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<@BoatS The origin of thoughts comes from imagination which is seen as a faculty belonging to the irrational part of the soul (psyche) which is under the influence of the senses, or from the images of sensory things. The intellect or nous is the rational part of the soul also referred to as spirit which is simple, one-pointed, and of pure-awareness.
However, we are inclined or conditioned toward sin, and our consciousness is broken up and easily influenced by our imagination, which is often inclined toward sinful thoughts. Remember sin here is not understood as being juridical as found in the Christian West, but self cherishing that distances one from what we call in the Christian East illumination or in Buddhism enlightenment.
Self cherishing thoughts have a tendency to agitate and constrict the mind where virtuous thoughts provide openness and space, because they are rooted in what we call in the Christian East self-emptying.
Thoughts will always arise, but we can alter the kinds of thoughts we experience by living a virtuous life and filling it with spiritual things instead of the mundane, and this applies to Buddhist and Christian alike. There is no way around as it is the ground for enlightenment or illumination, and this should be one of the important parts of our practice.
Prayer or mediation cannot be pure if the mind is actively engaged in following thoughts. For prayer or meditation to be pure, it must arise from a pure spirit, and this can only occur when one first stands watch and thus rises above thoughts and images. That is why Christ said, “Watch and pray.” Not only of sinful thoughts, but also all thoughts which distract us from prayer.
How about letting the thoughts be? After all they are not yours. If they don't go away, try to ignore them since fussing over them gives them more power.
@pegembara You are right. We are not our thoughts, and when thoughts come, we should not attempt to get involved or argue with them, because that binds us to them. The mind that debates with a thought will be faced with its steady development, and, bemused by the exchange, will be distracted. Struggle against thoughts is vain and futile. It is enough simply to observe the thoughts as they arise, and then let them go without reacting to them or following them.
Comments
The origin of thoughts comes from imagination which is seen as a faculty belonging to the irrational part of the soul (psyche) which is under the influence of the senses, or from the images of sensory things. The intellect or nous is the rational part of the soul also referred to as spirit which is simple, one-pointed, and of pure-awareness.
However, we are inclined or conditioned toward sin, and our consciousness is broken up and easily influenced by our imagination, which is often inclined toward sinful thoughts. Remember sin here is not understood as being juridical as found in the Christian West, but self cherishing that distances one from what we call in the Christian East illumination or in Buddhism enlightenment.
Self cherishing thoughts have a tendency to agitate and constrict the mind where virtuous thoughts provide openness and space, because they are rooted in what we call in the Christian East self-emptying.
Thoughts will always arise, but we can alter the kinds of thoughts we experience by living a virtuous life and filling it with spiritual things instead of the mundane, and this applies to Buddhist and Christian alike. There is no way around as it is the ground for enlightenment or illumination, and this should be one of the important parts of our practice.
Prayer or mediation cannot be pure if the mind is actively engaged in following thoughts. For prayer or meditation to be pure, it must arise from a pure spirit, and this can only occur when one first stands watch and thus rises above thoughts and images. That is why Christ said, “Watch and pray.” Not only of sinful thoughts, but also all thoughts which distract us from prayer.
You are right. We are not our thoughts, and when thoughts come, we should not attempt to get involved or argue with them, because that binds us to them. The mind that debates with a thought will be faced with its steady development, and, bemused by the exchange, will be distracted. Struggle against thoughts is vain and futile. It is enough simply to observe the thoughts as they arise, and then let them go without reacting to them or following them.
If you take out the last two words, that might be the other issue.