As a child we begin to guide ourselves with the use of language. We express our intentions loudly and then start acting. As we become older we typically no longer use our voice but talk silently within ourselves. This voice we eventually recognize as our thinking. And we start using it to go through all kinds of scenarios, often without actually doing something. We do not necessarily think in complete sentences, but often shortened, with just a few words. Still, we are often using language. And language ist not our own personal invention. We learned it. It was developed outside of us, and we have made it our own.
Thinking can also take other forms. Often we think with the help of language and formulate tasks, questions and solutions. But we can also think in the form of imaginations and pictures. For example, in our thoughts we can virtually do something, like folding a letter, and then follow this up with the action of folding it. We do not need to think “I will now fold this letter twice so that it fits in this envelope.” before getting it done. The forms of thinking can also be mixed, for example we can think the words “letter” and “envelope” and complement this with a picture of the result we want. It is not uncommon that our linguistic thoughts are complemented in the background by very specific visual thoughts, or memories of other sensory impressions, that we sometime previously experienced and now remember while thinking.
Occasionally, we are also encouraged to think loudly, so we express ourselves or solve a problem together in a group. This way, a common intention can be formed, a solution that everyone is agrees to implement. What we want is often connected to what we thought before. Additionally, what we feel does also play into this. A feeling is often followed up by some thoughts that intend to bring the feeling into context. We usually want to know the reason for a feeling, and then want to enjoy it or get rid of it, depending on sympathy. The other way around, a thought can also result in feelings. And that can have an impact on what we want. Then we are often encouraged to do what feels right. To follow our heart.
But do the thoughts and feelings really belong to us? C.G. Jung supposedly once said, that humans do not have ideas – ideas have humans. With thinking, we potentially have access to the world of ideas. However, when we observe our thoughts, we will notice that most ideas are not our own. We adopted them from our parents, teachers, friends, politicians, journalists, books and other sources. Other voices are talking through us. When we observe even closer, we could come to the conclusion that the thoughts control us like a puppeteer with a marionette. That should spark the intention to find the origin of each and every thought. For all my thoughts I can ask why they popped up. If some thoughts repeat themselves, even though I wanted to leave them behind, then I can wonder why it is so difficult to silence a thought.
At this point we might come across the concept of the “Default Mode Network” by Marcus E. Raichle. According to this concept our thinking falls into a default mode when we are not actively taking control of it. There are standard processes filling all the gaps, and instead of resting, our mind spontaneously flows along associations, self-centered thoughts and related memories. Thinking is always active, and it draws from the experience we made in life. We can find rules that become visible in typical thought processes. This activity of the mind does not require any conscious decision to get started. Even if we decide to try and prevent it, there will be a lot of training needed to silence our mind. As a result, we often use distraction if we want to avoid unpleasant or untimely thoughts. Then our mind is busy processing new sensory input.
During our daily routines we usually do not question our thoughts. We have our duties, have expectations to meet, and “too much” thinking only keeps us away from work, may even result in doubt and throw us off the track. We use our mind as a tool, to play our role and to be functional, to deliver on our own expectations. If we live this way, we easily get into the service of others and forget about what makes us unique. We just follow whatever steps in front of us and demands attention. But our mind can also help us to get a better understanding of ourselves and the world. To discover something new. To engage in philosophy. To act on our own initiative. We can even make our thoughts the object of our observation. If we look closer we will become aware that it is possible to trace back a thought. Thoughts do not keep any secrets from us, when we turn towards them. With the power of thinking we can achieve a lot – especially with a better understanding of it nature. And when we continuously practice to master it. The thoughts we normally produce and notice are just the tip of the iceberg.