The relentless stream of thoughts continues day and night. Sometimes I wonder if I should pay attention to each separate notion, but then I would get nothing done! To distinguish between useful and useless doesn't take a seasoned thinker, for many thoughts are mere distractions. Distractions that are entertaining in some instances, however in general, they are time-consuming and not helpful at all, and we simply ignore them.
The question is when wanderings of the mind become wonderings. What makes the mind go off in different directions? When do the thoughts become inspiration and full of awe, rather than filled with criticism and doubt? Free association can be helpful, and the same thinking pattern gives the same outcome.
Control of the mind, stilling the mind, are spiritual practices in a diversity of religious faiths. The goal to quieten the mind has benefits for personal well-being and spiritual growth. The ability to focus and remain still requires practice; lifelong practice.
Wanderings become wonderings when we are inspired, filled with awe, and gain new insights. New possibilities for a conundrum or problem we are trying to solve—the light-bulb moment when we acquire new understanding or wisdom.
The moment of awareness turns into conversion and revelation. And in the case of Buddha, the enlightenment, under the Bodhi Tree.
The questions is, what we do with the wondering, the
revelation into new understandings. Do we question our sanity, our experience,
do we push it aside as 'silly' thoughts? OR do we wait, and get used to the new
insight that may make us uncomfortable?
Maybe we become the laughing-stock of our friends and family for
entertaining a different perspective.
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