The Hidden Toll of Constant Thinking

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Changren, who shares profound insights on the spiritual and physical consequences of habitual thinking. This account was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on February 20, 2023, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia.

Venerable Changren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. It is a common phenomenon for the human mind to be habitually engaged in constant thinking. For most people, the brain is viewed primarily as a tool for cognition—a mechanism to navigate daily life and resolve the myriad problems that arise. We rely on this thinking process to define our existence and manage our reality.

Within our temple, we often hear the elders remind the fourfold assembly of the importance of purifying our thoughts. They urge us not to let these wandering thoughts compromise our inner purity. In this spirit, I would like to share some observations I have made regarding how this process actually manifests in the spiritual realms.

The Link Between Thinking and Drowsiness

One of the most frequent situations I observe is that 'thinking triggers drowsiness.' This is a state that occurs in almost everyone. When viewed from the perspective of the spiritual realms, it becomes incredibly clear: the majority of a person's drowsiness is inextricably linked to their own thinking process. While there are certainly other contributing factors, thinking accounts for a massive proportion of this state. Compared to other influences, the impact of habitual thought is immense, and it is a critical area that every practitioner should explore and seek to change.

Thoughts appear in the mind with extreme subtlety. When I speak of 'thinking' here, I am not referring to the deliberate, planned thoughts we use to solve a specific task. Rather, I am referring to the way the brain is naturally pulled into a train of thought. It might be a memory of something that happened in the past, a sight or sound from moments ago, a lingering concern, or an upcoming challenge. As long as the subject matter relates to the self, it will, in an unguarded moment, surface in the mind and begin to cycle.

The Loss of Conscious Control

Some individuals possess a high degree of sensitivity and can immediately recognise when they have begun to drift into this state. Others, with less sensitivity, may find themselves lost in thought for a long time before they even realise what is happening. While some have the awareness to stop the process, the vast majority of people simply allow themselves to continue drifting along with these thoughts.

What is visible to the spiritual eye is that regardless of the nature of the thought, once the 'consciousness' of the head is pulled into this 'thought space,' the individual enters a state where their spirit is easily 'carried away.' At this point, whether it is the karmic creditors residing within the head or external wandering spirits and ghost deities, they can exert a much more significant influence on the body. Simply put, once consciousness enters this thought space, the focus that one should be maintaining vanishes. The position of leadership over one's own mind is easily usurped, and that is precisely when the onset of drowsiness begins.

The Body as a Puppet of Thought

How great is the impact of thinking on the human body? I cannot quantify every single level of influence, but I can tell you this: thinking dominates the body, and the body is controlled by these thoughts. But one must ask: who is doing the thinking? Is it you using your own brain, or are other beings operating your brain to think? This is something everyone must observe for themselves. One path involves retaining the right to use your own head, while the other involves handing over total control to other beings.

I often observe the heads of the fourfold assembly, and in many instances, they are being pulled by other beings into these thought spaces. This is especially common during a Dharma assembly. During these events, not everyone is able to keep their focus entirely on the site of the ceremony. Their intentions are often erratic and varied. Once they enter these spaces, even if they 'come back to their senses' later, they cannot return one hundred percent. This is because the space within the brain has already been occupied—this is what we call spiritual attachment.

The Accumulation of Mental Toxins

The impact of thinking on the head goes beyond mere drowsiness; it also severely interferes with the purification of the head, a fact that everyone is well aware of. To be more precise, every instance of thinking creates a 'space' within the head. These spaces do not simply vanish when the thinking stops; they remain. Over time, as these thoughts accumulate, the 'large space' of the entire head becomes gradually filled with these 'small spaces of thought.' This easily leads to fatigue and states of drowsiness. The so-called foul energy, toxins, or turbid energy are all inseparable from these thought patterns.

Furthermore, within these thoughts, one can clearly see the presence of 'Goodness' and 'evil.' When evil thoughts exist, or when the mind is clouded by greed, anger, and delusion, the impact on the human body becomes even more severe. The body's internal space is opened up by these negative thoughts, effectively awakening the sentient beings residing within. A sensitive person will immediately feel this. For example, when you harbour an inappropriate thought, certain parts of your body will respond—perhaps you feel a tightness in the brain, or a sudden pain in a specific area. This is a sign that the beings within your body have been awakened by your thoughts.

Practitioners must never underestimate the influence of thinking. A purified head is conducive to pure practice. At every moment, be aware of your thoughts and intentions. Do not let your consciousness easily fall into these thought spaces, losing your command over your own body and leaving yourself in a state of constant drowsiness or impurity.

Namo Amituofo."