Recognizing thoughts

[Guest guest]

Thought I'd share my 'thought' progress. I've made many posts in the

past about struggling with stilling the mind during meditation. In

the last one I also noted that I'm beginning to get better at doing

that. What I am finding interesting, though, is the recognition of

thoughts as they arise in every day life and not just during

meditation. For example, yesterday I was waiting in line (as all the

parents do) to pick up my children from school. I had allowed a gap

between myself and the car in front of me in the line so that I did

not block a road while waiting for the line to progress. The line was

now pretty long, and a truck drove up and pulled in front of me and

stopped. He had passed everyone already waiting in line behind me and

was now blocking the road. At first I just looked amazed. I couldn't

believe he did that. Then I noticed the thought "you jerk" pop in my

mind. But the weird thing was I didn't recognize myself as 'thinking

the thought' (I know that makes no sense). Rather I was watching

myself and saw the thought emerge from my mind. I then remember

thinking, in response to the thought, it wasn't necessary to call a

name. Perhaps he was in a hurry and didn't have time to wait in the

line. And while I'm thinking this stuff I'm musing at myself because

it's almost like I was standing back watching myself and correcting

behaviour that my mind was trying to do. Almost like I correct my

children on inappropriate behaviour. Does that make any sense at all

to anyone?

 

I'm assuming that the fact that I'm recognizing thoughts as they

emerge is a positive sign of the 'watcher/seer' concept. I'm feeling

more connected in that way with each meditation, so I'm pleased with

my progress in that area -- it's been a long battle!

 

Christa