To menoj_menon about Thoughts Theory

[Guest guest]

Dear menoj_menon,

 

I believe what you have crafted by your own experience and observation is

very worthwhile and very much related to the topic of Amma and spirituality. I

believe your distinction between "automatic thoughts" and "self-directed"

thought is very significance, and I have actually come across this distinction

in other contexts, one the field of psychology, the other, the field of

shamanism.

 

In Cognitive (slash Behavioral) Psychology (e.g., Dr. Phil), the important

thing is to become aware of what you are saying to yourself when you are not

"thinking" In other words, what are your automatic thoughts? These are usually

the ones that get us into the most trouble; they are often self negating or

negating of others; they often run around in circles like a gerbil on a

wheel. Interestingly, the same distinction also exists within the context of

shamanism, especially as taught by Don Juan. Don Juan was always telling Carlos

Casteneda to be aware of his "inner dialog." Without conscious awareness of this

"inner dialog," which as I said, is often at worst, self-negating, and, at

best, cycling nonsense ... as I have cycled 'round and 'round on the thought

"my mother took my money."

 

Does the thought change anything? Does it communicate anything to my mother?

Does it help me in any way? No, No and No. The more I think it, the worse I

feel. When one becomes aware of the inner dialog, then one can begin to think

consciously, with direction, and thus thoughts become like horses who love

us and will do whatever we ask of them. They will help us complete a task. They

will help us begin a task. They will give us the motive energy to go in a

new and unfamiliar direction.

 

I am also glad that you included ideas and intuition in your map of the

inner workings of the mind. As I was reading what you wrote, my thoughts were

saying, "but, but, but ... but what about those times when I am creating

something." What I have discovered is that my most creative time occurs when

there

is nothing else going on. There is nothing I have to give my attention to;

there is nothing I have to do. (Actually, there may be plenty I have to do, but

if I can put myself in this open-ended mode ... all kinds of creative things

pour out of me.) At some point, this becomes related to what you refer to as

directed thinking. I am doing nothing. I am wandering around. I am noticing or

feeling and suddenly, the words to a song or a poem appear in my head. I

grab for the nearest pen and paper and start writing it down. This is not

automatic thinking but it may be akin to automatic writing, because I really

feel I

am just a channel.

 

Lots of good food for thought. Thank you ~ Linda P.S. I don't agree that

100% of our time should be spent in self-directed thinking because it is in the

thoughtless open space kind of "time," which I actually experience as no

time, that most of my creativity flows from. But, to get that creativity to the

next level ... to get the painting hung in a gallery; to get that song on the

top 40, that takes directed thinking, and I have been better at the former

than the latter. Now I am working on the directed part.

 

 

menoj_menon wrote:

 

>> Before defining Thought, let's examine 2 types of thought.

>> 1. Automatic Thought.

>> These are the biggest killers of time and energy. These are thoughts

>> that flip through our thinking apparatus during times when we have no

>> sense of purpose. Times can be as short as seconds, or minutes, or

>> even years.

 

>> ...Properties of such thought:

>> a. There is no "sense of purpose"

>> b. It is a waste of time and energy.

>> c. Is a result of an unsure "state of being"

>> d. Is wishing for a "later" instead of being in the "now"

 

>> ...2. Self-directed (or Conscious) Thought.

>> This is when we are consciously involved in thinking...THIS IS A VERY

>> HEALTHY USE OF TIME, and ideally all 100% of our time should be

>> spent in such Self-directed thinking.

 

>>...Properties of such thought:

>> a. Purposeful.

>> b. Serves atleast oneself, or others, or both.

>> c. are a result of a sure "state of being"

>> d. is in the "now"

>> e. Healthy distribution channel for our energy.

 

>> ...An idea comes from the intuitive and spiritual domain of ourselves. It

>> is a unique abstraction of the environment.

>> Somewhat tough to explain, and can only be understood by a question.

>> for e.g. WHAT REALLY IS A MANGO? and WHAT REALLY IS SWEET? Everybody

>> has a different unique understanding of mango and its sweetness, and

>> what sweetness really is.