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The Thought Stream
By Evin O'Ryan
As a loose analogy, the thought-stream is the words and images that flow
constantly through our heads. It is our ego. If we are anxious, then the
stream swells into a turbulent river. Meditate or relax, and it trickles
along like a peaceful creek.
As a river, it can sweep along heavy objects: tree trunks, telephone poles,
even houses. These represent intense fears, painful memories, and suffering
of all kind. In this state, the water is murky. We see situations less
clearly and, usually, more pessimistically.
A tiny creek, however, supports only the lightest objects. The water is
clear, and we see the world more as it is. We are more optimistic and,
flowing peacefully, we are more receptive. Like this, our spirit, God, and
spiritual guides easily direct and inspire us. Few techniques work as well as
meditation in keeping the flow rate down.
Like water, the thought-stream envelops all that enters it. Even when higher
sources inspire us, once we hear that information as words in our head, it
then becomes part of the stream and is no longer holy. Although these higher
truths "deteriorate" into elements of the ego, being in contact with
that
higher source renews us. This happens because these higher truths are more
than drops in the river; they are spiritual energy.
Separate Streams
The thought-stream is what separates us from one another, because each is
unique and gives a sense of individuality ("I"). This divisiveness
expresses
itself in all fields. Take religion and science for instance.
In the past, most believed that religion held the answers to the universe. It
was a major influence on most thought-streams. More recently, science has
tried to explain everything within a materialistic context, ignoring or even
denying the existence of spiritual realities. These two methods of inquiry
were often mutually exclusive and when they clashed, real-life problems
arose. These clashes, though, rarely changed one's belief; in fact, they
reinforced them.
Two Currents
From another angle, light reflects on the surface of the stream. Here, the
surface represents our conscious mind. That which lies below represents our
subconscious mind and includes the emotional body. Sharks of aggression,
jellyfish of fear, and other stressful emotions lurk there. When
circumstances trigger these emotions, the surface becomes agitated.
How does this work? Say that two people are in a room and they notice a snake
in the corner. One pulls back in terror while the other, intrigued,
approaches the creature. Now the outer stimulus was the same, yet each
interpreted it in a radically different way. In each case, the conscious mind
relayed the image of the reptile to the emotional body. It responded as life
had conditioned it -- one with interest, one with fear.
Avoid Drowning
How can we use this information to lessen suffering? Usually, we resist pain,
but that seldom helps. The first step is to notice that we are suffering;
otherwise, the root remains hidden. Then we try to understand the problem so
we can work on it.
Some religions recommend that we surrender our lives to God or to our spirit.
Others suggest that we allow ourselves to feel the full impact of the fear
and endure it: do not resist. Let the emotion burn out. Like this, we can
more easily accept our mental and emotional states -- our karma, fate, or
condition of the river -- and we can analyze the situation more objectively.
The river begins to calm, because we are acting rather than reacting. We may
still feel tense or miserable, but not as much. In addition, we are moving in
the right direction.
From here, many techniques are available. Some recommend going within and
discovering the traumatic childhood experience (or even past-life experience)
responsible for our current fears. Others suggest doing an "astral
scan":
while in alpha state, inspect the astral body for implants or astral
creatures. If you find something, then remove it, sending it to the light.
Conclusion
Two themes have emerged. First, that the thought-stream is an indicator, if
not a source, of emotional and mental calm or distress. Second, that the
"flow rate" is an indicator of how we are progressing spiritually.
When the
flow rate is calm, we cause less "erosion" to our physical, mental,
and
emotional bodies.
We go with the flow, but we benefit by knowing the nature and content of the
stream. With practice and understanding, maybe we can walk on water.
By Evin
O'Ryan
Evin O'Ryan is a minister of the
Starbuilders, an outreach project of the
Universal Life Church. He has been active in the New Age Movement since the
70's, when he lived at Findhorn and then stayed with a Sufi group in London.
He then studied under the direction of a Great Master of the Rosicrucian's for
15 years.
His main focus now includes unity and the raising of consciousness. These two
activities, he believes, can bring peace and harmony into an individual's
life and, as a result, make the world a better place.
More at: www.starbuilders.org or
click here to email Evin.
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