If it’s a delusion that we are shaping or controlling our thoughts, what then is the significance of consciously cultivating a particular noble mindset by rejecting other thought patterns? Are we just making choices only from existing material?
If this is right, then man is doing nothing at all except for giving or refusing his consent to Nature’s preoccupations with him. Choice seems to be the only thing possible for man. Is Is that correct?
Yes, this is one of the things that strikes as an obvious truth that thoughts, feelings, desires, none of them are generated by us. They arise in some cosmic field and we receive them either through our immediate environment (hence the importance of company and places we go) or, especially thoughts, from a vaster cosmic field. We become aware when they have entered and begun to climb or descend as the case may be. The ego-self appropriates them as one’s own, even gets tuned and attached to one type and level of thought or another and calls them one’s own, fights for their dominion (as in ideologies) or succumbs to their force (as when people get wrong suggestions and acts upon them.
We are indeed receivers and transmitters. But the receiving itself depends upon the state of consciousness and the level we are attuned to. That is why the Mother insists so much on the change of consciousness as being the main thing. If the consciousness changes then automatically certain thoughts, feelings, desires become impossible. This change is effected through ‘Yoga’. Until that is done, one has to learn to step back, observe the level and type of thoughts, accept or refuse them and if needed, stop their flow. This is not as easy as it seems. Cultivating right and noble thoughts is therefore the next best, a good preparatory step. It is like replacing certain rajo-tamasic (negative) with rajo-sattwic (positive) thoughts and feelings, tuning oneself to the higher thoughts by reading uplifting things and keeping such company, each has its place and role. But as anyone who has tried it knows that it is not enough. A better way lies in knowing what thoughts and feelings to consent and what to refuse. But ultimately the final solution lies only in a change of consciousness followed by the transformation of the nature and the instruments it has evolved.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
