What is a Thought (and What is Not a Thought)?

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About my videos: These videos are a resource for anyone wishing to wake up from the dream of separation. Awakening, enlightenment, and liberation are becoming far more mainstream possibilities than they once were. There are many good teachers out there, and if you resonate with the teachings of Eckhart Tolle, Rupert Spira, or Sadhguru, you might find resources here that address these deeper promptings to investigate your true nature.
Disclaimer: The information presented in these videos is not meant to diagnose or treat any psychiatric or medical illness. The inquiries presented herein are potent and can have powerful effects on the way you experience yourself and reality. If you feel you are at risk of harming yourself or others, these videos and practices may not be the best thing for you at the moment. Seek help wherever necessary which might include a hospital emergency department, a suicide helpline etc.

[@youtoucan2312]

Angelo, you are a machine! You make videos faster than I can watch them! Lol😂

[@joedellatorre31]

Excellent. Thank you. Would love to hear a similar talk on feelings - given that they can be tied up so tightly with thoughts & various sensory perceptions but also can be more subtle than the narrative-type thoughts, or "voice in your head".

[@MaML_MN]

Hey Angelo just wanted to say thanks for making these videos They have brought me a lot of peace and release.

[@hazybrain7]

I agree so much, and also have so much gratitude for these short concise mini meditations that draw me back to the here and now daily. I practice these daily, working, driving, interacting with people (The hardest for me, as thought really asserts itself and the persona contracts to interact with words and silly little opinions, that I always end up looking back at thinking , wow I'm so superficial and generally negative in my outlook !) - from morning til night, and I'm amazed how much my mind can go off on tangents and narratives that I fully believe in until I'm drawn back to that quiet awareness over and over. I can see that there is so much to bind me over and over, and then Angelo shows up and it's like it all drops away - ha ha, there I go again; another little narrative. Boy oh boy ! Thanks Angelo ..

[@highvibefreqzshow5967]

The first thought was “What thought? There were no thoughts, I was just listening.” 😂 “I don’t want to think,” is a pretty good one too. 🤣 “What else is here?” Now this is precisely the wisdom I was just asking myself to be applying today. So right on time Angelo, in ways I couldn’t even begin to imagine. Just thought I’d share this with you as you are already sharing with me in ways I truly appreciate once I can see it so clearly, it’s pretty amazing to see how it all flows through us. Thank you. 🙏

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Love it!

[@Tradaxta]

My favourite though is, after a period of meditation, when the mind calms down a bit there always a "Wow I'm getting good at this" thought. That one cracks me up

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

😂

[@pettiprue]

Hey Angelo. I recognise thoughts. It is often "that old chestnut," they are the same ones over and over. I started wondering about noticing emotions (in response to thoughts that get away and I experience a contraction to) I have found an increased understanding that my emotions are like my thoughts! They can be observed and subsequently dissipate. Now, what is really freaky is my body. I observe (recognise) my leg jiggling, or scratching my knee and even needing a drink! Often as a contraction to a thought. Weird!! And transforming.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

That’s right!! Nice work

[@Kim-sherie]

Consciousness is needed for the recognition of the senses. So I could say that the senses are a thought and consciousness is a thought. But then again, consciousness is no more than a sense in itself

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

look into that first statement :)

[@Kim-sherie]

@@SimplyAlwaysAwake so perhaps identity is tied into consciousness still? Actually, I can see that happening 😀

[@kalbertdr]

It is fun to sit back and notice the activity of the mind. I think non attachment to the thoughts is what allows us to notice them as such.

[@praviplavokutnik]

I love your videos and because of them I got to the point where I no longer see outer world and objects as something that leads to true happiness, now it's the silence that draws my attention. So thank you for your work, it really helps. If I remember, you said that transcendental meditation helped you in some way. I practice it too, but I get different experiences from it, depending on other circumstances. Could you explain how that mantra form of meditation effects this mechanism of thoughts and perception and do you have some advice on how or when to use it? Cheers

[@givingwaytopresence]

This may be the most down to earth, crystal clear summation of “the path” of unbinding I’ve ever heard. Just amazing man, love it!

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Thanks, Nice to hear from you :)

[@morpety]

Love the form you have chosen to express your understanding of something you feel is important to communicate to the World. I also love the courage you have found to do so. The fact that people such as yourself are appearing and sharing their understanding is a very positive sign indeed.

