Why do we think how we think?

Day 845 - Day 335 Q - Feb.8.21 - why do we think how we think?

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Why do we think the thoughts that we do? It can be because of a specific trigger or stimulation in our environment. If someone starts talking about bananas, it’s likely you’ll start thinking about bananas. It can be because of specific memories. If the mention of bananas makes you think of monkeys, you may think of the time you saw monkeys in person at the zoo while you were with your family. It can be random. Someone starts talking about black holes and you may think of how you used to dig holes as a child working on a farm. Most of us don’t question why we think what we think. We just assume that our thoughts are real. But they’re not. They’re just neurons in your brain that create a piece of information in your head. Most people don’t do the work to understand why they think what they think. For example, if I’m a cocaine addict, every thought I have is likely related to cocaine. I don’t have enough insight as to why it’s cocaine, but it just is. Without self control, I’m likely to act on my thoughts and do everything I can to acquire that cocaine. But I probably don’t stop and ask why. Most people don’t. Why do you think the way you do? Almost all of it comes from your previous experiences, memories and sensations you felt in specific moments. We assume that everyone can understand the way we think but that’s flawed because no one has had the same experience as you. You’re the only one who can understand your own thoughts and if you don’t do the work to understand them, how are you supposed to have control over your mind? If you can’t control you mind, how are you supposed to control anything else?