10) Thought-Free
There is confusion over what the "thought-free" state is and how it manifests. IME, for well over 90% of the waking state, there is a deep peaceful stillness/awareness/presence with no discernible self-talk, whether "tasking" or not. There is no apparent effort of suppression, no practice being "done", no intense watcher; it is the "natural"/default state.
When it is necessary to use "self-talk" to plan, frame problems or decisions, read, etc. "thoughts" may be critical tools. Interestingly, problem solving and planning are unhindered, in fact enhanced, w/o the typical "bandwidth-gobbling" narrative as interference. These "planning thoughts" are, however, different from the "blah, blah" of self-reflective narrative as they have no "emotional content w/I, me, my".
Virtually all human languages have a "subject/doing/object" structure. IME, the brain is able to recognize, and discriminate between problem solving or planning "thoughts" and self-reflective, narrative, emotionally-invested "thoughts".
Thoughts are surprisingly dependent on the body's physical condition. Thoughts can arise when the body's blood sugar is low or when it is very tired, or first thing in the morning in what appears to be short-term memory consolidation. The brain basically asks "Do you want to keep this?" (The brain doesn't really say that, but you know what i mean.) As there is no one there to take the package, it gets taken away by the UPS truck. This early morning period is also when the often astonishing work of the "primary (sub)consciousness" in solving problems is delivered to "secondary consciousness"/conscious awareness for "handling".
There is also the matter of folk not being really engaged with awakening. As this can be an intense process, strong motivation is important to maintain persistence.
There is the pragmatic limitation that folk can't/won't put in the effort, or time, for practice; practice does take practice, that's why they call it practice.
Another challenge is that ultimately surrender becomes a key element. To be free of the "I", the "thought causer", the "fear monger", one needs to be free of most/all attachments. This is where most folk stop, or get stuck for a long time. It is particularly difficult in the "highly-deterministic/self-made" cultures, where "surrender" is generally avoided at all cost.
You will find, if you persist, that there is something, some relationship, possession, practice, pain, belief, or pleasure, that you will just not let go of. You don't need to spend years hunting for it/them; they are right there when you begin to let go.
Source: Why don't more meditators reach the "thought-free" state?
There is confusion over what the "thought-free" state is and how it manifests. IME, for well over 90% of the waking state, there is a deep peaceful stillness/awareness/presence with no discernible self-talk, whether "tasking" or not. There is no apparent effort of suppression, no practice being "done", no intense watcher; it is the "natural"/default state.
When it is necessary to use "self-talk" to plan, frame problems or decisions, read, etc. "thoughts" may be critical tools. Interestingly, problem solving and planning are unhindered, in fact enhanced, w/o the typical "bandwidth-gobbling" narrative as interference. These "planning thoughts" are, however, different from the "blah, blah" of self-reflective narrative as they have no "emotional content w/I, me, my".
Virtually all human languages have a "subject/doing/object" structure. IME, the brain is able to recognize, and discriminate between problem solving or planning "thoughts" and self-reflective, narrative, emotionally-invested "thoughts".
Thoughts are surprisingly dependent on the body's physical condition. Thoughts can arise when the body's blood sugar is low or when it is very tired, or first thing in the morning in what appears to be short-term memory consolidation. The brain basically asks "Do you want to keep this?" (The brain doesn't really say that, but you know what i mean.) As there is no one there to take the package, it gets taken away by the UPS truck. This early morning period is also when the often astonishing work of the "primary (sub)consciousness" in solving problems is delivered to "secondary consciousness"/conscious awareness for "handling".
There is also the matter of folk not being really engaged with awakening. As this can be an intense process, strong motivation is important to maintain persistence.
There is the pragmatic limitation that folk can't/won't put in the effort, or time, for practice; practice does take practice, that's why they call it practice.
Another challenge is that ultimately surrender becomes a key element. To be free of the "I", the "thought causer", the "fear monger", one needs to be free of most/all attachments. This is where most folk stop, or get stuck for a long time. It is particularly difficult in the "highly-deterministic/self-made" cultures, where "surrender" is generally avoided at all cost.
You will find, if you persist, that there is something, some relationship, possession, practice, pain, belief, or pleasure, that you will just not let go of. You don't need to spend years hunting for it/them; they are right there when you begin to let go.
Source: Why don't more meditators reach the "thought-free" state?