Sources
of thought/mental fluctuations have 3 sources:
- Sense objects (the external world);
- Past impressions (past-focussed);
- Desires (future-focussed)
- (Imagination)
Source 1: Sense Objects
1: The
first of sources of thought is that of the sense objects: found in the the external world.
These consist of:
- visual input;
- audio;
- smell;
- taste;
- sense (touch)
Examples
of sense objects are: food,
sex, music, noise, people, smells, etc. These objects of the senses distract
our minds on a daily basis. Often when we try to meditate we are distracted by
noises, things or people. Not only that, but the higher sensations experienced
in some meditation can distract us as well. The difference is that these
sensations are considered to be 'spiritual'(-achievements) and are often not
seen for what they are: distractions. To those who's goal is the ultimate experience
and that strive for the highest truth and the infinite bliss, these sensations
and dimensions are distractions and should not be valued as being the
purpose of your meditation.
The
distraction created
by our tendency to depend on the external world of the senses can be eliminated
through the practice of Pratyahara, or: sense-withdrawal. You focus only on the
inside and ignore every distraction coming from the external world. This way we
can eliminate our first of the sources of thought. Preferably, when focussing
inside, you focus on pure, thoughtless awareness itself only, but if that's too
confusing or frustrating at this time, just focus on a specific thought or
image you hold in your mind. Just be alert that you don't allow the senses to
pull your attention outside of what you are focussing on inside (preferably: on
consciousness itself).
Eventually
you can focus on your inner source and be meditating while for example dancing in a
busy, noisy crowd; the external world then no longer makes any difference to
your mental state if you don't allow it to. You have gained some serious
control over the mind and the senses.
Source 2: Past Impressions
2: The
second distraction arises out of the impressions of past experiences: Our minds are conditioned to
think on a constant basis. The thoughts that we are having now in this moment
are reproductions and expressions coming from imprints of past experiences.
These imprints, or impressions, together form the structure of the mind.
So
everything we see now is clouded by our past-impressions. Our daily random thoughts are
clouding our vision to see reality and nature they way they are at this time,
in this moment. So past impressions are one of the sources of thought that
create random activity and disturbance in the mind. They filter everything
automatically hence we experience a distorted, illusion-filled version of
reality. Thoughts like these disturb us and our clarity greatly and they should
be observed and purified. They come from the second source of thoughts:
past-impressions. We should learn to stop living in the illusion of time and
let go of the past. Only then can we experience every moment purely as it is
and be amazed by the beauty of timelessness.
Source 3: Desires (future)
3:
Desires are future-focussed and form the third source of our thoughts. Desires are the cause for our
suffering. Thoughts have different sources but only desires cause suffering.
Whether the triggerring thought comes from external objects, past experiences
or future projections, it is because we desire to something else besides what
we already have/are that we suffer. So desires have two expressions: 1:
future-projections; 2: suffering.
Once we
dissolve our desire towards something else, or accept the things the way they are in any
given moment, this source of thought falls away, and so does the accompanied
sufferring. Hence: we are liberated and free from desire. It is only because we
cannot fully accept what is coming to us, that we suffer. Even when a past
impression is triggered by some event, and causes us pain, it is not the past
impression, but the desire to escape it that causes our suffering.
If you
eliminate these three sources, your mind will have no reason to produce random
thoughts. You will only think when you consciously think. So by eliminating the
illusion of time (past and future) and practicing pratyahara or meditation to
eliminate the distraction
and the grip that the external world has on your inner state, we free ourselves
from the burdon of the mind. Instead of being possessed, we regain control (Mind-Control)
over our minds and become the master.
As a
fourth of the sources of thought we could state that Imagination is another source
for thought, but if we eliminate the above mentioned three sources of thought,
we have no reason to randomly imaginate any longer.
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