How Metacognition Is Modern Day 'Sorcery'
Metacognition - "awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes."
Metacognition Is Modern Day Sorcery
Modern-day sorcerers possess an ability called metacognition. It is an innate superpower—one we all have access to. Yet, despite its power, metacognition remains underused and largely unrecognised by the general population. Most people are unaware of what it is, and even fewer consciously apply it to their lives.
This, however, is not something to be concerned about. In this article, I will explain exactly what metacognition is, show how it can help you, and outline practices that allow you to access it wherever and whenever. This is not woo-woo pseudoscience, nor is it generic “positive thinking” advice. Metacognition is a well-established cognitive process, shared by individuals who seem to turn the impossible into reality. It is, in many ways, the perfect tool for manifestation.
Metacognition
Metacognition — “awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes.”
Metacognition is the act of thinking about your thinking. It is the observation of your own mind without identification. In other words, you witness thoughts as objects arising within your awareness.
Thoughts are abstract. They are not as tangible as physical sensations; they resemble impressions—fleeting yet observable. Whether they appear as images, gut feelings, words, sounds, or memories, they are all forms of thought. A thought is simply an idea, opinion, or mental act produced through thinking or reflection.
The issue is that much of the time, our thoughts are infused with negative emotion. A thought arises, and we suffer—not because of the thought itself, but because we identify with it. It feels real. It feels true. Metacognition disrupts this illusion. It not only reduces unnecessary suffering but also enhances decision-making and overall effectiveness.
Eileen Gu, a Chinese-American freestyle skier, exemplifies a modern-day “sorcerer” who leverages metacognition to achieve excellence. High performers often engage in this process intuitively—they think about their thinking, even if they lack the terminology for it. You can be metacognitive without knowing the word.
“I break down all of my thought processes. I apply an analytical lens to my thinking, and I modify it… It’s like tinkering as a scientist. I’m always asking: how can I be better? How can I approach my mind the way I approach my craft?” — Eileen Gu
We often assume that better outcomes come solely from training harder. The more I train, the better I become, and therefore I’ll feel happier. But athletes don’t just train their bodies—they train their minds first.
Apply this to confidence. “The more I socialise, the more confident I’ll be.” But consider the reverse: isn’t your lack of confidence the very reason you avoid socialising? Instead of waiting for external proof, you can shift your internal relationship to the idea itself.
You can choose confidence. It may sound delusional—but that is precisely the point. A certain degree of “delusional” belief is required: the willingness to believe in your capability despite the absence of evidence. The world reflects who you are being, not who you are waiting to become. The mirror will not smile before you do.
“I must do X to achieve Y so I can feel Z” is the common formula. Metacognition flips this:
“I must feel X, to do Y, to achieve Z.”
By rearranging the internal structure—your thoughts and interpretations—you influence your emotional state, which then shapes your actions and outcomes. Acting while feeling misaligned often leads to poor results.
You can change how you respond to situations. Imagine you’re about to give a presentation. Your instinct may be to anticipate everything that could go wrong. Metacognition allows you to recognise these as merely thoughts—not truths.
You can then reframe: “I get to present something I worked hard on.” “I’m fortunate to have this opportunity.”
On a personal level, I applied metacognition during a third-year project presentation. Leading up to it, I felt intense anxiety—racing heart, scattered thoughts. But in that moment, I recognised something.
For the past year, I had been developing a deeper awareness through metaphysical exploration. This was the test.
As I waited for my turn, I observed the anxiety. I noticed the thoughts. I recognised thought as thought, feeling as feeling. They were present—but they were not me.
The anxiety didn’t disappear. The thoughts didn’t stop. But they no longer controlled the experience.
That is the power of metacognition—not elimination, but separation.
“The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts.” — Marcus Aurelius
The Stoic Approach
The Stoic philosopher Seneca captured this insight succinctly:
“We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.”
Our minds generate more distress than reality itself. Often, we don’t dislike the task—we dislike what we associate with it. Work becomes “boring.” School becomes “obligatory.” These are not inherent qualities, but interpretations—thoughts charged with emotion.
The mind seeks complexity, deeper explanations, more layers. Yet often, the friction comes from overthinking itself.
Things simply are.
Recognising this early changes everything.
Metacognition cultivates a stoic, composed mindset. Thoughts are transient. They pass. Letting them dictate your life is optional.
Practice: Meditation, Mindfulness, and Observation
So, how do you actually practise metacognition?
If you’re still reading, you likely have the capacity to grasp and apply this. You may have even tried explaining these ideas to others, only to find they don’t quite land the same way.
The good news: you don’t need to be an elite performer to use this. Anyone can access it.
Here’s how:
1. Go Within
How can you understand your internal world if your attention is always external?
Modern life is saturated with distraction—social media, entertainment, work, relationships. These are not inherently bad, but they constantly pull attention outward, leaving no space for internal awareness.
“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” — Blaise Pascal
Close your eyes. Don’t try to meditate. Don’t try to stop thinking. Don’t try to create thoughts.
Simply observe.
You’ll notice something: even in silence, the mind is active. That realisation—seeing thoughts arise—is the beginning.
The first step to transformation is awareness.
2. Mindfulness
The external shapes the internal.
Being mindful means being aware of where your attention goes. Your attention is a finite resource. Spend it on inputs that strengthen your mind, not drain it.
3. Observation
Observation is metacognition in motion.
Unlike stillness (going within) or selective attention (mindfulness), observation happens in real time—while life unfolds.
You witness events, reactions, thoughts, and emotions as they arise. There may be chaos externally, but internally, there is clarity.
You are no longer entangled—you are aware.
Recursive Metacognition: A Double-Edged Sword
Metacognition is a sword.
It can cut through suffering and sharpen decision-making—but it is double-edged. The same awareness that liberates you can also trap you in loops of over-analysis if misused.
Awareness must be balanced with action.
Otherwise, you risk becoming a spectator of your own life rather than a participant.