Several close friends, all meditators, have told me that they still struggle with random uncomfortable and/or disturbing thoughts that they feel ashamed of. Meditation is often sold as a spell that eradicates negative thoughts. This is a sham. (thread) 1/11
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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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