Verbalized Memories ...

I was searching all these days for an accurate definition of 'thought' - I believe I got it today! Verbalized memories is thought. The Vipassana medidation process requires a constant observation of the breath even as you permit thoughts to enter and naturally wane-off. It takes considerable time to still your mind if one permits thoughts endlessly to enter at their will and wane-off on their own. Most memories are a result of silent conversations or dialogues that engage oneself.

Invariably, such moments of introspection either prompt the self to resist status quo and - do something in the present about an uncertain future - since remaining the same goes against the grain of traditional living. Or, such conversations are a result of the process of understanding pain or suffering. It is only when the magnitude of pain or suffering is so intolerable, that one chooses to act and do something to lessen the discomfort. The first type of introspection leads to a constant churning of the brain for ideas concerning an unknown 'state of perfectness'. Thoughts in this category manifest as expressions with an - 'I want this ... I want that ... I want that also ...' and so on. Verbalizing such thoughts spur an individual to act - many times conditioned by the probability of success/failure of the 'fruit of action'. The only way I have found, to control the randomness in such thoughts, is not to give expression through a language to memories or fantasies. Behave as if you know - no language, and see how the thought dies off! Beware, that this state of mind might also lead you to sleep.

The second type of thought wherein the self is spurred into action based on - pain or suffering - is of greater importance. It is not easy to still this type of thought - though with practice I find that the easy way out is to start by locating the point of pain! Just as much as, if suppose your leg hurts while you sit squatted, you can locate and focus your attention to the exact point where it hurts and the same goes with observing the feeling of pain anywhere else on the corporal plane. But, try identifying or locating the point of pain on the mind or spirit plane! It is very difficult. With practice, even this might become easier to still.

This process of stilling your thought, at least for 1/2 an hour a day - I have found, leads to a state of alertness to receive and a state of composure that is much desired in dealing with life's circumstances that throw themselves at you.