I think what Thayer means when he says this is that other people's explanations are a trap, because no one should determine the world for you. It's up to you to find the answers. For example, in today's generation the media thinks a lot for people. It is consuming much of what people may believe. From the way we act, to the way we think, dress or even the way we speak. We don't understand much because we let others think for us. To understand others we must first understand ourselves. Once we understand ourselves, we can understand and be understood by others. I am a Christian and I always believe in God. I understand that there are thousands of religions and some people may not even be religious. Once I understand where they come from or what they are, I can communicate why I'm willing to change, for a good reason. That doesn't mean that if I talk to an atheist I'm going to say, "Oh, God isn't real." I will simply translate God into something where the message can reach the person. Because I understand that there will be people who don't believe, and I don't want to start a conflict by imposing something on them. I will talk to them in a way that they understand and communication is successful. In the movie The Secret, one of the speakers talks about any belief, everything has the same formula. Whether it is science, Buddhism, Christianity, everything has some form of power from which we succeed once we understand it. Referring to Thayer, I think he is saying that we need to be aware of ourselves, know what we believe, what we think and also what is out there and then we can make changes if necessary when communicating with others... ... . half of the card ......or it's you. We are addicted to thinking, Tolle says, because by making us think all the time the ego gives us a sense of identity. Yet continuous thinking prevents us from simply enjoying being, from enjoying the moment. How can we free ourselves from compulsive thinking? Start by putting your mind into perspective by "observing" what it says and thinks, becoming a witness to the rough seas of thoughts and emotions you experience every day. Of course, you'll continue to use your thinking mind to solve problems and survive, but by gaining some objectivity from it and embracing the "you" behind it, Tolle says, you're taking the most important step toward enlightenment. When you can sit still and turn off your thinking mind, even for just a moment, you will experience a burst of appreciation for the present and everything around you, and you will feel complete..