[@festral7509]

My best understanding of the nature of thought is it seems to be a 6th sense that vaguely imitates visual and auditory sensations but never quite matches them.

[@ry77801]

The most peaceful place is no thoughts ❤

[@simpelman]

This was very helpful. Just see and feel what is real and what is yourself making up a wish, a memory, something you think you already know, something you expect, something you learned. But reality is always changing, moment from moment, you can't pin it down, or pin it down in words.

[@traceykeary5332]

Was totally thinking of my dog Angelo.

[@Bren_Sie]

Are you kidding me right now. 😆 I was just in a discussion with a friend regarding her reactivity and now her daughter showing the same. She has an idea of the changes I've made in my self and asked for advice. I figured I should probably start with thought and go from there. But then I decided that I really don't want to fuck this up. So I decide..."hmmm Angelo has some good videos on thought and reactivity in general. Let's see if one pops up as perfect for her" "What is a thought" posted an hour ago. You're a wizard Harry. 😉

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

🧙‍♀️

[@AmzMusic11]

This was so beautifuly explained, thank you. 🙏

[@discoveringthei]

What is Not a Thought is the question I've meditated on for months now. Time will eventually disappear and there will be nothing and everything. There will just be this. No need. No want. No trying to explain anything or understand anything. Just what is. I one time meditated on it and opened my eyes and three hours had passed, tears were running down my face, and everything for that day felt like it was vibrating. But there was still me. I'm reminded of the statement from Alan Watts: Though It seems like I know that I know, what I would like to see is the "I" that knows "me" when I knows that I know that I know. Still discovering more of that I.

[@bridgetcampbell6629]

It was so interesting to see my thoughts going back and forth between listening to the words and appreciating the beautiful music. I watched this video twice and will watch it again soon. Many thanks!

[@eric-humanappliance]

Beautiful. So generous of you to share this. Such clarity.

[@gobelin4523]

Sometimes, when I observe thoughts, after a little time, it gets so light. Something intrinsically invisible becomes so obvious, being becomes the most obvious experience. Everything that could be perceived comes after that. My identity is shaken and it feels incredibly enjoyable. And sometimes, I can see I'm observing to achieve something, to get something out of this "exercise", and tension builds up. I'm waiting for something to occur and of course it does not. I have the intuition that this is because observing is done on the behalf of the one that wants to get results out of it. It seems the thought assuming that this one is me is not seen directly. This is quite sticky! I guess trying "too" hard can induce new thoughts and over complicate this process.

[@plantlove2585]

Thank you for clarifying that thoughts start sounding more like a voice the more you dis-identify with them. I was so surprised how there is an obsessive commenting on everything I see all the time, now that I started being more aware of thoughts. It feels like it's endless, all the time and sometimes just so weird to watch. I am looking at anything and it goes: Tree, flowers, wind, feeling good, sunshine, ground, feet on ground, nice, bird flying... and on and on. I was wondering, if it had always been there, labeling all the details of my experience. But it seems like it must have been. I just had gotten so used to it, now that I'm listening in it sounds actually quite insane. :DDD Trying to let it do its' thing. But it is quite stressfull at times.

[@Loganworthw]

Hello Angelo. Excellent and helpful insights in this video. Also, I really like the background music. Do you by any chance have the title of the track handy? 😃 Thanks!

[@georgeshepherd3381]

Thank you! This is great!

[@johnklessinger560]

Great explanation! Thank you!

[@nameless-yd6ko]

We are all One Consciousness perceiving One Mind. One feature of perceived Mind is 'thought'. Thought = Ego = Duality = Illusion = mortality = Maya = Satan... "Everything thoughtlessly perceived is non-dual Reality, Zen." - Bodhidharma

[@IntegratingThePsychosphere]

It would be lovely to be able to listen to these on the go (offline). Have you considered uploading the audio to Spotify as a podcast?

