Random thoughts come and go through our heads at their own pace and intensity, sometimes without prompting, sometimes triggered by an experience (internal or otherwise). I have read many theories as to their source. But, I am more interested in the effect they have on me. These thoughts sometimes concern things which are alarming, and promise actions that I would regret. When I try to trace their origins they often dissipate like a spring breeze or a sudden chill. They seem to have only momentary substance, and can only continue if I feed them. So, what is their meaning? Of what use are they? Some of them are dark, and I feel traces of guilt at having them. But, did I really?
Do I cause them to spring up, or would they occur without my help? If I sit and think of nothing they still occur. Does that mean there is a deeper, not consciously accesible, level of thinking occuring that produces these? And, if I cannot access it, am I to blame?
No matter what track I take to follow these thoughts to their origin, I can not find a concrete source. And, if there is no source, if they are random results of spontaneous admixtures of environment and half hinted memories, then there can be no guilt. They are as much a part of my experience as a midnight dog bark, a sudden chill, a broken road side sign. They have as much import as I give to them and no more.
Just as I walk along a dim forest path, enjoying the flowers and creatures, and finding displeasure in the occasional pile of animal feces or discarded beer can, I walk through my day with random thoughts as part of the backdrop. I am not them. I am the totality of them, and the trees, flowers, and beer cans; and my reactions to them.
CAN’T SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES – Looking at the value of the internal environment
Free Association.
Random thoughts come and go through our heads at their own pace and intensity, sometimes without prompting, sometimes triggered by an experience (internal or otherwise). I have read many theories as to their source. But, I am more interested in the effect they have on me. These thoughts sometimes concern things which are alarming, and promise actions that I would regret. When I try to trace their origins they often dissipate like a spring breeze or a sudden chill. They seem to have only momentary substance, and can only continue if I feed them. So, what is their meaning? Of what use are they? Some of them are dark, and I feel traces of guilt at having them. But, did I really?
Do I cause them to spring up, or would they occur without my help? If I sit and think of nothing they still occur. Does that mean there is a deeper, not consciously accesible, level of thinking occuring that produces these? And, if I cannot access it, am I to blame?
No matter what track I take to follow these thoughts to their origin, I can not find a concrete source. And, if there is no source, if they are random results of spontaneous admixtures of environment and half hinted memories, then there can be no guilt. They are as much a part of my experience as a midnight dog bark, a sudden chill, a broken road side sign. They have as much import as I give to them and no more.
Just as I walk along a dim forest path, enjoying the flowers and creatures, and finding displeasure in the occasional pile of animal feces or discarded beer can, I walk through my day with random thoughts as part of the backdrop. I am not them. I am the totality of them, and the trees, flowers, and beer cans; and my reactions to them.