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[by way of Lorri Payton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>]

From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Organization: Starbuilders
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 17:24:36 -0400
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Subject: The Thought-Stream
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The Thought Stream

As a loose analogy, the thought-stream is the words and images that 
flow constantly through our heads. It is our ego. If we are anxious, 
then the stream swells into a turbulent river. Meditate or relax, and 
it trickles along like a peaceful creek. 

As a river, it can sweep along heavy objects: tree trunks, telephone 
poles, even houses. These represent intense fears, painful memories, 
and suffering of all kind. In this state, the water is murky. We see 
situations less clearly and, usually, more pessimistically.

A tiny creek, however, supports only the lightest objects. The water 
is clear, and we see the world more as it is. We are more optimistic 
and, flowing peacefully, we are more receptive. Like this, our 
spirit, God, and spiritual guides easily direct and inspire us. Few 
techniques work as well as meditation in keeping the flow rate down.

Like water, the thought-stream envelops all that enters it. Even when 
higher sources inspire us, once we hear that information as words in 
our head, it then becomes part of the stream and is no longer holy. 
Although these higher truths "deteriorate" into elements of the ego, 
being in contact with that higher source renews us. This happens 
because these higher truths are more than drops in the river; they 
are spiritual energy. 

Separate Streams

The thought-stream is what separates us from one another, because 
each is unique and gives a sense of individuality ("I"). This 
divisiveness expresses itself in all fields. Take religion and 
science for instance.

In the past, most believed that religion held the answers to the 
universe. It was a major influence on most thought-streams. More 
recently, science has tried to explain everything within a 
materialistic context, ignoring or even denying the existence of 
spiritual realities. These two methods of inquiry were often mutually 
exclusive and when they clashed, real-life problems arose. These 
clashes, though, rarely changed one's belief; in fact, they 
reinforced them. 

Two Currents

>From another angle, light reflects on the surface of the stream. 
Here, the surface represents our conscious mind. That which lies 
below represents our subconscious mind and includes the emotional 
body. Sharks of aggression, jellyfish of fear, and other stressful 
emotions lurk there. When circumstances trigger these emotions, the 
surface becomes agitated.

How does this work? Say that two people are in a room and they notice 
a snake in the corner. One pulls back in terror while the other, 
intrigued, approaches the creature. Now the outer stimulus was the 
same, yet each interpreted it in a radically different way. In each 
case, the conscious mind relayed the image of the reptile to the 
emotional body. It responded as life had conditioned it -- one with 
interest, one with fear.

Avoid Drowning

How can we use this information to lessen suffering? Usually, we 
resist pain, but that seldom helps. The first step is to notice that 
we are suffering; otherwise, the root remains hidden. Then we try to 
understand the problem so we can work on it. 

Some religions recommend that we surrender our lives to God or to our 
spirit. Others suggest that we allow ourselves to feel the full 
impact of the 
fear and endure it: do not resist. Let the emotion burn out. Like 
this, we can more easily accept our mental and emotional states -- 
our karma, 
fate, or condition of the river -- and we can analyze the situation 
more objectively. The river begins to calm, because we are acting 
rather than 
reacting. We may still feel tense or miserable, but not as much. In 
addition, we are moving in the right direction.

>From here, many techniques are available. Some recommend going within 
and discovering the traumatic childhood experience (or even past-life 
experience) responsible for our current fears. Others suggest doing 
an "astral scan": while in alpha state, inspect the astral body for 
implants or 
astral creatures. If you find something, then remove it, sending it 
to the light.

Conclusion

Two themes have emerged. First, that the thought-stream is an 
indicator, if not a source, of emotional and mental calm or distress. 
Second, that 
the "flow rate" is an indicator of how we are progressing 
spiritually. When the flow rate is calm, we cause less "erosion" to 
our physical, mental, and emotional bodies.

We go with the flow, but we benefit by knowing the nature and content 
of the stream. With practice and understanding, maybe we can walk on 
water.

Evin O'Ryan
Starbuilders
More at: www.starbuilders.org