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Wouldn’t you know I have…

[@briandonovan5687]

Thanks for more clarity on this, it's exactly where I seem to be, starting to see what I'm thinking. . . I think 🤔

[@philmuchbetter]

Crystal clear as always. Thank you 🙏

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Welcome

[@henno6207]

While watching this I tried to "go deeper" than thought, and immediately your face on my screen became flat, and the shadow on the right side of your face looked like this black line next to your face. Trippy

[@user-wv4lq7op4u]

This is a very good video, helped me in my practice❤️❤️🙏🏻

[@n-xsta]

3:17 💎

[@AjaAum]

This has been interesting for me because I only have thoughts in the form of stream of consciousness narrative auditory or strongly felt but never visualized. I recently found out that other people see thoughts like a movie, while I do not. You’d think it would be easier and in a lot of ways I’m sure it is. I have had little difficulty recognizing thought when I first began to examine what a thought is for me. However, very little is geared towards those of us who don’t think or intuit in pictures at all. I get confused when teachers or others on the path speak of experiential “insights” as opposed to “thoughts” in literature others on the path teachers and those who have apparently woken up often describe visual insights especially in the awakening “flash” . I have always had clear knowing outside of thoughts I know it doesn’t belong to me and doesn’t come from the mind. I’d be interested to hear from others who have gone through awakening and also don’t have a Visual aspect of thought.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Check out the recent interview with Kim. She also has aphantasia. Alos insights (as opposed to thoughts or experiences) in the context I use are not thoughts, visual thoughts, not of the mind at all actually.

[@ganazby]

🙏

[@ericmunn330]

Love the Sakura

[@ChristinaAmberson]

There seems to be an underlying unspoken claim that if we notice "what we really are" while carefully observing thoughts, that that 'Awareness' or whatever it is will be PREFERRED to thoughts. In the comments I notice that most people seem to not like thoughts and prefer what they call silence or presence or awareness. But I find that the more I observe, the more I LIKE thoughts. So maybe that's why I haven't awakened. I don't find that thoughts are bad, or unenjoyable.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Have you ever had anxiety, panic, self doubt, psychological fear, rumination?

[@leahsmee592]

Yes Angelo,can I answer that question and say yes I have had anxiety,panic attacks, rumination etc... just wondering why you asked this in response to what this person is saying about not necessarily preferring silence, awareness etc and liking thoughts....

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

@@leahsmee592 well that’s your answer all of those are forms of thought and people find them uncomfortable

[@leahsmee592]

@@SimplyAlwaysAwake yes I understand, but maybe also comfortable? These forms of thought are so familiar and it's very difficult for some people to not be anxious or panicky or constantly ruminate and obsess over the same things, and I personally identify with this,,those mental grooves are well worn but I practice every day to create new neural pathways and to just simply notice the mind's activity...

[@ami156]

This background really matches your complexion :D

[@cheryltackett8307]

WOW! Thanks

[@RyanBowcutt]

Many thanks; I love detailed descriptions of practices like this. But the thing that would be really helpful for me to know is this: When your attention is resting on the thoughtless conscious space, what exactly is it that tends to happen as awakening approaches? Is there a build up of energy in the identity structure until it releases, taking much of that structure with it? Or is it more like a recognition of “your” true nature that sinks deeper and deeper until it becomes undeniable? Or are you becoming more and more present until you get a vivid glimpse of timelessness? Or is it something else altogether?

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

If you know the answer to this question what will that do for you in that moment?

[@NavAK_86]

Is being aware of thoughts and not derailing into them helpful when you have a job that requires a lot of analysis?I know that's more goal oriented for work, but I wonder if being incentivized to think and analyze more for work on a daily basis could interfere with the faculties of training the mind to stay more present of our thoughts and detached from all the noise.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

You’d be surprised what can be accomplished without thought!

[@stevec8872]

I find that when I recognize thoughts they disappear. And when I am attentive enough to their arising they don't arise at all. Practical thoughts seem to come in when necessary still. But ruminating types of thoughts and self-referential thoughts seem to largely disappear. Is that the point? To just stay hrre this way? I mean, it's definitely not unpleasant lol

[@karen6778]

Aha! ❤

[@VeritableVagabond]

Would you say much of the dissatisfaction people experience can be found in thought?

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

100% of it

[@yasminel-hakim4348]

🙏❤️

[@jaredmccart2306]

Love the logical process sir! But you are describing consciousness vs nature/nurture/impulse. Impulsive vs Intention...

