Where Do Our Thoughts Come From?

Summary

This dialogue delves into the nature of thoughts, exploring their origin and the concept of 'self'. It posits that thoughts arise, exist, and vanish within the self, which is inherently free of thoughts. The conversation extends to feelings and sensations, suggesting they too emerge from this 'no-thingness'. The discussion touches on the idea of free will, proposing that our sense of freedom is an echo of the absolute freedom from which all experiences arise. It also draws parallels between the experience of love and freedom, suggesting they are not individual possessions but reflections of a larger, infinite consciousness. The dialogue concludes with a reflection on morality, suggesting that true ethical behavior stems from the understanding of shared being.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The origin of thoughts is a profound question, and attempting to name it might hinder self-discovery.
• 🧠 All thoughts arise, exist, and disappear within the individual's consciousness, suggesting an intrinsic relationship with the self.
• 👤 The 'me' or 'I' is considered the space from which thoughts emerge, exist, and subside, indicating a fundamental aspect of identity.
• 🕊️ The self, as the source of thoughts, is described as being inherently free from thoughts, sensations, and perceptions.
• 🌀 The realization that thoughts come from an empty or 'no-thingness' can lead to a feeling of freedom, suggesting an existential understanding.
• 🔄 The concept of free will is questioned, as the freedom we experience might be an echo of a greater, absolute freedom.
• ❤️ The experience of love is likened to the space in a room, belonging to a larger whole rather than an individual, illustrating the shared nature of certain experiences.
• 🔄 The freedom we feel is real but not individual; it's the infinite consciousness expressing itself through finite minds.
• 🧘‍♂️ As a lay Buddhist, the realization that precepts are not rules but natural outcomes of understanding our shared being was enlightening.
• 🌟 True morality and ethics stem from the understanding of shared being, rendering external precepts unnecessary when one is in touch with this truth.

Q & A

What is the primary question discussed in the transcript?

The primary question discussed is 'where do our thoughts come from?'

Why is it unhelpful to give a name to the place where thoughts come from?

It is unhelpful because naming it might prevent one from discovering it for themselves.

According to the transcript, where do thoughts arise, exist, and disappear?

Thoughts arise, exist, and disappear within the 'self' or 'me'.

What is the nature of the 'self' or 'I' as described in the transcript?

The 'self' or 'I' is described as being inherently free of thought, sensations, and perceptions.

How does the feeling of freedom relate to the concept of 'no-thingness' discussed in the transcript?

The feeling of freedom arises from realizing that thoughts come from a state of 'no-thingness,' which is inherently free.

What is the relationship between individual freedom and the freedom discussed in the transcript?

Individual freedom is an echo of the true freedom from which all experience arises, and it is not the possession of a separate person.

How does the experience of love relate to the concept of freedom discussed in the transcript?

The experience of love is likened to the space in a room, not belonging to any individual but being a part of a larger whole, similar to how freedom is not individual but universal.

What is the role of the body and mind in relation to freedom according to the transcript?

The body and mind are channels for the infinite freedom of consciousness, guiding it towards actions that express truth, reality, love, and intelligence.

Why do the precepts in Buddhism not function as rules but as expressions of self, as mentioned in the transcript?

The precepts are not rules because true morality and ethical behavior stem from the understanding that we all share our being, leading to actions that inherently align with love and do not require external rules.

What does the transcript suggest about the nature of thoughts, sensations, and perceptions?

The transcript suggests that thoughts, sensations, and perceptions are not inherent to the individual but arise from and return to a state that is free of these experiences.

How does the longing for freedom mentioned in the transcript relate to our true nature?

The longing for freedom is a recognition of our true nature as absolute freedom itself, and it is why we resist constraints on our perceived freedom.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 The Origin of Thoughts and Freedom

The speaker begins by pondering the origin of thoughts, suggesting that labeling the source of thoughts might hinder self-discovery. They propose that thoughts arise, exist, and vanish within the individual, emphasizing the intrinsic nature of thoughts. The dialogue then shifts to explore the concept of 'me' or 'I' as the space from which thoughts emerge. The discussion highlights that this 'self' must be free of thoughts, sensations, and perceptions to allow them to arise. The speaker concludes by reflecting on the feeling of freedom that comes from recognizing the 'nothingness' from which all experiences, including thoughts, originate.

05:05

💖 The Nature of Love and Collective Freedom

In this segment, the conversation delves into the nature of love and freedom. The speaker uses the analogy of physical space to illustrate that love, like space, does not belong to an individual but is a universal experience. They argue that the feeling of freedom is not a personal possession but a reflection of infinite consciousness. The speaker also touches on the idea that while individuals experience freedom, it is not a personal attribute but a channeling of a greater, collective freedom. This freedom is expressed through choices and actions that align with truth, love, and intelligence. The speaker's personal experience as a lay Buddhist and the understanding of precepts as natural extensions of shared being further enrich the discussion.

