The end of compulsive thinking

 By silence, eloquence is meant...it is the best language. There is a state when words cease, and silence prevails.

Sri Ramana Maharshi

 

They say we have 40 000 (plus) thoughts a day. I got up this morning and thoughts sprang into action. This means there is something off inside. On a good day I simply enjoy the quiet, perhaps appreciating the songs of the birds who start singing at 4 am already.

 

A thought is something endogenous. It’s a “thought-feeling-energy” that rises from the depth of the subconscious and presents itself to be appreciated or evaluated if we have the mindfulness to do so. It strikes me that we can broadly assess the “material” that is brought to our attention as general and me-centered and as useful or idle/destructive.

 

 

                                 Useful           Idle/Destructive

 

 

General                         1                2

 

Me-centered                3                4

 

 

Example:

 

Useful and general: solving concrete problems at work or home

 

Idle and general: watching a movie to “kill” time

 

Useful and Me-centered: solving internal conflicts

 

Destructive and Me-centered: greed, hate, etc.

 

My wife thinks about what would come after retirement these days. She is an economist like I used to be. She enjoys being in the news flow. It gives her something to do and is a bit scared of what comes to the surface if she sits idle on the couch. Work occupies us—when we are lucky having the right job and when we are good at it—and channels our drive in a productive direction. Similarly, having the right partner or a fulfilled family and community life can channel our life energy also in a purposeful direction. We are simply happy inside and find there is little to think about.

 

Spirituality 1.0 is to channel the “thought-feeling-energy” in a purposeful direction. Spirituality 2.0 is to watch all me-centered “thought-feeling-energy” dissolve. Thoughts pop up as instructions or in solving an issue in front of us, but otherwise there is simply not much to think about. The system has come to rest. When we are serene, loving and have a feeling of abundance inside, the quest has come to an end.