Power Of Now and 'Observing' Thoughts

[DEEJ]

Ok... So I’ve been reading and meditating upon for 'The Power Of Now' since I received it last week and read it through twice (I think its awesome and has already changed my perspectives in many ways...)

Anyway, I have started to observe my thoughts without judgement as suggested, but I have a couple of issues with are creating uncertainty.

I can see the fact that when my brain is engaged in a thought pattern, if I just observe without judgement, the pattern diminishes. HOWEVER, what about those fleeting 1-liner thoughts that I would usually replace with a positive. I find myself going into 'Watch Mode' after the thought has passed to observe any proceeding thoughts and I also find myself witnessing AFTER the thought has passed for any proceeding thoughts of the same nature, but maybe this is just energizing it in a way because I have given the passing thought importance?

I am so used to 'Doing something' or replacing my thoughts, I am maybe in a way using the witnessing wrongly in the same way?! When a thought passes through and it is gone im guessing its best to leave it that way?! Also however I cant see how in terms of 'Maintaining' my thought processes how this thought would not return in the future if I don't 'Do' nothing about it or am I wrong. Is there still room for replacing a negative thought with a positive in this sort of practice....

Maybe I’m looking at this on totally the wrong level because PON is really concerned with going beyond thought... Still any insight would be muchos appreciated !

[jsam]

Hey DEEJ,
I'm glad to hear you are beginning to develop the "observer" mentality. See the teachings of J.Krishnamurti on this subject.

Observing thoughts is a form of meditation; the idea is to become totally passive to the content of the "monkey mind" while maintaining a clear awareness. It is usually very difficult to do in the beginning, but don't give up- it is one of the best ways to reach enlightened living. And you will learn a lot about your mind.

Namaste....John

[DEEJ]

Originally Posted by jsam

Hey DEEJ,
See the teachings of J.Krishnamurti
Observing thoughts is a form of meditation; the idea is to become totally passive to the content of the "monkey mind" while maintaining a clear awareness. It is usually very difficult to do in the beginning, but don't give up- it is one of the best ways to reach enlightened living. And you will learn a lot about your mind.

Namaste....John

Thanks ill check out J.Krishnamurti... Any particular books?

Im sticking at this... Any ideas about my queries?????

Also.... From what I gather this can be approached in the way of a sitting meditation aswell as an on going daily awareness.. Might give this a try too...

[wolfgang]

Originally Posted by DEEJ

Ok... So I’ve been reading and meditating upon for 'The Power Of Now' since I received it last week and read it through twice (I think its awesome and has already changed my perspectives in many ways...)

I re-read it recently and now am reading the new earth at a devouring rate.

Anyway, I have started to observe my thoughts without judgement as suggested, but I have a couple of issues with are creating uncertainty.

I can see the fact that when my brain is engaged in a thought pattern, if I just observe without judgement, the pattern diminishes. HOWEVER, what about those fleeting 1-liner thoughts that I would usually replace with a positive. I find myself going into 'Watch Mode' after the thought has passed to observe any proceeding thoughts and I also find myself witnessing AFTER the thought has passed for any proceeding thoughts of the same nature, but maybe this is just energizing it in a way because I have given the passing thought importance?

Most thoughts are probably habitual. The Watch mode makes your awareness start to define the line between habitual thoughts and the aware you. Energizing thoughts by seeing more thoughts about that is the nature of habitual thought wanting or being good at being trained. The question is, I just thought, what kind of training do we do? If your awareness is vigilant to the after thoughts, I would think that's sort of like an echo of the thought, thought chasing itself. Does that energize it? yes. Were you the one directing those after thoughts? no. Or is it just being energized by the way a habit machine (brain) works? yes and you are witnessing that.

I am so used to 'Doing something' or replacing my thoughts, I am maybe in a way using the witnessing wrongly in the same way?! When a thought passes through and it is gone im guessing its best to leave it that way?! Also however I cant see how in terms of 'Maintaining' my thought processes how this thought would not return in the future if I don't 'Do' nothing about it or am I wrong. Is there still room for replacing a negative thought with a positive in this sort of practice....

I don't think it is your aware now self that is 'doing something' You actually have been leaving thoughts that pass through you, letting them be gone, and leaving them that way. What digs them up again is the habitual mind again having a thought.

Awareness open up choices. We can pay attention and reinforce thoughts that resonate with our souls. That's because there are some over laps in the "good side" of duality and oneness. So watching thoughts and then just leaving thoughts neutralizes or makes not much use of duality. Watching thoughts using awareness to select the positive side of a duality - may help being in the now since being happy is similar to joy.

Maybe I’m looking at this on totally the wrong level because PON is really concerned with going beyond thought... Still any insight would be muchos appreciated !