The Baal Shem Tov: Where Your Thoughts Take You

You are where your thoughts are—see to it that your thoughts are where you want to be.

Attribution printed on the image: The Baal Shem Tov

A reflection on the teaching

Our body may be in one place while our attention is occupied by yesterday's argument or tomorrow's worry. The saying attributed here to the Baal Shem Tov asks us to notice where our thoughts keep taking us. This does not mean that every unwanted thought defines us, or that thoughts can always be controlled on command. We can still choose what to return our attention to. During learning, davening or a conversation, a gentle return to what matters may be more useful than fighting ourselves for having wandered.

Source note: The attribution above is transcribed from the image. The exact source and English wording have not been independently verified.