There are three different states of being in the mind. The first is mind noise. This is a daydream state of uncontrolled, unaware thinking. Its most defining feature is that it is not under the command of the will. When someone is not actively using their mind to compare two things, recollect something distinct, or brainstorm for the purpose of creating an entity, mental activity becomes passive. When thinking is passive and not under the command of the will, it occurs without direction. Thinking becomes uncorrelated and deceiving. The thoughts themselves tend to stem from an exaggerated past, or an imaginary future, since the thoughts are not rooted in the present moment.
When considering the mind, it is important to remember that it is still rooted in our physical body and governed by its conditions, hormones, impulses, and drives. Our body and mind are connected. Our thinking is affected by the main three innate bodily drives: sex, hunger, and aggression. Without these drives, all animals (humans included) would not have the instinct to feed themselves, defend themselves, or breed for the survival of their species. When considering thought, it is important to relate its origin to the survival instincts genetically programmed in our body. Our thoughts come from the mind, and because of their inescapable connection to the body, are infiltrated by survival instinct. Passive thoughts in particular, or mind noise, is driven by instinct.
Mind noise tempts the will. The will is the acting and choosing part of ourselves. Thoughts that are not rooted in the present moment can tempt us to engage in harmful behavior. From our sex instincts come attraction and lust. From our hunger instinct comes craving, which can lead to greed, addiction, and gluttony. From our aggression instinct manifests anger, violence, and judgement. While we do need these drives to live and evolve, we don't need them ruling our minds and ultimately our lives.
An example of unwarranted aggression is passively thinking of a situation in the past where one was hurt, and then reenacting the situation in the mind to an exaggerated degree until one is upset. An example using the future is when one hungers for wealth, power, or influence and imagines their future in a state of magnificence. Both examples of passive thought are not beneficial to being because they are fictions. Mind noise inflates our ego, or skews our perception of things past and present.
The second state of mind is that of intellectualism. Unlike mind noise, intellectualism entails active use of the mind. It involves thinking actively and being fully in control of the mind as to achieve a result. With intellectualism, the mind comes under the command of the will. The manifestations of intellectualism are comparisons, conclusions, creations and affirmations. Unlike mind noise, the thought impulses that occur are less self-centered . That is not to say that intellectualism cannot be used for selfish means. Intellectualism is a state of mind that humans need and ought to value and develop. It is most copiously found in academia and work.
The third state of mind is that of seer. This is the state of mind that humans do not constantly maintain, which ought to be our constant. We are born in a state of seer as babies, observing and learning in wonder. To be a seer demands the constant observation of the inner and outer worlds. One must be fully rooted in the present moment. A seer watches their passive thoughts rise and fall without any intent to engage them. As soon as day dreaming is observed, concentration sets in and mind noise stops. A seer is always completely aware of their surroundings, observing without commenting, judging, or ignoring the world.
In quieting our mind noise, it becomes apparent that identification of self is not with the thoughts but with observation state. To put it simply, we can watch ourselves think nonsense, but we can't be nonsense. This is where Descartes made his greatest error, in my opinion, when he said, "I think therefore I am". Perhaps it should be, "I am therefore I am". Our truest nature is what we are, not what we think. In observing our inner and outer worlds, self attributes itself to something bigger than thought - a state of concentration.
Humans have attempted to become seers throughout history. Philosophers, monks and poets try to transcend their physicality using various disciplines. Those who can truly master their minds become one with the world around them. In observing life as it unfolds, the world imprints itself on the mind the way it really is. In those moments, we can experience a merger of self with non-self. In those moments there is peace.
