Doesn't it suck that you can't even decide what you want to think? I mean, it's kind of cool to have spontenious thought surface out of your subconscious... when you're inspired and safe. But when that inner voice always points out the morbidity of everything, and the futility of everything, and then nothing feels sacred anymore because it's all entangled and juxtopposed to the absurdness of reality, then it's not such a welcome companion. It's like, hello, come on, it's my mind! Let me at least be able to decide what I think, myself! Jeez.
The results of nanny state governments, who want to turn all of us into sheep and never thinking for ourselves at all.
"...do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness." Feelings aren't facts. When I can allow mental formations to arise without attachment and observe them dispassionately, I see that many are untrue; in fact, many aren't even mine. They were inserted in my brain by authoritarian parents, sadistic gym teachers, hostile bosses, raging ex-wives, fear-mongering news reporters, and hate-filled demogogues. Allowing people who didn't love me free rent in my head only allows them to victimize me all over again; but only if I accept them uncritically. When I see them as ephemeral and untrue, they're not as emotionally compelling to me, and I can allow them to arise without resistance, transit my consciousness without attachment, and fade away, like snow falling on a warm sidewalk. With practice, such thoughts loose their power, and don't arise as frequently as before. Try to get out, and spend some time in sunlight among the trees...and leave all that shit at the trailhead. You really don't have to pick it up again upon your return.
What he said. You actually can control your thoughts to a large extent. There will always be times when things will pop up but it is your choice to let them stay or to let them go. I had no idea that I could change the way my mind works until a few years ago, its not easy, especially at first, you really have to be persistent with it but it is so worth it. Meditation helped me a lot, so did learning from various sources about the way the mind works and different ways of letting go of things, changing my "programming", and not internalizing what other people do or say. Know that just because it has always been that way doesn't mean it always has to be that way. If you ever want to talk more about it, feel free to contact me
Very well said Piobare! I think the same, and have pushed many a negative train of thought out of my head. They usually arise in the midst of the night when I can not sleep. I force myself to think about happier things, often by trying to conceptualize the color of green. Not easy, but it can be done. Green is very calming and peaceful.
Hey, thanks for that, and everyone else for y'all's responses. I touch that wine bottle and then the keyboard is my canvas, and all of the sudden doom can be kind of whimsical, and in that state I'm able to express it. I think you really said it well, Piobaire. I mean, sure, I can control MY thoughts, if I really use my intention. But controlling thoughts that are not my own, well that is an entirely other matter. But I appreciate everyone's perspectives on the agency one has in choosing how to respond to that. Of course, that is the key, and meditation is one of the best tools for that. Better than wine, for sure!
