Anjana Sahney Thakker
Achieving a state of no thought is a common goal for many meditators. The no thought state is often described as a momentary pause in the continuous mental chatter that occupies our attention and distracts us from the present moment. While it is not possible to completely eliminate all thoughts, it is achievable to reach a state where thoughts are not overwhelming and one can observe them without being consumed by them. This state, known as no thought or no mind, is characterised by heightened awareness, purity, and a sense of transformation. It is said to bring about a sense of peace, calm, and improved focus, as well as long-term benefits such as reduced anxiety.
What You'll Learn
The 'no thought' state is a temporary state
The "no thought" state in meditation is a temporary state where the mind is quiet, one-pointed, and absorbed in itself. It is a momentary experience of heightened awareness and purity, free from the continuous mental chatter that usually occupies our heads. This state, known as jhanic samadhi, is achieved under specific conditions, such as sitting meditation, and only lasts for a split second.
In the "no thought" state, the person cannot function, and there is a sense of being completely without thought, but consciousness still exists. This experience is described as timeless and infinite, a moment of transformation where the sense of "I" and "mine" resolve. After this moment, thoughts, emotions, and actions arise, but they are not bound by old habitual routines. Instead, they are infused with love and compassion, and the person experiences a sense of purity and heightened consciousness.
While the "no thought" state is temporary, it has long-term benefits. It brings about a reduction in anxiety and an improved ability to focus. It is a peaceful state, free from the turmoil of constant thoughts, and it allows for a deeper connection with one's true self. This state is not about becoming inert or unfeeling but rather, it brings out positive qualities such as love, warmth, and sensitivity.
Achieving the "no thought" state requires dedication and practice. It is not something that can be forced but rather, it is a skill that is cultivated over time through various meditation techniques. It is important to note that even with practice, the "no thought" state may only be maintained for a brief period, and complete thought eradication is not possible. However, with mastery over thoughts, one can learn to detach from them and not be consumed by them.
The "no thought" state is a temporary respite from the constant mental noise, offering a glimpse of tranquility and self-awareness. It is a milestone on the path to joy and self-discovery, reminding us that we can find peace and clarity within the chaos of our minds.
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It is possible to be mostly without thoughts for some time
Achieving a "no thought" state is a common goal for meditators. In this state, the mind is quiet, absorbed in itself, and free from the continuous mental chatter that occupies our attention throughout the day. While it may seem scary to become "completely without thought", it is important to clarify that this state does not refer to becoming "mindless" or unconscious. Instead, it means that consciousness exists without thoughts, and this is possible under certain conditions.
The "no thought" state, also known as "no mind" or "Nirmal Stithi", can be achieved through meditation practices. It is a temporary state where thoughts fall away, and the mind experiences heightened awareness, purity, and a sense of oneness. This state is called "jhanic samadhi" in sitting meditation and "khanika samadhi" in daily-life meditation. While it may last only a split second, it is an intense and transformative experience.
Achieving the "no thought" state requires practice and dedication. It is not about forcing yourself to stop thinking but rather involves mastering your thoughts so that they do not control you. With time and practice, it is possible to reach a state where thoughts are not violent or overpowering. They come and go without establishing a permanent residence in our minds, and we observe them with detachment.
The benefits of achieving mastery over thoughts are significant. It leads to a state of deep calm, peace, and noiselessness, along with improved perceptions, focus, and the ability to overcome distractions. However, it is important to note that completely banishing all thoughts is neither possible nor necessary. The key is to attain mastery over thoughts so that they serve you rather than being your master.
While the "no thought" state is a milestone on the path to joy and awakening, it is not the ultimate objective. The ultimate aim of meditation is to live in the present moment, and this can be achieved through mindfulness practices that extend beyond the meditation cushion into daily life.
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The 'no thought' state is not the objective of meditation
Achieving a state of "no thought" or "no mind" is a common objective for many who practice meditation. The idea of being free from the continuous mental chatter that occupies our attention and distracts us from the present moment is certainly appealing. However, it is important to understand that "no thought" does not mean the absence of consciousness or becoming completely mindless. Instead, it refers to a state where thoughts are not violent or overpowering, and one can observe thoughts without being consumed by them.
While it is possible to attain a temporary state of "no thought" through meditation, it is not the ultimate objective of the practice. The goal of meditation is not to empty the mind completely but to achieve a state of mindfulness and heightened awareness. It is about learning to master thoughts so that they serve you, rather than control you. This means that you can actively think when needed, and when thoughts are not necessary, they become like light clouds floating in a clear sky—present but without power over you.
Meditation teaches us to observe our thoughts without judgement or attachment, allowing them to come and go without establishing a permanent residence in our minds. This detached awareness leads to a sense of calm and peace, as well as improved focus and perception. However, it is important to note that thoughts will still be present, and there is no need to banish them altogether. The key is to develop a healthy relationship with your thoughts, where you are not consumed by them but can use them when needed.
