Where Do Thoughts Come From?
Do Our Thoughts Control Us?
Thoughts. What a strange phenomenon.
Have you ever thought about thoughts? Where do they come from? Why are we so influenced by them? What makes some thoughts produce good feelings while others do the complete opposite? What about intrusive thoughts or inappropriate thoughts or thoughts that come out of nowhere? Are we really what we think about? Can we control our thoughts or do our thoughts control us?
You get the picture.
When I think about thoughts, I sometimes visualize them as musical notes that drift through the window, land on my head, and are absorbed against my will. They can be uplifting, terrifying, or comforting. They can produce nostalgia or thrust you into a future scenario that may never happen.
Are they a portal into another dimension?
I’ve wondered from time to time. Are they coming from another me in a parallel universe? My doppelgänger? How many me(s) exist?
I don’t know the answer to any of the above questions, but the mysteries of the thought life perplex me.
However, I do think it’s possible that these mysterious and relentless thoughts, whether conscious or not, influence our belief in magic, gods, demons, an alter ego, creative impulses, and stories, as well as contribute to our fears, comfort, and mental state.
We think.
We think to solve problems as well as navigate our reality. We also think about things that aren’t useful at all, mere fantasies or nightmares. We’re controlled by our old thoughts and intimidated by new thoughts. Sometimes our thoughts don’t align with our world view and that makes us feel guilty even though we don’t act on these thoughts.
It’s a muddle.
No wonder people are confused most of the time. No wonder we end up latching on to a culturally defined world view that becomes a fixed anchor in our attempt to survive. We’re thoughtful creatures but much of the time, we don’t know what to think. We’re even warned not to overthink. As though thinking may be a threat to our happiness.
But not to think would mean we’re dead, I think. Right?
Teresa is a retired educator, author, world traveler, and professional myth buster. You can find her books on Amazon.
