Deep Thinking vs Not Thinking

Telly03

I'll admit that it was Buddist ideas, and my deep thinking nature, that allowed me to clean my "what I know and understand" slate clean, and re-examine who I am, and what I believe my role is within the universe. Now with a clean slate, my mind is working overtime, deep thinking and making connections that reinforce some of the new ideas I am learning... to the point that I sometimes miss my turn while driving. It really is a fascinating time for me, and I have never felt more alive, or more appreciative of my role in this thing we call life.

So I attended my first Sangha orientation, and have started zazen sessions at home, but I am confused as whether I should be encouraging the constant deep thinking, or strive to be more "experiencing the moment" and not paying attention to thoughts, like what I am striving for during zazen? Deep thinking and not thinking both seem beneficial, yet contradicting.

Jeffrey

Notice what is happening. If it is 'deep thinking' notice it for what it is. Say 'thinking'. Thats all it is. Its thinking, and it feels deep. Thinking and feeling.

In meditation we don't have to censure ourselves but we do return to the breath. By returning to the breath we get some stability and have an opportunity to notice.

That is waking. Just in those thoughts we can be lost. But the mind is empowered with the ability to catch itself. And come to. To notice. To notice that it is awareness. And the thoughts and itself are both there and to puzzle over that?

So puzzle over your experience whatever it is.

Ch-an_noob

Cease and contemplate

First curb the scattered mind
2nd have the right understanding
3rd think about them.

If we have the wrong ideas to start with, deep thinking will just make us more deluded. Not thinking just makes us more lazy and stupid.

aMatt

My two cents is perhaps you could cultivate more of a quality of focus to your present moment. When you're driving, drive. When you're contemplating, contemplate. As you bring more of your attention to what you're doing, your skillfulness at each branch will become improved.

Deep thinking, as you put, can be helpful in realizing what moves us in one direction or the other, but the practice is really about turning down the correct paths when they are in front of us.

With warmth,

Matt

cabossimn

meditation isnt about "NOT thinking" its about letting the thoughts come and go. ya know like say an "evil" thought comes into your head lets say..."i onder what its like to rape a baby" now you know youd never do that. but why did that thought come in to your head you wonder so you vactively try and get it out but lets say it doesnt go away like you want it to. well meditation helps clear the mind of stuff like this by just watching the thought. just letting it happen and letting it go on its own. my freind taiyaki said "a problem/thought/whatever, is like a baby and you are the mother you care for it with your awareness. you watch it let it grow and then go away on its own." same with meditation. you can think deeply about worldy things but the key to enlightenment is to just be aware of things and accept them. then train your mind to be loving and kind [meta meditation] and then when you die you are positive enough to achieve nirvana. or at least this is how it seems to me.

jll

When you meditate, you focus on 1 object.
After a good meditation, its a good time for contemplation.
The 2 do not mix, like oil n water.