How do I recognize when my thoughts are distorted versus actually true?

This is where practice becomes real. Patanjali taught that the mind learns to see itself only through steady, patient observation—not judgment. A distorted thought often feels urgent and absolute, like it's the final truth. But if you pause and ask "What evidence contradicts this?" or "Am I catastrophizing?" you create space between the thought and your belief in it. Start small. Notice when you're thinking in absolutes: "always," "never," "I'm terrible at this." These are often distortions. A more accurate thought might be "I struggled with this today, and that's information, not a verdict." The key is that distorted thoughts collapse complexity into one story. Truth can hold nuance. One practical move: write down a thought that's bothering you, then write three alternative explanations. Not to convince yourself you're wrong, but to remind yourself that your mind's first answer isn't necessarily its only answer. This is the foundation of psychological mastery—not believing everything you think, but understanding how your mind works. Keep practicing this. It rewires how you see.