There is this notion among many Buddhists (and meditators in general) that while all phenomena that arise in the mind are to be met with equanimity, there is one class of phenomena that must be avoided at all costs (and/or ultimately eradicated): thoughts. 2/11
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Not all traditions emphasize this, though. As I understand it based on readings and conversations with long-term Dzogchen practitioners, in Dzogchen thought is a phenomenon just like any other: it arises in mind and is to be seen clearly for what it is, not to be reviled. 3/11
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Humans are evolved creatures with a brain that thinks. Our capacity for personal and collective imagination is what sets us apart from other animals, and allows us to do things that they can't. Fully accepting the human experience *as it is* is the basis of practice. 4/11
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If one is under the impression that thoughts are the devil, and that the goal of practice is to get to a place where thoughts -- or at least those perceived as "bad" -- stop arising, then it becomes impossible to accept this human experience for what it actually is. 5/11
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You may actually begin experiencing less unpleasant thoughts with deeper practice. Or you may not. Maybe they will even get worse. In any case, the practice remains exactly the same: having a clear understanding of, and equanimity toward, all experiences as they arise. 6/11
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If you take a step back and see yourself as a mere witness to the utterly mysterious and infinitely complex workings of an evolved brain interacting with its environment, then even unpleasant or shameful thoughts are not your problem anymore. 7/11
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A disturbing thought arises. It bothers you that you would ever have such a thought. "Ugh, why would I think that? What's wrong with me?" When this happens, pause. Check whether you're a thinking agent or a witness. 8/11
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Was the thinking of this particular thought an action that you took? Or did you actually just witness the arising of a thought that, for whatever reason, the neuronal arrangement in your brain and its interaction with the environment produced? 9/11
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When you train yourself to witness thoughts instead of thinking them, thoughts become no more offensive than a vulgar strip of graffiti on a wall as you pass it by on the street, or an insult heard yelled aloud from a distance. 10/11
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Would seeing vulgar graffiti or hearing an aimless insult ever cause discomfort? Maybe. Would it ruin your day? Probably not. Would it make you ashamed that they arose in consciousness? Of course not. They are just appearances being seen. Why must thoughts be different? 11/11
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Also many people think thoughts are random. However, thoughts themselves fall into causality and conditions. We can examine the basis of our thoughts and purify the mind. This is a radical responsibility for not just our actions but our thinking. And thoughts do have an impact
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I don't think I claimed that thoughts are independent of causes and conditions. I said they are impersonal arising, and mustn't be identified with. I agree that examining the basis of thoughts can be useful. I don't think this is incompatible with being equanimous with them.
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fair enough, I think i was worrying that people would interpret your words to mean we have zero responsibility for our own thinking.
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If you define responsibility as "control", then no, we don't have responsibility for our thoughts. We can't even begin to grasp the web of causality that brings about a single thought. Of course, thoughts are often quite useful, and we should definitely take advantage of that.
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Doesn't Buddhism or meditation offer up solutions to work with the negative thoughts that arise?
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Yes. The problem is when people are under the impression that they will one day get enlightened and never again experience any negative thoughts or feelings.
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Isn't it more cultivating the skill to hold equanimity as these emotions arise rather than the eradication of them?
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That's right. Unfortunately it's hard to sell yourself as a guru with that...
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I thought one was not meant to claim having special powers or to mislead students.
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If you're training to realize jhana or deep samadhi then it does make sense to practice to the point of not actively thinking (which is different from no-thoughts). But that doesn't mean a person should never think at all. It's just a good mental state to explore deeper insight.
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I didn't say people should never think; I said the opposite. If you are trying to practice Vipassana, then you follow the techniques of Vipassana. If you are trying to address suffering in this moment, then you allow your experience to happen as it is, thoughts or no thoughts.
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