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pulgasari
Korea
16 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 12 2013 : 06:41:12 AM
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| Is it correct to say; You are not your thoughts or are our thoughts part of us just like the waves are part of the ocean? |
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karl
United Kingdom
1812 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2013 : 07:00:18 AM
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Does it matter ?
Its a sticky slope. Everything that you experience is a thought. You have thoughts about thoughts. Are you then just a thought created by a thought ?.
That's the problem. Its like a snake eating its tail. The method of inquiry is thought and what is inquired into is thought.
Its best to develop a level of stillness through meditation and then there is no need to ponder that question. That stillness will work its way out into everyday life. |
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Christi
United Kingdom
4514 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2013 : 07:02:54 AM
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Hi Pulagsari,
In the beginning it is best to concentrate on yoga practices in order to develop concentration and inner silence. Once inner silence has been cultivated it is then possible to begin to question the relationship between yourself and your thoughts. Many teachers will say that you are not your thoughts, as you are aware of your thoughts. It is a technique, or method which is useful in the intermediate stage of spiritual practice in order to help cultivate the witness.
Beyond the witness, the mind expands and you will come to know yourself to be all of life. As you say, thoughts are just waves, but they are still a part of the ocean. By this point we know ourselves to be the ocean, and are not troubled by the waves on the surface.
Christi |
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Goodway
USA
99 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2013 : 07:04:31 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by pulgasari
Is it correct to say; You are not your thoughts or are our thoughts part of us just like the waves are part of the ocean?
You said the same thing twice.
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Bodhi Tree
2972 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2013 : 5:18:23 PM
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I like the second metaphor: waves on the ocean. The first statement can lead to a non-duality trap of denying the world (including the denial of thoughts, which help perceive and understand the world). I had a thought this morning to brush my teeth. If I outright believe that all thoughts are untrue (or "not me"), I might have some dental hygiene trouble. You dig?
Layers of manifestation brimming from the non-manifest...becoming One. Which is which, and who is who? Only answer to the question is a surrender to the mystery of becoming, becoming, becoming...always becoming. Be still and know.  |
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Wolfgang
Germany
470 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2013 : 11:49:24 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by pulgasari
Is it correct to say; You are not your thoughts or are our thoughts part of us just like the waves are part of the ocean?
My understanding of this is:
Yes, I am not my thoughts
and Yes my thoughts are part of me.
my 2cts (or may be its more than 2 cents worth |
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Is it correct to say "You are not your thoughts?"
