Can’t say no to Walrus hugs.

You clearly have a loving, compassionate, understanding heart. You have brightened my day just by existing. 🙂 And I think your sweet heart is the best tool you could possibly have to hack this problem.

Turn your loving heart to the images and thoughts you don’t want to have. They are in your mind, so they’re a part of you, and they need love and acceptance like any other part. Try something like this, perhaps.

Oh, look, there’s that thought again. Yes, hello thought, there you are. Even though I’m not sure why you’re here right now, I’m willing to have you since, well, here you are. And even though you’re an ugly thought, I know you probably just need a little time and space to be noticed and play out, and then maybe you’ll move on again, so go ahead. I’m paying attention. Even though I don’t like what you say, I know I don’t have to believe it. Even though you’re disturbing to me, I know it doesn’t say anything bad about me to have thoughts like you.

Etc. Welcome the thought. Talk to it, or just sit with it quietly in friendly silence. Turn your loving heart to the thoughts you don’t want to have. Turn it to the feelings those thoughts bring up in you. Turn it to yourself when you find it hard to do this. If you find you can’t do it, turn your loving heart to the thought “I can’t do it” and welcome that. Keep going until the unpleasantness fades.

I know this may seem completely weird or even impossible to you. But you asked what others do, and this is what I’ve found to be most effective when dealing with intrusive, unwanted thoughts. In fact, it’s the only thing I’ve found to help at all.

So I hope it helps you too. My love to you, and your beautiful, precious, sensitive heart.