10:09

🌟 From Precepts to Ethical Living

The final paragraph discusses the transition from following precepts and moral rules to living ethically based on a deeper understanding of shared existence. The speaker suggests that true morality arises from the recognition of our interconnectedness and does not require external guidelines. Once this understanding is internalized, it naturally influences thoughts, feelings, and actions, leading to ethical behavior. The conversation implies that when individuals are in touch with their shared being, they inherently act in ways that are loving and ethical, without the need for prescribed rules.

Keywords

💡Thoughts

Thoughts are the cognitive processes that involve mental activity and the generation of ideas and concepts. In the video, thoughts are central to the discussion as the speaker explores their origin, suggesting that they arise from an intrinsic, non-physical 'self'. The script mentions, 'Do your thoughts not arise in you?', emphasizing the personal and internal nature of thoughts.

💡Self

The 'self' refers to the individual's sense of identity or being. The video delves into the nature of the self as the source of thoughts, questioning whether it is a physical or metaphysical entity. The speaker suggests that the self is 'inherently free of thought', as thoughts arise, exist, and vanish within it, as illustrated by the line 'whatever I am must there before me the place we can call it a place from which thought arises'.

💡Freedom

Freedom in the video is discussed as an inherent quality of the self, not as a personal possession but as an echo of a greater, infinite consciousness. The speaker contrasts the idea of individual free will with the broader freedom that exists outside of personal identity, stating 'the freedom that each of us feels is real there is freedom we are not wrong to feel either I have freedom or I long for freedom'.

💡Consciousness

Consciousness is the state of being aware, awake, and aware of one's surroundings and thoughts. The video suggests that consciousness is infinite and that individual experiences of freedom are merely reflections of this infinite consciousness. The script mentions 'the freedom of infinite consciousness echoing in each of our finite minds', indicating that consciousness is the underlying reality from which all experiences, including freedom, emanate.

💡Perception

Perception is the way in which the brain interprets and organizes sensory information. The video uses the analogy of a room to explain that perceptions, like the space in a room, do not originate from the physical boundaries but are part of a larger, non-physical reality. The speaker says, 'the perception of this room appears in our self it arises in our self', highlighting that perceptions are part of the self's experience.

💡No-thingness

No-thingness refers to a state of non-existence or emptiness, yet in the video, it is posited as the source of all thoughts and experiences. The speaker describes it as 'from this nothingness from this from this no thing Ness exactly which is no thing', suggesting that this void is not a mere absence but a fertile ground for the emergence of consciousness and experience.

💡Love

Love, in the video, is presented as a universal experience that transcends individual boundaries, akin to the space in a room that belongs to a larger space. The speaker states, 'love is God's infinite love shining in each of our minds', indicating that love is not a personal emotion but a reflection of divine, infinite love that is accessible to all.

💡Ethics

Ethics are moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity. The video discusses ethics in the context of shared being and the intrinsic understanding that guides moral behavior. The speaker mentions 'all true morality or ethical behaviour comes from a single understanding', implying that ethics stem from a profound awareness of our interconnectedness.

💡Precepts

Precepts, in the context of the video, are rules or principles that guide moral conduct, particularly in religious or philosophical traditions. The speaker reflects on their experience as a lay Buddhist, noting that precepts are not external rules but rather actions that arise naturally from an understanding of shared being, as indicated by 'the precepts are not rules but they are feelings actions or whatever that come from yourself'.

💡Truth

Truth, in the video, is discussed as an ultimate reality or principle that individuals strive to express and align with. The speaker suggests that the body and mind's role is to channel the infinite freedom into actions that reflect truth, as stated 'it is the job of your body mind to channel that freedom in such a way that it expresses truth reality love intelligence'.

Highlights

The origin of thoughts is a profound question that leads to a deeper exploration of consciousness.

Naming the source of thoughts might hinder the personal discovery of where they truly arise.

All thoughts are confirmed to arise within the individual, suggesting an internal origin.

The concept of 'me' is introduced as the potential space from which thoughts emerge.

Thoughts are described as arising, existing, and vanishing within the self, without external transference.

The self is posited as being inherently free of thoughts, sensations, and perceptions.

The realization that the self is free from thoughts leads to a sense of personal freedom.

The distinction is made between individual free will and the inherent freedom of consciousness.

The freedom felt is an echo of the true freedom from which all experiences arise.

Constraints on freedom are naturally resisted because of our intrinsic knowledge of absolute freedom.

Love, like freedom, is not owned by an individual but is a universal experience.

The experience of love is compared to the space in a room, belonging to a larger entity than the individual.

The freedom each person feels is real but is not the possession of an individual body-mind.

The body-mind's role is to channel infinite freedom in ways that express truth, reality, love, and intelligence.

The precepts of Buddhism are re-examined as expressions of shared being rather than rules.

True morality and ethics stem from the understanding of shared being, leading to natural ethical behavior.

