In its personnel file, thought’s job description is: Trouble-shooter/advisor, which is clearly its raison d’être. When circumstances threaten survival, the brain instantly stops whatever thought is doing, and automatically turns all of its attention to helping fashion a defense. But when conditions are not so, thought has two things it can do, either: sit and look at itself, or chase rainbows. In ordinary people, in ordinary practice, the first possibility proves most improbable.
The brain is never still. Even when its thought is not engaged in a survival pertinent activity, thought continues to be produced. (A matter, were it not for the brain’s unique consciousness of this activity taking place within itself, would pass unnoted.) It would trouble no one. The longing in some for another condition of mind would be unknown, it would not even be under present discussion.
When thought, is employed in its primary responsibility of helping the organism survive, the brain’s awareness of thought ceases. All of its available resources are totally devoted to defensive operations in times of danger and the brain constructively ceases to be conscious. As ‘tis normally thought of, in that it is characteristically diffused, free flights of frivolous fancy come to an immediate halt. All of the brain’s resources become focused solely on the threat. Thought has no choice to be involved or not, and for the moment becomes but another faceless soldier amidst a mass repelling army.
Nothing more pertinent to our interest here need be noted concerning the matter of thought’s instinctive and primary responsibility. But of supreme significance to the few seeking to see beyond routine horizons, is what happens with thought when it is not so gainfully employed. Like children at recess, workers on break, thought can either sit down and ponder itself, or else go out and chase rainbows. Either reflect on its own existence, or do something to keep it from doing so.
J.