What Is the Definition of a "Thought"?
© 2003
>> My question is more along the lines of: "What is defined as the thought?". During observation of the 'mind-chatter', that which is observed is sensed much more like a wisp of feeling below my observation or *within* the observation. It becomes what I would categorize as a thought when it is consciously or unconsciously focused upon, drawn into the observational 'sphere' and gravitates an enhanced magnetic attraction to the focus of the self observing. <<
To understand the definition of a 'thought', one must first understand the definition of an 'idea'. An 'idea' is a finite quantity of infinite essential meaning as *perceived* by a mental body. A 'thought' on the other hand, is what a mind does with the *perceived* 'idea'. An 'idea', even though it is a finite thing, holds within itself the potential for a countless number of 'thoughts' as the mind processes it. This 'thought' processing by the mind, is a matter of *personalizing* an otherwise impersonal 'idea'. The personalization is accomplished by "clothing", if you will, the 'idea' in countless reactions and evaluations. Thus the mind *recognizes* a swarm of different perspectives upon the original 'idea' that it *perceived*.
The mind's chatter is primarily composed of *emotional* responses to the thoughts the mind generates to clothe an 'idea'. This is a very dense and busy aspect of the mind which taps very directly into the subconscious.
When one detaches from participation in the mind's chatter, that busy-ness fades to reveal the underlying 'thoughts' and the *thinking process* itself. It is within this context that one-pointedness occurs. And within the EOM, one directly *perceives* the 'ideas' that underlie 'thought'.
My best to you,
:) Rawn Clark
06 Nov 2003