Transcripts

well yes that's my question  where do our thoughts come from

that's a very good question if I were to give  a name to the place where thought come thoughts  

come from he wouldn't help you in fact it  would if anything prevent you from finding  

out yourself but wherever thoughts come from  do your thoughts not arise in you yes okay so  

that's one thing we can say for sure all the  thoughts appear in me so do you ever have an  

experience of a thought existing outside  what we call me and being placed into me  

now okay so tell us about the me so whatever  me is whatever I am must there before me the  

place we can call it a place from which thought  or in which thought arises so we're honing down  

the possibilities now thought cannot arise out  of you well when a thought arises when it exists  

and when it disappears it always arises in me  it exists in me and it disappears into me have  

you ever seen a thought leave you and go into  something outside of you no no so we're we're  

narrowing the possibilities whatever I am  is that from which thought arises so the  

question is now what is me what am i that  is that is that from which a thought arises  

in which it exists during its existence and  into which admonishes when it comes to an end

right okay now just to follow on with that  whatever it is that our thoughts arise from  

that we call me or I must itself be inherently  or intrinsically free of thought because thought  

arises in it prior to the arising of a thought  whatever that is is free of the thought so the  

thought arises in exists in and vanishes into  that which is inherently free of thought yes  

that in fact goes for every feeling we have  every sensation we have and every perception  

we have the perception of this room appears in  our self it arises in our self and therefore  

the self if we can call it a self in which our  thoughts sensations and perceptions arise must  

itself be intrinsically free of or empty of  thoughts sensations and perceptions well in  

noticing these thoughts that they come up and the  perception just comes up made me feel very free  

it became very clear that there is no no free  will as we think the body mind has but it all  

comes up from this nothingness from this from  this no thing Ness exactly which is no thing  

which is actually not something that is but it  is not nothing yeah yes exactly yeah yes but but  

but but you're right there may be no individual  freedom nevertheless this no thyng nests from  

which or the experience Rises being free of the  qualities of all experience is itself absolutely  

and inherently free and that freedom echoes in  each of our minds as the feeling to feelings one  

I have free will and two I long for freedom the  longing for the knowledge I have free will is  

the recognition that the freedom we feel that is  at our disposal is an echo in each of our minds  

of the true freedom out of which all experience  arises and our longing for freedom comes from the  

knowledge that what we essentially are is absolute  freedom itself and that is why when we anyone ever  

puts any constraints on us we rebel the freedom  you're not talking about it's not the freedom I  

meant when when I said we don't have free will  like we're not in the driver's seat that's what  

I meant yes but the freedom I felt when seeing  these thoughts come from the no thingness that  

that very freedom you know it's it's it's not that  we don't have freedom its we have freedom but our  

freedom is not the possession of a separate person  right we take take the experience of love we all  

experience love yes none of us would say I never  experienced love or I don't have the experience of  

love now love is not an experience that belongs to  a particular person the experience of love just as

the space in this room it's an analogy the  physical space in this room doesn't belong to  

the four walls of this room it wasn't generated  by this building it is temporarily contained  

in this building but the space in this room is  actually belongs to a space that is much larger  

than this room so the same the experience of love  which we feel it is like the space in this room  

it doesn't belong to a person it is all love is  God's infinite love shining in each of our minds  

it's the same with freedom the freedom that each  of us feels is real there is freedom we are not  

wrong to feel either I have freedom or I long for  freedom but it it's just that the freedom that  

each of us possesses to the extent that we possess  it doesn't belong to an individual body mind it is  

the freedom of infinite consciousness echoing in  each of our finite minds I understand that now and  

that's why I felt so so much freedom's suddenly  because it's it's not there's nothing to do with  

my body mind yes that that's right but we can at  the same time use and our body minds can use the  

freedom that it is given it can as it were channel  that freedom in certain directions so when you're  

asked faced with a choice shall I do this or shall  I do that the freedom with which you choose this  

or that is not your own personal limited freedom  it is the freedom of consciousness and it is the  

job of your body mind to channel infinite freedom  in a direction that is either towards this or that  

in such a way that it expresses truth reality  love intelligence so although the freedom is  

not your individual freedom nevertheless it is  the job of your body to channel that freedom  

in such a way that it expresses and shares  and celebrates truth and love and beauty yes  

years ago I became lay Buddhists and I took the  precepts and well you know about the precepts and

after some years I discovered that the  precepts are not rules but they are

feelings actions or whatever that come  from yourself because you wouldn't want  

to do anything it absolutely absolutely its  inherent yes it is exactly as we were saying  

last night in the conversation about morals and  ethics yeah when we said that really all true  

morality or ethical behaviour comes from a single  understanding and that is we share our being and  

one had some Augustine when asked about this just  said love and do whatever you want here once you  

are in touch with the fact that we all share our  being and you use that single understanding to  

guide all your behaviour then you no longer need  precepts or morals the this single understanding  

guides everything you think and feel and therefore  your subsequent activities and relationships yes