Freedom from Thought and Excessive Thinking

Summary

The transcript discusses the phenomenon of fog and sunshine along the coast, emphasizing the magical interplay of light. It transitions into an insightful exploration of attention and mindfulness, highlighting how external stimuli like phones and internal thoughts often pull our focus away. The speaker advocates for conscious control over where we direct our attention, likening it to a form of meditation. By choosing where to focus, we can practice and strengthen our ability to remain present and intentional, rather than being at the mercy of external and internal distractions.

Takeaways

• 🌞 The coexistence of sunshine and fog along the coast can create a magical scene as the fog dissolves and the sun filters through.
• 👀 Attention is a crucial aspect of our experience, and it's often influenced by external factors like noise or electronic devices.
• 📱 The constant demands of electronic devices, such as phones, can pull our attention away from the present moment, impacting our freedom of choice.
• 🤔 Thoughts can also demand our attention, pulling us into a conceptual reality that distracts us from the present.
• 🧠 Scientists have yet to fully understand what thoughts are, despite extensive study of brain chemistry and function.
• 🔄 The mind can be directed to focus on different things, such as physical sensations or objects, rather than being pulled by external or internal distractions.
• 💭 It's possible to choose not to give attention to every thought or distraction, thereby maintaining focus on the present moment.
• 🙌 Practicing meditation involves directing attention to a specific object or thought, and consciously choosing to redirect it when it wanders.
• 🌱 Meditation is a form of exercise for the mind, strengthening the ability to choose where attention is directed and not being a slave to every thought or distraction.
• 📚 The script emphasizes the importance of being aware of where our attention is focused and the power we have to choose where it goes.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the script?

The main theme of the script is mindfulness and the ability to control and direct one's attention, especially in the presence of distractions like electronic devices and internal thoughts.

How does the speaker describe the effect of electronic devices on attention?

The speaker describes electronic devices, like phones, as demanding our attention constantly, pulling us away from the present moment and creating an automatic response to check messages and notifications.

What comparison does the speaker make between electronic devices and other external distractions?

The speaker compares the distraction of electronic devices to a plate dropping in a restaurant, suggesting that both can instantly pull our attention away, but electronic devices do so more frequently.

Why does the speaker mention the ability to choose where to direct attention?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of choice in directing attention to demonstrate that people are not at the mercy of external and internal distractions and can consciously decide what to focus on.

What analogy does the speaker use to describe thoughts?

The speaker describes thoughts as energy formations, halfway between physical and non-physical, with a pulling power that demands attention and can lead people away from the present moment.

What role does the speaker attribute to meditation in managing attention?

The speaker suggests that meditation is a practice that helps individuals gain control over their attention, focusing it on a specific object, mantra, or sound, rather than getting lost in thought.

How does the speaker view the relationship between choice and attention?

The speaker views the ability to choose where to direct one's attention as fundamental to maintaining freedom and suggests that practicing this choice strengthens one's ability to focus.

What practice does the speaker recommend for managing attention?

The speaker recommends practicing mindfulness by consciously choosing where to direct attention, whether to an object, a thought, or a sound, and developing the ability to drop thoughts that are not useful.

Why does the speaker believe many people feel compelled to immediately respond to electronic notifications?

The speaker believes that the societal norm or etiquette demands immediate responses to notifications, which can diminish personal freedom over attention and reaction.

What does the speaker suggest happens when people are fully present and aware?

When people are fully present and aware, they have the ability to choose their reactions to external stimuli, such as ignoring distractions that do not concern them, thereby maintaining focus on the present moment.

Outlines

00:00

🌅 Attention in the Present Moment

The first paragraph discusses the beauty of nature's phenomena, such as fog and sunshine, and uses this as a metaphor for the concept of attention. It explores how external stimuli and technology, like text messages and emails, can involuntarily pull our attention away from the present moment. The speaker reflects on the idea that attention is influenced by various factors and ponders whether we have control over where our attention goes, highlighting the automatic reaction to distractions and the societal expectation to respond immediately to electronic communications.

05:01

🧠 The Power of Thought and Mindfulness

The second paragraph delves into the internal factors that claim our attention, particularly our thoughts. It describes how we often identify with every thought that arises, giving them power to pull us away from the present moment into a conceptual reality. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing that thoughts are energy formations and that we have the ability to choose whether to follow them or not. The paragraph suggests that mindfulness is about making conscious choices about where to direct our attention, rather than being at the mercy of our thoughts or external distractions.

10:02

📱 The Choice in Directing Attention

The third paragraph focuses on the practice of directing attention as a form of meditation and self-control. It contrasts the old days of landline telephones with the current ubiquity of mobile devices that demand our constant attention. The speaker encourages the audience to practice choosing where to place their attention, whether it be on a sensory perception, an object, or even a thought, and then letting go of it when necessary. This practice is likened to a muscle that can be strengthened, allowing us to avoid being swept away by every thought or distraction, and ultimately leading to a greater sense of freedom and presence.