The benefits of meditation extend beyond the meditation session itself. Through regular practice, individuals can learn to live in the present moment and bring mindfulness into their daily lives. This means that even during everyday activities, one can maintain a sense of awareness and calm, free from the distractions and disturbances of overwhelming thoughts. Thus, while achieving a state of "no thought" can be a beneficial aspect of meditation, it is not the sole purpose or objective of the practice.
In conclusion, while the "no thought" state can be a valuable experience on the path to self-improvement and enlightenment, it is not the ultimate goal of meditation. The true objective of meditation is to cultivate a mindful and aware state of being, where thoughts are observed without attachment, and one can live fully in the present moment.
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The 'no thought' state is a state of heightened awareness
The "no thought" state in meditation is often referred to as a milestone on the path to joy and enlightenment. It is a state of heightened awareness where the mind is quiet and absorbed in itself, free from the continuous mental chatter that usually occupies our attention. While it is not possible to completely eliminate thoughts, achieving a state of mostly no thoughts is possible through meditation.
In the "no thought" state, the mind is purified and one can experience heightened consciousness, pure vision, and a sense of transformation. It is a temporary state where thoughts fall away, and the person is unable to function, but it is said to bring out the best in people, fostering love, warmth, and sensitivity.
Achieving the "no thought" state requires dedication and practice. It is described as a temporary release from the continuous stream of thoughts that can be violent, disturbing, and overpowering. When in this state, one can observe thoughts without being consumed by them, achieving a sense of mastery over them. This results in a state of deep calm, peace, and noiselessness, along with improved perception, focus, and the ability to overcome distractions.
The "no thought" state is not about becoming mindless or inert but rather about reaching a heightened state of consciousness and awareness. It is a transformative experience that can lead to insights about one's life and a deeper understanding of the world. While it may be challenging to attain, the benefits of this state can have long-term positive effects, including reduced anxiety and improved focus.
Meditation practices such as mindfulness, breath concentration, and non-directive meditation can help one achieve the "no thought" state. It is important to note that this state is not the ultimate objective of meditation but rather a tool to explore and deepen one's meditation practice.
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The 'no thought' state is a state of self-awareness
The "no thought" state in meditation is often referred to as a milestone on the path to joy and enlightenment. It is a state where the mind is quiet, focused, and free from the continuous mental chatter that usually occupies our attention. While it is not possible to completely eliminate thoughts, achieving a state of "no thought" involves gaining mastery over them so that they no longer control or overwhelm us.
In the "no thought" state, the mind is purified and self-aware. It is a temporary state where thoughts fall away, and one experiences heightened awareness, purity, and a sense of transformation. This state is also referred to as samadhi or khanika samadhi, where the "I" momentarily ceases to exist, and one experiences a sense of oneness and tranquility.
Achieving the "no thought" state requires dedication and practice. It involves actively watching the mind and being mindful of thoughts without getting absorbed by them. With time and practice, it is possible to attain a state of detached awareness, where thoughts come and go without permanently residing in our minds. This state of mindfulness can be cultivated through various meditation techniques, such as focusing on the breath, chanting, or visualisation.
The benefits of achieving the "no thought" state are profound. It leads to a state of deep calm, improved perception, enhanced focus, and a reduction in anxiety. It allows one to experience pure vision or "ditthi visuddhi", where thoughts, emotions, and actions are tempered with love and compassion. This state of self-awareness is a transformative experience, where one's true self communes with itself, leading to personal growth and a sense of inner peace.
Thus, the "no thought" state in meditation is a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal development. It empowers individuals to gain mastery over their thoughts, cultivate self-awareness, and experience a heightened sense of tranquility and compassion. By quieting the mind and achieving a state of thoughtlessness, individuals can unlock their true potential and live a more fulfilling life.
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Frequently asked questions
The "no thought" state in meditation refers to a state of mind where there is a lack of continuous mental chatter and noise, and thoughts do not engulf the individual. In this state, the mind is quiet, one-pointed and absorbed in itself.
It is possible to achieve a "no thought" state, but it requires time and practice. It is important to note that banishing thoughts altogether is not the objective of meditation. Instead, the goal is to achieve mastery over thoughts, so they do not control or overpower you.
Achieving a "no thought" state can lead to a sense of deep calm, peace, and noiselessness. It can also result in improved perceptions, focus, and the ability to overcome distractions. Additionally, it can bring about a heightened awareness and a sense of transformation, leading to subsequent thoughts, emotions, and actions that are tempered with love and compassion.
When you achieve the "no thought" state, you may experience a heavy flow of energy, physical sensations such as pain or shivers, or vivid imagery. However, these experiences can vary from person to person, and some may not have any unusual sensations at all. The key indicator is a sense of self-awareness, where your true self communes with itself.
There are various techniques that can aid in achieving the "no thought" state. These include focusing on the breath, chanting Om, visualisation, and practicing mindfulness in daily life. It is important to find a technique that works best for you and to remember that meditation is an individual journey.
