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Things to ponder on this week’s Think on This newsletter — where do thoughts come from?
I had never put much thought into it (no pun intended) until reading one of my favorite philosophers of the 20th century, J. Krishnamurti.
Jiddu Krishnamurti, or J. Krishnamurti, as he’s known, is a renowned philosopher and spiritual teacher, who delved into the nature of the mind. “Thought,” he said, “is never new.” He emphasized that we draw from memory, past experiences, knowledge, and conditioning.
As I thought about it (pun intended), it makes perfect sense. My thoughts don’t come from a magical place in my brain - they essentially come from memory: A juxtaposition of memories, knowledge, experiences, and conditioning.
My memories juxtaposed = thoughts.
Krishnamurti believed that our reliance on thought as a primary tool for understanding and navigating the world often leads to limitations and distortions in our perception of reality.
He pointed out that our thoughts are shaped by the accumulation of memories stored in our consciousness. These memories are influenced by our cultural, societal, and personal conditioning. Our past experiences, beliefs, and biases filter our perceptions and influence the way we interpret and respond to the present moment.
According to Krishnamurti, this reliance on memory-based thought creates a fragmented perception of reality. Our thoughts are constantly seeking patterns and making associations based on past knowledge and experiences, which can limit our ability to perceive things as they truly are. He argued that this attachment to memory prevents us from directly experiencing the present moment, free from the influence of past conditioning.
A good example might be the fact that I grew up catholic in a Southern Baptist town. Due to various conditioning and experiences (good and bad) from that environment, I may not be open to the realities of Buddhism, for example. I enter a situation with preconceived biases.
He encouraged us to explore the nature of thought and its relationship with memory through self-inquiry and observation. He encouraged a state of awareness that is free from judgment and analysis, where one can observe the movement of thought without getting caught up in its content.
“Observe your thoughts,” he would say. And, “observe the observer.”
For me, it’s like standing outside of myself observing the activities of my mind, and constantly asking, where are those thoughts coming from? Are they coming from memory or past conditioning of the environment I grew up in? Are they coming from something I read or a personal experience I had?
When I pause and observe my thoughts and assess, I get amazing insight as to just how many of my thoughts come from past conditioning of the environment I grew up in. My opinions aren’t really MY opinions. They’re someone else’s from my past.
It is said that all so-called “new ideas” are not really new. They come from existing ideas, patterns, and memories.
By observing thought in this way, Krishnamurti believed that we can develop a deeper understanding of the conditioning that shapes our thinking process and its impact on our perception of reality. He advocated for a state of choice-less awareness, where the mind is free from the domination of memory-based thought. In this state, one can experience direct perception of the present moment without the interference of past conditioning. Essentially, be free of conditioning and see reality as it is — without the filters (vales) of the past.
Krishnamurti suggested that in the absence of thought-dominated consciousness, there is an opportunity for insight, clarity, and a deeper connection with the underlying intelligence of life.
He emphasized that the liberation from the limitations of memory-based thought does not imply the negation of the intellect or the dismissal of knowledge. Rather, it calls for a keen awareness of the influence of memory and conditioning on our thinking process.
Krishnamurti believed that by understanding the nature of thought and its relationship with memory, we can approach life with a sense of freshness, openness, and creative intelligence.
In summary, Krishnamurti's perspective on thought and memory highlights the need for self-awareness and inquiry into the conditioning that shapes our thinking process. By transcending the limitations of memory-based thought, we have the potential to perceive reality with greater clarity and insight, fostering a deeper connection with the present moment and the inherent intelligence of life.
Krishnamurti gave countless talks all over the world up until, I think, the 1980s. People have documented and transferred his talks into books. Here are a few links to a couple of my favorites and go-tos:
Eddie, thank you for such interesting thoughts. It’s amazing how so much of our thought is based on memory, conditioning and experience. I believe freedom is when those things are not attached to thought. Very interesting!