Keywords

💡Sunshine

Sunshine is the natural light from the sun, often associated with warmth and brightness. In the video, it is used to describe the beautiful weather conditions along the coast. The script mentions 'beautiful sunshine' and how it coexists with fog, creating a magical scene as the fog dissolves and the sun's rays filter through.

💡Fog

Fog is a thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface. It is highlighted in the script as a natural phenomenon that can be both beautiful and obstructive to visibility. The speaker describes how fog rolls in slowly and interacts with sunshine, contributing to the magical atmosphere.

💡Attention

Attention in the video refers to the focus or concentration one gives to a particular object or thought. It is a central theme as the speaker discusses how external factors and internal thoughts can demand and divert one's attention. The script emphasizes the importance of being aware of where your attention is directed and the power of choosing to focus it.

💡Present Moment

The present moment is the current point in time, the only time that truly exists. The speaker emphasizes the significance of being in the present moment and how distractions can pull one away from it. The concept is integral to the video's message about mindfulness and the control over one's attention.

💡Electronic Devices

Electronic devices, such as smartphones, are mentioned in the script as external factors that demand attention. The speaker discusses how these devices, through notifications like text messages or emails, can interrupt and divert one's focus from the present moment or meaningful interactions.

💡Thoughts

Thoughts are the mental processes of thinking or the ideas that form in one's mind. The script explores how thoughts can demand attention and pull one into a conceptual reality, away from the present moment. The speaker suggests that recognizing and choosing not to follow every thought is a form of mindfulness practice.

💡Meditation

Meditation is a practice of focusing the mind and achieving a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. In the video, meditation is related to the practice of directing one's attention and making choices about where to focus it. The speaker uses meditation as an example of how one can train their mind to be more present and aware.

💡Choice

Choice in the context of the video refers to the ability to decide where to direct one's attention. The speaker emphasizes that despite external and internal distractions, individuals have the power to choose what captures their attention. This concept is crucial in understanding the control one can have over their mental state.

💡Conceptual Reality

Conceptual reality is a mental construct or a way of perceiving the world based on thoughts and ideas. The script mentions how thoughts can lead one into a conceptual reality, which often includes a sense of self, narratives, and images. This concept is contrasted with the present moment, highlighting the difference between being in the moment and being lost in thought.

💡Sensory Perception

Sensory perception is the process by which the senses gather information from the environment and send it to the brain for interpretation. The speaker discusses directing attention to different sensory perceptions, such as feeling the energy in one's hand or focusing on auditory perception, as a way to stay present and engaged with the current moment.

💡Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a state of being fully present and engaged with one's current experience, without judgment. The video script touches on mindfulness as a practice of awareness and choice in attention. It is exemplified by choosing not to be automatically pulled by external or internal distractions and instead, consciously directing one's focus.

Highlights

Observing the beauty of fog and sunshine along the coast and how attention is drawn to the present moment.

The automatic reaction of attention being pulled by external noises or electronic device notifications.

The cultural expectation to immediately respond to text messages and how it impacts attention.

The realization that people have lost freedom of choice due to constant demands on their attention from devices and thoughts.

The idea that thoughts have a pulling power and can draw attention away from the present moment.

The difficulty scientists face in understanding the nature of thoughts as energy formations.

The concept of being drawn into a conceptual reality by thoughts, separate from the present moment.

The choice individuals have to direct their attention rather than being at the mercy of external factors.

Practicing not giving immediate attention to text messages or emails as a way to regain control.

The ability to choose to direct attention to physical sensations, like the feeling in one's hand.

The practice of meditation as a way to gain control over where attention is directed.

Using a meditation object to focus attention and strengthen the 'muscle' of choice.

The importance of recognizing when attention wanders and consciously choosing to redirect it.

The potential to let go of thoughts and not follow them, allowing them to dissolve on their own.

The historical shift from landline phones to mobile devices and the impact on attention and interruptions.

The societal pressure to immediately respond to phone calls, even without knowing who is calling.

The introduction of caller ID as a way to regain some choice in directing attention to phone calls.

Transcripts

beautiful sunshine but the fog is

rolling in slowly that's beautiful too

and quite often along the coast here you

get fog and sunshine at the same time so

as the fog reaches the beach it begins

to dissolve and then see the Sun

filtering through the fog quite magical

so here we are

an interesting thing to observe while

you're here especially but the rest of

your life also is where your attention

is at any given time or more precisely

in the present moment which is all there

is where your attention is in the

present moment and whether your

attention is determined by all kinds of

factors or whether you have some

influence over where your attention goes

now you've all noticed and experienced

when you're walking in the street or

you're sitting somewhere and suddenly

there's some noise behind you or

somebody shouts something or you're in a

restaurant sitting in somewhere behind

you some of these drops drops a plate

and usually most people wouldn't go

immediately

it's an automatic thing and these days

of course you have other not just plates

breaking which happens relatively rarely

but you have your your phones demanding

your attention so you are having a

wonderful conversation with a friend and

then you suddenly hear you are just

talking about it really connecting and

suddenly your attention goes and it's a

text message or some other sound which

means it's an email

and that demands your attention and

people don't realize that they obey

immediately that little device it's like

a plate breaking except this happens all

the time and or people starting behind

you so you'll be it's all the attention

is being pulled out continuously when I

first got my iPhone two years ago then I

got my first text messages quite

miraculous and then often I didn't reply

until the next day or two days later and

then I was told this is not according to

text message educate

[Laughter]

