Episode 260
Addicted to Thinking
In our meditation, or in our daily lives, when we exercise presence we might quickly become aware that our mind produces thought after thought, a never ending train of thoughts. They seem to demand our attention, and we might get wrapped up in them, so the cycle continues.
When we look closely, we might find we have assumed something like “Everything must be resolved now,” as if every thought presents part of our life that is like a puzzle. If we do solve it, another puzzle will appear.
Not everything needs to be solved now. The world continues whether we think it through or not, though this thinking part of our minds tries so hard to justify itself.
We have the choice to say to that part of ourselves: “Yes, you are valued, but for now this process is not necessary.” What will happen if we allow our minds to be at rest, right now?
Hosts & Guests
Kurt Robinson
Transcript
Let’s talk about being addicted to thinking.
So I noticed sitting down for morning meditation my thoughts started to get away from me trying to think about all these situations, past situations.
This time when a taxi driver managed to get more money out of me than maybe he deserved and this kind of thing. Following these trains of thoughts, I start to notice this assumption that I have to solve everything now. Everything must be solved and I’m going to keep thinking until all of the pieces fit together.
It’s not true. This is the trick that our mind plays on us.
It’s like trying to justify it’s own existence, sort of like a bureaucrat trying to explain why it needs to exist. The justification for its existance is it’s own nature which is kind of funny.
In any moment we can become aware of that assumption and what he’s trying to do.
We might even affirm to ourselves or to that thinking rational linear part of our brain that yes it’s ok, you are needed, you are valued.
But not right now. There are situations where we will need that mechanical style of thinking to work through a problem. Not all the time. Not even most of the time.
What would happen if we were free from that train of thought? What would happen if our minds relax into silence just to find whatever was there ready to be noticed?
You can relax into that at any moment and be free of addiction to thinking.
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