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**Xbcofega** · 02-03-2011, 04:27 AM

memories of the previous contact of the sense bases and resultant feelings/moods/experiences if there are no external stimuli present

I think you've got it right, Aloka-D.

My thoughts:

Brain activity goes on every 24 hours a day and, I'm pretty sure, reflects neuronal pathways (circuits) that have arisen as a result of (past) sensory input and spontaneous associations ( that, in some way, characterize the human intellect) that arise constantly. It is a normal part of brain function and connot really be turned off (anesthetics do not turn this off- they interefere with transmission of sensory information to the higher centers). It is an innate nature of the human brain that this chatter occurs - creative thinking depends critically on such processes and our intellect, the ability to abstract and also the ability to "think outside of the box" (creativity) depends on this.

I've heard there is evidence that this constant "chatter" can be modified by meditation and it may be that these circuits can also be so modified. Being able to do this would be very helpful for more complex thinking - for example the sort of process involved in solving a difficult mathematical problem.

But taking the view that this chatter can be completely controlled by meditation my not be realistic.

02-03-2011, 04:27 AM	#8
Xbcofega Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 358 Senior Member	memories of the previous contact of the sense bases and resultant feelings/moods/experiences if there are no external stimuli present I think you've got it right, Aloka-D. My thoughts: Brain activity goes on every 24 hours a day and, I'm pretty sure, reflects neuronal pathways (circuits) that have arisen as a result of (past) sensory input and spontaneous associations ( that, in some way, characterize the human intellect) that arise constantly. It is a normal part of brain function and connot really be turned off (anesthetics do not turn this off- they interefere with transmission of sensory information to the higher centers). It is an innate nature of the human brain that this chatter occurs - creative thinking depends critically on such processes and our intellect, the ability to abstract and also the ability to "think outside of the box" (creativity) depends on this. I've heard there is evidence that this constant "chatter" can be modified by meditation and it may be that these circuits can also be so modified. Being able to do this would be very helpful for more complex thinking - for example the sort of process involved in solving a difficult mathematical problem. But taking the view that this chatter can be completely controlled by meditation my not be realistic.
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