Are We, What We Think?

[sparklekaz]

The Buddha said "We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” Yet, how many of us can say that our minds are pure. Or that we have control over what we think? Probably not many! Do you believe that it is possible to change well established thought patterns or - to choose positive and uplifting ones over negative? In this context, how would you define 'pure'?

[aceofcups]

Namaste Karen... great question.

I think it is very possible but it takes time and spiritual work on oneself.  Meditation and Mindful Awareness are wonderful tools towards moving towards those goals if one is inclined to do so.  I don't think I'd personally use the word "Pure" as much as learning to be free of hindrances with can hold us back emotionally and mentally.

In the Buddhist tradition, the five hindrances are identified as mental factors that hinder progress in meditation and in our daily lives. These factors are identified specifically as obstacles to stages of concentration leading to equanimity and peacefulness and a quiet centered tranquil mind.

The five hindrances are:

1- Sensory desire: the particular type of wanting that seeks for happiness through the five senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and physical feeling.

2 - Ill-will: all kinds of thought related to wanting to reject, feelings of hostility, resentment, hatred and bitterness.

3- Sloth-torpor: heaviness of body and dullness of mind which drags one down into disabling inertia and thick depression.

4 - Restlessness-worry, anxiety: the inability to calm the mind.

5 - Doubt: lack of conviction or trust in our connection to the Highest within.


peace
aceofcups

[cyberangel]

Hi karen

I also agree with Ace I do not see ones mind as pure and I also dont believe one can control what thoughts pop into one's head...but what I Do believe is that we can control how we consciously react to our thoughts.

For example....something angered me yesterday...and even though I felt happy with how I reacted...I still was unable to free my thoughts from it. It was only after I shared what had happened...that I could see the thought pattern and my reaction...and why I felt teapped by my thoughts.

I shared it briefly here and as soon as I read my thoughts and actions back...I suddenly realised why I was unable to forget about it. So with that I 'decided' to delete what I wrote...as, if I were to leave it...it would serve no purpose other than to be a forever reminder. But in saying that I felt it was only by sharing (briefly) that I was able to purge/free (my thoughts) and in doing so...it was only then that I could see and take control of the thoughts and I chose to delete them from here and I immediately felt free. If that makes sense.

Ego loves to play with our thoughts...and can make dark shadows 'if' we entertain it...I chose to ignore my ego in the end...and pushed it out of the way, and as soon as I did I immediately felt lighter and happier but more importantly I felt free...from from my ego and free from my thoughts.

Love and Light

[mojomojo]

Hi Kaz,
Agree with both the above.
For me, as we progress along our paths, we are given spiritual gifts, for want of a better word,

Even though we can achieve quiet mind in meditation, to have it full time, I feel is a gift, but would not consider this pure,
This for me, must come from the heart, and again, I think of it as a gift received when earned.
I agree what we think is very important, but the emotions the thoughts cause us to hold, more so.
On my daily walk, I pass a lake, there are many wildfowl there, very peaceful, floating and swimming around,
Occasionally two will get into a fight, then go separate ways, flap there wings vigorously to release the energy, and carry on as if nothing has happened,
We would hold the thought and emotion, for a day, week, maybe even a life time.

Here's an old zen tale,
Imagine its a beautiful day, you are on a boat in a lake, you lie back in the boat, so relaxed, your hands dangle in the water, a gentle breeze blows, you are so relaxed, on the verge of dreaming.
BANG, another boat has rammed into you.
What are your thoughts and emotions.


What if no one was in the other boat.

[aceofcups]

Funny synchronicity... I just came across a quote in a book I had on my desk...

“Meditation is good, one can attain a pure mind by one-pointedness and detachment. Meditate upon one point and you will know God.” – Maharaji (Teacher of Ram Das)

The student was traveling with his teacher and asked him how do I control my mind and thoughts during meditation?   He asked "The mind will travel -- It won’t stand on one point; but many ideas come in. What do I do?”

 The teacher responded - “the mind will travel here, there, and all directions, you should always try to pull it to one point. You should center it with continuous practice, then automatically it will go to the one point on which you want to meditate. Ultimately, after years, the mind becomes quiet.”

Using a Mantra is one way people learn to make their mind one-pointed.

In Buddhism,, it is called learning the last limb on the Eight-Fold path  -- "Right Concentration".

[chris86]

I think kaz i right, how many of us actualy think our minds are pure, lets say doubt makes our mind not pure, then questions will chip away doubt untill the mind is pure,
Or is a pure mind empty, open, broad, then the mind is free to think or wonder without being attached, and easily let go, to have empty mind once again,
do the so called power of words keep the mind from being pure, and if words dont make the minds thoughts be a distraction, would visions then be preventing us fromhaving a pure mind, mind must experiance pure to know what pure mind is,
I know pure is to be something that is free from anything else, this anything else could be something other than what you claim to be pure, or is everything pure alone, either it be a tree, or a sky, even a mind, accepting what the mind is without thinking about anything,
I would think letting go simply is being free or pure,
Glass half full?, or half empty? or is the glass fully empty?