Evolution of Thought, What Changes Your Mind?

So, what changes your mind? By mind i mean the thought you have. When you are thinking of a topic, what changes your mind on that topic? Why? How do you understand your own belief structure? When i say "change" and i apply it to the idea of your mind having thoughts, what does that actually mean? Does that mean you are having a perspective change? Does that mean you are experiencing micro evolution? What could an actual thought change represent?

Is it like a software upgrade every time you think differently, does the source code change?

[edit on 26-6-2010 by onequestion]

reply to post by onequestion



I'm a woman, therefore, I can change my mind on anything, from one second to the next!

Does it mean I am evolving? Could be, but, I'll get back to you later on this, as I'm really not sure what to think about it!

Originally posted by onequestion
So, what changes your mind? By mind i mean the thought you have. When you are thinking of a topic, what changes your mind on that topic? Why? How do you understand your own belief structure? When i say "change" and i apply it to the idea of your mind having thoughts, what does that actually mean? Does that mean you are having a perspective change? Does that mean you are experiencing micro evolution? What could an actual thought change represent?

Is it like a software upgrade every time you think differently, does the source code change?

[edit on 26-6-2010 by onequestion]

IMO, we change our ways of thinking everyday.

We are different people from one day to the next. YOU are not who you were 1 year ago, your a totallly different person.

Why?

Because of the information you've gained since then, the experience let's say. It's like being level 10 and then level 20, there's a whole lot more you can do and a whole lot more you understand.

I don't think it's thought evolution, although that's a way of putting it I suppose. It's more thought progression, where logic begins to take the place of just pure arbitrary belief systems.

A thought change is simply you changing your way of thinking based on new information you've recently received. It's just environmental conditioning, adaptation.

~Keeper

Thoughts appear and disappear, just as clouds come and go. There is no-one thinking the thoughts, if there was you could have whatever thoughts you choose. Like you can tell the weather what to do. All the content of life, thoughts, feelings, sounds, sights, weather - all just happen. Life happens and thought arises in it. Thoughts are not separate from this life, they are part of the scenery. Everything comes (appears) and goes, except the one that notices this coming and going.

Real verifiable facts.

But when there's no real facts, such as in the case of religion, I have to go with what I deem is right. Just because somebody has a better argument, or a more verbose, or a contradictory argument, doeswn't mean they're right or correct.

I also believe being right and correct are two different things.

Hard evidence, and personal experience are what have changed my previous beliefs, which were gained through conditioning, fear, manipulation and indoctrination. I try not to hold any beliefs because I dont think we can ever know the truth about most things. I sure as hell dont take people's word for things on important matters.

reply to post by evilminime

Real facts? What is real? All things are really just illusion. All things come and go. The one that notices the comings and goings is the only steady presence, the real reality. This one is only here and now, it can not be found elsewhere. The all seeing ' I '.
When we dwell in the now there is no room for right or correct, it is perfect as it is. Thoughts will still arise but they are just arising in the now. Mind has no substance, just one thought arising one at a time.
Thought can be used as a tool to plan and count. Thought is not what you are. What you are is 'that', that is aware of thought and all other content.
Give thanks to what is. It's just a ride.

[edit on 26-6-2010 by Itisnowagain]

I don't know if I ever truly change my mind ... I think my mind moves in a direction of a changing issue or an event.. when things change my mind reviews what it knows and thus the my thoughts keep up with what is known.

It's like if you know that your thoughts change according to what you find out that’s new like new information to an issue .. you start out liking the way it tastes until a new ingredient is added and you decide you don’t like it anymore .. but it can always return to liking it because you learn to adapt or give it another try.. So really it's a matter of mind over matter to me.

Now if you are talking about permanent change I don’t know .. if in fact that is even possible cause that old saying never say never ???

Or you have said absolutely not my mind is made up and this is the way it is .. uh huh sure and a month later your back to the same thought as you were before .. so this is a question that's very hard to say .. cos of how things in your mind never seem to forget why it is you wanted to change your mind it almost always reverts back to the way it was in the beginning .. oh well I gave my point of view only cos it's really happened to me so many times ..

IMO This could be the most important questions that we ask ourselves. If quantum theory is alluding to the fact that all matter is a probability based on the observer- than our thoughts are the stuff that our reality is created from.
I have been amazed sometimes when I actually bother to tune in and really pay attention to what I'm thinking. The incessant stream of chatter that goes through my head without any real conscience direction from me is astonishing! No wonder my life isn't turning out the way I expect it to!

The thought processes where I am consciously stating my intentions seem to be a embarrassingly low percentage compared to the endless mundane thought streams that seem to go on involuntarily like my heart beating or my breathing.

I also, have problems with obsessive and repeating thoughts. I will replay the same situation over and over again in my mind like a one act play in my own personal little drama and I can get stuck in that for a long time!

I think conscious thinking and the discipline of our minds is the key to the kingdom. Below my droning thought rants are the belief systems that create my life- and many of them are erroneous.