[@jaredmccart2306]

Assumed profession is programming

[@jaredmccart2306]

Or teacher

[@jaredmccart2306]

Teaching/educational topics being: Spirituality Neurology Logic Theory Psychology ...more to metion...

[@jamesphillips523]

A thought isn’t a though although that’s a thought

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

🥳

[@mkenoyer]

A hypothesis: The feeling of being a person in a body in a world comes about as we learn to experience our thoughts as muscle contractions in our throat and tongue. We learn to activate these muscles when speaking and they are subvocalized by most people when we 'think' to ourselves. That habit of experiencing our thoughts as subtle muscle contractions creates a "feeling" in our body that exists over time as we "hear" our internal thoughts. With attention and practice we can learn to stop subvocalizing as we think and then we no longer "hear" or have thoughts. This practice can eventually become permanent and then we are "awake". This ultimately applies to all thoughts which are just beliefs. When all beliefs no longer are fed by the contractive energy of beliefs then all 10 fetters have dropped.

[@niloc1414]

What is not a thought is ever present.

[@myrealnameisawareness]

Hello, I wanted to buy a blue tshirt from your website. But while the images are not paired with the labels of the colour so i dont know which blue is dusty blue and which is icy blue. Let me know if there is a way around it. Thanks.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

disregard my last answer, you have to enter size to see the color choice

[@myrealnameisawareness]

@@SimplyAlwaysAwake i can select the colour, I just don’t know visually what the colour is because while viewing them i can choose colours separately but with the size i can only see names. So i can see the colours and the names of the colours but separately.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

@@myrealnameisawareness so when you choose both size and color the picture doesn’t change to the color, bc that’s how it works when I check it. If not you may try a different platform

[@ezrawinston9025]

are all thoughts either mental talk (or at least mental sounds) or mental images?

[@GumbyTheGreen1]

Thoughts can reflect any of the five senses (hence you can remember how a thing looks, sounds, feels, tastes, or smells) or other thoughts.

[@ezrawinston9025]

@@GumbyTheGreen1 that’s interesting because I can’t seem to call up tastes or smells in memory. Also i don’t feel like a taste, whether external or mental, could be a thought. Interesting

[@GumbyTheGreen1]

@@ezrawinston9025 Really? Not even in short term memory? Not even things you’ve tasted and smelled a lot throughout your life? You can’t remember what your favorite food tastes like at all? To be clear, smells and other sensory phenomena are *not* thoughts in the moment that they’re directly experienced, but remembering them requires thought.

[@ezrawinston9025]

@@GumbyTheGreen1 actually you made me realize that i can sort of. just that the “mind’s tongue” is hazier than the mind’s eye. thanks!

[@GumbyTheGreen1]

@@ezrawinston9025 That’s probably true and there are probably evolutionary reasons for it (gotta eat actual food to enjoy the flavor).

[@adrianwiniarski4592]

Kensho isnt it also called satori ?

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Yes

[@adrianwiniarski4592]

@@SimplyAlwaysAwake are they from two different schools or Just different descriptions of this experience ?

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

@@adrianwiniarski4592 just different descriptions.

[@edwardcottrill584]

Hi Angelo. I have subscribed, unsubscribed, resubscribed then unsubscribed again. The reason is simply that you upload too many videos a day (or "content overload", as you put it in another video 😊). One full video plus two shorts per day means your channel completely dominates my feed. It's your face everywhere, always. 😂Unfortunately, KZbin currently has no way to exclude Shorts from the feed (a feature many have asked for, but no luck yet). I have continued to watch your videos, and am very grateful as always, but if you have noticed a dip in subscriptions since starting the Shorts, that is probably why. No doubt some people will enjoy receiving that much content from you, but it's a bit much for me. Not making any demands, just letting you know the issue for me personally. Much love. ❤

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

if you just unsubscribe, you should see far less. Also then you can look at this channel any time you want to see recent uploads. Don't let that algorithm tell you what to watch! 😂

[@edwardcottrill584]

@@SimplyAlwaysAwake Yep, I have done exactly that. 😊

[@Ballsmasher69420]

Why so sad, should put some jazz music bro cause it's good news, all I see is that awakening is scary and sad and destructive and you lose

[@skiq2520]

thats all you bby this a whole jam

[@LeanDadDevelopment]

More duality…