Weeds. Invasive. Unwanted. Like the thinking mind.

Buckthorn is an invasive plant found throughout the American Midwest.  Originally intended as a fast growing decorative hedge, it developed into metastatic overgrowth choking out native plants.  It creates problems for the environment.  Every spring and summer this thorny scourge gets chopped and pulled. It is grueling and sometimes tearful work. The process involves getting at the roots. It requires the right tools,  perseverance, appropriate rest and maybe even some rewarding potato salad.

The same is true of the thinking mind.

Michigan State University Department of Horticulture’s Bill Cook says “buckthorn is impossible to eradicate.” However,  eliminating it will improve the habitat on any property (used with permission). The thinking mind functions the same way. Although it is impossible to eradicate invasive thoughts, eliminating them will improve the mind’s habitat.

Negative thoughts are the buckthorn of the thinking mind.  The weed clearing of the mind begins with recognition. Tools like awareness and meditation identify the invasive thought species. Once managed, the habitat of the mind begins to improve.  Healthy native thought species begin to emerge.

The Buckthorn of the yard/mind will never go away but it can be managed. The sweat and tears pay off.  The yard/mind clears bit by bit. Healthy things like clarity, rest and, potato salad enjoy the temporary demise of the unwanted invader.

Michigan State University on buckthorn

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