Brain or Mind?

Picture of half lightbulb and half brain

Lately, I’m hearing more and more people talk about feeling overwhelmed by their negative thoughts. Many say they wish they could just “shut off” their brain. Are all those negative thoughts coming from the brain?

Consider this…both the brain and the mind play a part in what we’re thinking. Is the brain really the problem or is it the mind? There’s a difference!

The brain is a physical organ. It processes sensory input, stores memories, regulates our body, and generates thoughts and emotions.

The mind, on the other hand is non-physical. It’s where our awareness, choices, intentions, and interpretations live. The mind gives meaning to what the brain processes.

Think about it this way: if a surgeon opened up the skull, they would find the physical brain—but they wouldn’t find the mind.

It’s like a computer. The brain is the hardware…the circuits and components. The mind is the software…the awareness, thought patterns, feelings, and beliefs that run on the hardware.

Negative thoughts may come from the brain’s automatic responses, like fear or old habits, but the mind is the part that observes, questions, and reshapes those responses.

Why is this important to know?

Because overwhelming negative thoughts are usually tied to what’s happening in the mind. To work with the mind, we need to understand how it operates and learn to guide it so it responds with awareness rather than reacting from old, wired-in patterns.

There are two key processes the mind often follows. Seeking pleasure to avoid pain and creates problems where none exist. 

1. Seeking Pleasure to Avoid Pain

The mind constantly seeks pleasure in order to avoid pain. We think that if we just get more of something…more money, more time, more rest…we’ll avoid discomfort and finally feel happy.

Of course, it’s natural to want pleasure and avoid pain. The point isn’t to stop seeking pleasure, but to become aware of how the mind operates.

For example, imagine you’ve been feeling exhausted and plan two days off work to rest. When the time off arrives, your mind immediately shifts, reminding you of all the things you “should” be doing. Thoughts surface related to worrying about the work piling up while you’re away.

You sought rest (pleasure), but now your mind is focused on the pain of what you might be missing or falling behind on. This is how the mind flips so quickly from seeking pleasure to avoiding pain.

2. Creating Problems

The mind has a habit of creating problems even when none exist.

You might notice this when making decisions. The moment we choose something, the mind starts questioning it: “Was that the right choice? What if something goes wrong? Why do we even need to make a choice?”

For example, we’ve been working non-stop for a week and decide to take the afternoon off to spend time with our kids. Almost immediately, the mind starts whispering, “What if we fall behind at work? What if we shouldn’t take the time off because we need the money?”

The truth is, there’s no actual problem! We’ve made a healthy decision and now the mind stirs up doubts and fears within.

How do we move beyond the chatter of the mind?

It starts with awareness. Awareness is one of the most powerful tools we have when it comes to working with the mind. Why?

Because the moment we become consciously aware of our overwhelming or negative thoughts, we place ourselves in a position of power…able to shift what we focus on. And from personal experience, I know that’s often easier said than done.

We need to become more conscious of what we’re thinking and notice how those thoughts are actually affecting our lives.

When we find ourselves suffering, caught in cycles of “I have to…”, “I need more…”, striving, pushing, or rushing, we’re usually tangled in thought patterns that pull us away from peace and joy in the present moment.

There’s no one right way to do life. Every path, every choice, brings us a chance to learn, grow, and evolve.

Growth doesn’t just come from the good times. Our challenges and discomforts also carry messages, nudging us inward to reconnect with what feels true and right for us, no matter what the mind tries to convince us.

Sometimes the answer isn’t to do more, but to pause… step back, reassess, and ask what really matters right now or what’s actually possible.

This isn’t about rejecting the mind. We need it. But in moments when we feel overwhelmed by negative thinking, we can gently come back to awareness.

Maybe what we’re truly searching for is not a way to quiet the mind entirely, but a way to recognize its influence and then re-center ourselves by listening to our own inner wisdom.

Wherever you are on your journey, may you find your own truth…find what works for you… And you’ll always be guided to feel at peace inside.