Thought-streams

Our thought processes evolve over the course of our lives.  By the time we are adults, the way we think (our thought-stream) is deeply ingrained, like a river that has run the same course over thousands of years.  Eventually that river cuts deep ridges into the earth, and its course is seemingly unchangeable.  Like the river, our thoughts cut a path in our minds that is difficult to change.  At times that path may seem like the Grand Canyon!  But if we become mindful of the way our thoughts appear--which thoughts are habitual and negative and which thoughts are fleeting and positive--we can begin to divert that deeply ingrained thought-stream onto another course.  Like a rivulet that miraculously breaks away from the powerful river, our thought-stream can create a new path.  The more we concentrate on our new way of thinking, the more ingrained that new path becomes.  Over time, our new thought-streams evolve into powerful rivers of positive thinking. 

Comments

[C]

So, yes. I agree. However, creating those new paths, by accepting and trying to negate our thinking is really difficult, almost at times, we need some natural interruptions. Right?

I think that you've written about it beautifully, and just touched on the visible sites we can see, but getting down deep into those "deeply ingrained thoughts" almost seems impossible; how would you suggest one does that? For It's not easy to hike nor jump into the Grand Canyon. Even though, it sounds adventurous. I'd like to jump from a plane! Perhaps that can be too much. Daring! ha.ha.

I hear the beauty and poetry of transformation in what you've written, and it appears evident that you have definitely done some of your own work. So, what steps or advice would you give? Looking forward to reading more on your blog.

How do we think differently from that whats "ingrained",especially, if we arent sure of the differences regarding those thoughts?

[Cat Carrel]

Ah yes! Breaking those deeply ingrained thought streams is difficult, sometimes seemingly impossible. But it can be done! For me personally, my journey has involved a lot of meditation, visualization, and practice, practice, practice. It certainly doesn't happen overnight and we all have our times when we wonder, wow, when will it happen, for good, for real?

In reality, only supremely enlightened humans have the ability to completely control their thought streams all of the time. As people who are working on our processes, we can't be expected to be perfect all of the time. The key is to withhold judgment and to be compassionate with ourselves through the process.

When we do find ourselves having those largely positive thought streams, we can rejoice in knowing that we are seeing the fruits of our practice, and the thought stream, when fed, will be come a larger part of our being.

In regard to differentiating which thought streams to cultivate, we can look to our feelings and emotions. It is impossible to have positive thoughts and feel bad! Similarly, negative thoughts will always react poorly with our emotions, block energy, and hold us back. So, when we feel good, we know we are on the right track!

Good luck on your journey, C, and feel free to contact me!