takes message etiquette dictates that

you reply immediately so occasionally I

do that now but even now I don't always

reply immediately and I don't even look

at it immediately at first I did when I

got the iPhone it and I realized what it

was doing and then apart from all these

external things and of course the

electronic devices they increase the

demands that the external world makes

upon your attention before you had all

these electronic devices yes it's even

then the boiled would make demands

continuously on your attention but not

as frequent as with all these devices

they and and so people don't realize

they are kind of they lose their freedom

of choice and something even more

pervasive that was already there before

the electronic devices came is that

certain thoughts in your mind also

demanding your complete attention

the little thought comes in about

something that you can't do anything

about now but you have to think about it

now and the thought says give me your

attention and you so what I'm talking

about here is you begin to identify with

every thought that arises it it has a

pulling power it pulls you in and it's

an energy formation everything a thought

is an energy form everything is not

physical energy it's probably halfway

between

physical and non-physical and the

greatest scientists no matter what they

tell you their ego may not allow them to

admit it but if they're really honest

and that the ego is not huge they will

admit to you they don't they have

examined the brain for a long time but

they can't they don't know what a

thought is you've looked at brain

chemistry and examined it and examined

it but what is it thoughts they just

still don't know and so we don't need to

know on that level here you just

experience what a thought is and how it

pulls your tension in and you follow it

up if you follow it where it wants to

take you it it leads to another

Associated thought and another and

before you know it you are dragged along

by another mind stream out of the

present moment into some conceptual

reality because that's what thought is

so you're drawn away into some

conceptual reality which includes a

conceptual sense of self a meaning an

image of me a narrative of me and so

that is then the reality that you

inhabit most of the time and so whether

your tension is pulled by some external

thing or and different electronic

cartridge or your thoughts it goes to

all kinds of places in your head and

outside and thing and so it's English

you actually can choose to direct your

attention to something rather than being

at the mercy

of all kinds of factors that determine

where your attention is going to go so

you can choose when you hear the ping of

a text message or the bone of an email

you can choose to not give it your

attention but just remain still for

three seconds and then you have a choice

you can give it your attention or not

give it your attention at least now you

have a choice the same thing with when

some of this salting behind you and

obviously doesn't concern you why

automatically go if you're really

present when you can hear the noise and

you don't go there it's not necessary

it's just somebody dropped a plate or

whatever in a restaurants all the time

so you can choose to direct your

attention for example right now you can

choose to direct your attention of

course it's in at the moment it's in

visual perception and auditory

perception in addition you can choose to

direct your attention into your right

hand which does not diminish the ability

to listen and choose to listen and to

see what's going on here so you can have

your attention in your right hand and

feel the energy as I can feel it right

now can feel the energy in my right

hands or the aliveness which does not

diminish my ability to speak or to see

you

I can feel and I can feel the left hand

also so you can direct attention into

your feet you can direct attention to

some object in this room

any sensory perception you can choose to

think a particular sort and then let go

of the sort what am I going to have for

dinner

what are they going to serve for dinner

tonight

sort arises I'm feeling a little bit

peckish it wants one daughter and then

you can choose to let go of that thought

and not to follow it and return your

attention to visual and auditory

perception and so that's it's you have a

choice when you're this you realize that

you have a choice where you're - you

don't need to and to practice with the

electronic gadgets particularly because

they the commonly consensus is that you

don't have a choice you have to

immediately look and second reply or

whatever immediately it used to be just

telephones but the telephones had a line

attached to them so that they're in a

particular place they didn't follow you

around

[Music]

but even when they had telephones people

would interrupt any conversation just

because the phone was ringing and at

that time they didn't even have caller

identification so you had to do you had

to pick it up no matter who you had no

idea what was going to call but you had

it was ringing you had to pick up and

give your attention to that call then

the time came for slightly when there

was caller Ids at least you could look

and see who is called do I want to talk

to this person so the choice in

directing your attention and that is

really the beginning of meditation or

any meditation practice is to have some

influence over where your attention goes

and usually in meditation your attention

is directed to a meditation object for a

while and some people get stuck there

for 20 years or the rest of their lives

the attention may go to a mantra which

really is a certain thought or certain

sounds that you repeat in your head or

you speak out aloud and so your it it

becomes the focus for your attention and

you choose to direct your attention

there rather than useless thinking you

directed your attention becomes focused

or you can have an external object of

your attention the candle flame a flower

whatever it is and you keep your

attention there for a few minutes 10

minutes 15 minutes and when it wanders

away and you notice it's gone away you

choose to redirect your attention to

that the object of your meditation so

that's a it's a practice you it's like a

physical exercise you the muscle of

choice

is strengthened by realizing you you can

practice

you have a choice and then you reach

cover you do not have to follow every

thought where it wants to take you you

can drop your thought or you can

recognize your thought it's just another

of those old thoughts not interesting

and then it dissolves by itself

[Applause]

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