Re: consciousness

< Of course you can choose at least some of your thoughts. You can choose
to creat an image in your head, or you can decide to humm a leody
silently to yourself. You can choose to calculate the square root of a
ten digit number to while away the time.

The trouble is that not all your thoughts are chosen. This is both good
and bad. Inspiration - poets artists and sceintists commonly report this
- seems to happen without our bidding in surprising moments (such as
dreams or whilst contemplating the breakfast cereal). Also worries and
emotions and images connected with trauma can instrude and stay despite
our best efforts to dispell them. Indeed sometimes trying not to think
of something makes it even more present. >

Yes, that is right I am sure - though why it is 'trouble' escapes me. What
I was arguing about though is the idea that one can not decide one's
thoughts - I think one can when one wants to. I have another experience
which is relevant as well and which I will mention in case it helps anyone.
If you are worried about things and your mind is running along bad lines, go
out and dig the garden for a couple of hours. After a few minutes you will
forget and become immersed in what you are doing - some fairly hard physical
activity is very good for your mind.


.

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