Where Do Our Thoughts Come From | What Are Thoughts

What is the source of thoughts? Can we control our thoughts?

"Out of nowhere the mind comes forth." – Buddhist Diamond Sutra

▶️ You can read the same audio in blog format: https://www.jasoncain.net/blogs/wdotcf-blog ▶️ To download the podcast follow the link: https://www.jasoncain.net/podcasts/wdotcf-podcast

Hello, Jason Cain here and welcome to the Ancient wisdom modern mind podcast and today I would like to talk about where do our thoughts come from? And maybe you will find some answers in this Podcast. So let’s start.

A thought is a representation of something. A representation is a likeness a thing that depicts another thing by having characteristics that correspond to that other thing. For example, a picture, image, imprint, or mold of an object is a representation of that object. Thought is an idea or opinion produced by thinking, or occurring suddenly in the mind.

They just pop into our heads, or emerge in the form of words leaving our mouths. Objectively, we can say that thoughts emerge from neural processes, and that neural processes come from everywhere. What I mean by this is that the forms and dynamics of thought are influenced by everything that has a causal connection with you, your society, and your species.

One alternative view is that the brain generates the mind. Neurons coalesce into thoughts. We know that a film is produced when a number of components pull together the cast, script, camera crew, soundtrack, director, and so on. Similarly, when the components of the brain combine and reach a certain level of complexity, they give rise to something new and distinct the mind.

The mind is a kind of map. The brain, and its functional product the mind, evolved as a map of the body’s relation to its external environment. Fundamentally, our thoughts are maps representing and corresponding to things that our brains have either perceived with our senses, felt with our emotions, or formed as an action plan. All of these are electrochemically mediated processes.

We are aware of a tiny fraction of the thinking that goes on in our minds, and we can control only a tiny part of our conscious thoughts. The vast majority of our thinking efforts go on subconsciously. We exert some power over our thoughts by directing our attention, like a spotlight, to focus on something specific by doing meditation and mindfulness.

So where do thoughts come from, they arise spontaneously because of emotions, and attach themselves to feelings, ideas, and words. Thoughts are the product of interaction within and with the world; thoughts are a product of living. And if you are still puzzled, please listen to the podcast until the end and hopefully it will give you a clearer perspective, and if you have any questions let me know in the comments ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlQllQKoURE