The issue is not what you’re doing with your body; it’s what you’re doing with your mind.

This quote emphasizes the importance of mental activity over physical actions. It suggests that the real value or impact of our actions is determined not by the physical act itself, but by the mental processes that accompany it. It’s the thoughts, intentions, and awareness behind our actions that truly matter.

To illustrate, consider the act of reading a book. Physically, it’s just the act of scanning words on a page. But the real value of reading comes from the mental activity it involves – understanding the words, interpreting their meaning, and connecting the ideas to your own experiences and knowledge. Two people could read the same book, but if one is fully engaged mentally while the other is just skimming the words without really thinking about them, their experiences and the benefits they gain from the activity will be vastly different.

In the realm of personal development, this idea suggests that it’s not enough to just go through the motions of self-improvement activities. For example, you could do yoga every day, but if your mind is elsewhere during the practice, you won’t reap the full benefits of the activity. Or, you could read a lot of self-help books, but if you don’t take the time to reflect on the ideas and apply them to your own life, the reading won’t lead to real growth.

In today’s world, where multitasking and digital distractions are the norm, this quote is a reminder to be mindful and present in whatever we’re doing. It’s a call to focus not just on doing things, but on doing them with intention and awareness. It’s about the quality of our mental engagement in our activities, not just the quantity of activities we do. It’s about being mentally active and engaged, rather than just physically busy.