscle, shifting thought patterns requires repetition. With practice, new ways of thinking become more natural.
Small shifts in thought can create powerful ripples, not just inside our minds, but in the lives we build.
Why This Matters for Healing
When we start to change the way we think, we begin to:
- Reduce anxiety and stress.
- Strengthen resilience in the face of challenges.
- Open ourselves to healthier relationships.
- Create space for joy, creativity, and peace.
Healing doesn’t mean ignoring pain or pretending everything is fine. As Brené Brown also says, “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.” Changing our thinking is not about denial, it’s about taking back your power, choosing compassion over criticism, and rewriting the inner story that shapes our lives.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Changing long-held thought patterns is powerful, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially if those patterns were shaped by trauma, stress, or difficult experiences. That’s where support can make all the difference.
As a therapist, I help people notice the thoughts that are holding them back, develop healthier perspectives, and move toward lives that feel aligned and meaningful.
If you’re ready to explore how changing your thinking can change your life, I’d love to support you.
With love & renewal,
Laura
References & Further Reading
- The Kybalion (Three Initiates, 1908). A foundational Hermetic text exploring universal principles, including “The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental.”
- Brené Brown – Researcher and author on vulnerability, courage, shame, and resilience. Books such as The Gifts of Imperfection (2010), Daring Greatly (2012), and Rising Strong (2015) explore how the stories we tell ourselves shape our lives.
- Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Basics and Beyond. An accessible introduction to how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours interact.
- Siegel, D. J. (2012). The Developing Mind. Neuroscientific perspective on how experiences and repeated thought patterns shape the brain.