I am trying to change my thoughts by paying attention to what I really think, deciding if I actually believe what I'm thinking is true and if I don't think it is true I try and figure out the root of where the errant thought came from.

The trick for me is once I discover belief systems that don't truly serve me but are none the less manifesting in my life- I pray.

I can't fix my problem thinking with my problem thinking. A God of some sort (any sort) seems to be the only thing that can break the circuit so that change can happen.

My thoughts change depending on the situation and my surroundings. I tend to think too much sometimes and therefore change my mind too many damn times If I am making a decision I think of the possible outcomes and those outcomes can change my thought process on any given day.

For example, I am very into UFOs and ET life but I am starting to think differently about UFOs the more I read. I still believe some are ET but I believe most are our own aircraft that we are testing or have been using for quite some time.

I just depends on what I read. The more I read the more I change my mind and thoughts on various things. One thought can have a chain reaction to multiple changes.

Hi everyone,

To the OP, I don't know if this answer will make you really happy but it might clear up some confusion or lead you down another path of enquiry.

I've posted before about a certain Dr Milton Erickson who nearly single-handly invented the gamut of psychology treatments for the less than perfectly healthy - and he helped healthy people too - prevention is better than cure.

Anyway - check out the books about Milton and his work in the field of human technologies. The basic answer is we have a subconscious brain that is normally out of conscious reach but is giving us suggestions all the time and records EVERY experience of our life. Any decision we made is merely our full brain summing up the weight of experience and trying to fit patterns that have proved useful in the past.

You might really have to think about it too gain a bigger understanding, the brain is really a big amnesia machine that filters out messages constantly - it seems mistakes are pre-wired through evolution in order to help people can new understandings.

Just a little story from Erickson, for many years he worked at a mental institute in the good ol USA. He came across a delusional patient who thought he was Jesus. As fortune would have it, another patient also there thought he was Jesus. Milton as a part of treatment would organise joint lunches for these two guys - well, it soon became clear that each one thought the other crazy and this lead each one t question their own beliefs

I've worked out what causes depression (wrong use of the fight or flight reflex and/or/ lack of enjoyable activties and/or getting locked into a single NLP style representational system) and its ultimate answer/cure (hint its about being proud of you achievements in the past and looking to the future) but that is for another thread.

Peace out now and forever

reply to post by mblahnikluver


My thoughts change depending on the situation and my surroundings. I tend to think too much sometimes and therefore change my mind too many damn times If I am making a decision I think of the possible outcomes and those outcomes can change my thought process on any given day.

Can I ask, if you making a decision, how much would you say your subconscious brain plays a part? 1% 50% or 100% just for example? Where do the thoughts of psssible outcomes stem from do you think?

Peace

reply to post by yyyyyyyyyy


I over analyze everything which is why I always have different thoughts. I guess you could say it's my subconscious. It's like I will get this feeling or gut instinct and that is when I know the decision I am making is either right or wrong. It's weird, I don't know how to really explain it. I think my subconscious plays a part 75% of the time.

I always like to know the possible outcome of all situations, every situation can have endless outcomes. Some people don't think about this when making decisions and I think more people should. I never really make rash decisions without fully thinking of the possibilities. It can be annoying sometimes because it's like my brain won't stop! I don't know why I analyze things so much but I always have. You just never know.

Originally posted by onequestion
So, what changes your mind? By mind i mean the thought you have. When you are thinking of a topic, what changes your mind on that topic? Why? How do you understand your own belief structure? When i say "change" and i apply it to the idea of your mind having thoughts, what does that actually mean? Does that mean you are having a perspective change? Does that mean you are experiencing micro evolution? What could an actual thought change represent?

Is it like a software upgrade every time you think differently, does the source code change?

[edit on 26-6-2010 by onequestion]

A disagreement + open-mindedness.

if i disagree with someone, I mostly want to change their views with conflicting facts or a comparison of mine, but if I disagree with someone while accepting I could be wrong, regardless how right I think I am, It allows me to change my way of thinking as long as what is shared brings clarity.

I can't really think of a metaphor for it.
If your mind has a belief structure of yes's and no's, where do all the maybe's fit?

I think my opinion is quite short.

What changes my mind is supported evidence that what I think is not correct. If this evidence can be demonstrated to me, or at very least stated by a respectable, reliable person, then my mind will be changed to fit with what seems to be the reality of the subject.

[edit on 26-6-2010 by Hitotsumami]

Critical Thinking is often Observatory. A change in direction can be either wise, or foolhardy.

If the original idea is not scraped, then you need a new approach.

If contradictions present themselves, then you need better methods.

DO NOT go into the New Age Mythos, whereas the 'onlooker' plays "Mind Games", thinking it will get done.

This is often interpreted as empty-mindedness.

You need to define the reason for this "change". Necessity, Reasoned, or 'directed' by others' with greater influence.

Sometimes, you're not in control. This can, at times, be final, and very, very dangerous.