Think about nothing.

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Some people say this is impossible. Some say it's quite possible.What do YOU say?

As lame as this may sound, ive actually tried. I always think about not thinking about anything, or wonder how long ive been thinking about not thinking about anything.

Not possible. When I'm trying not to think about anything, I'm thinking about not thinking about anything.

I sometimes think about nothing when I'm in the right state of mind and I just sit down and relax for a minute. I can't purposely make myself think of absolutely nothing since that takes focus on something, or at least I haven't trained myself to do that, but I believe it's possible. Yoga does just that, clearing your mind of all thoughts so as to completely relax. It's just not something that comes naturally since the concious mind is used to going over information in the mind constantly. That's my opinion.

I don't think I can think about nothing. I've actually tried before. I'll space out but I'm still thinking about something.

Now that I think about it, I often never think. What parents have always said is true; TV does rot the mind. I was just sitting on my bed watching That 70's Show, and suddenly my brain turned on and I realized that the whole time I had been watching TV, I hadn't been thinking about anything at all, not even the show. My mind wasn't functioning at all. It's amazing I didn't die from all my bodily functions stopping.

The problem with watching TV is that you continually process information rather than resting your mind completely, but you don't allow your mind to go over anything useful. That's putting it harshly though, as watching TV is generally relaxing (yet stimulating).

I think that it is impossible since your mind is supposed to be going back on information and memory non stop. unless untill you die, then you have eternity to think of nothinhg

Well, I do it. For me, it's pretty easy... You don't TRY to force it... I dunno how to explain it.

You all are fucking idiotsOf course you can't make yourself think about nothing ... if you think about thinking nothing, you are thinking about something...Thinking about nothing is called zoning out

I think the yoga folks call it something else.

I've been practicing meditation for about 7 years now and although I can't yet hold it for very long I can reach "Samadhi", a state where my conscious mind is completely empty.

On a good day, I can maintain that state for about 60 seconds. Most often it's around about 10-20 seconds. It's hard to explain but when you finally achieve it (usually this takes at least 2-3 years of practice but for some people it comes much more easily) you'll recognise it immediately on some unconscious level.

Unless you've tried meditation, you might not understand what I mean - as I said, it's not something that I can put easily into words.

Even if you can't explain the feeling of it, what does it feel like afterwards? I'm just interested since I've been contemplating taking Yoga for a while now.

Well, the instant you snap back, you know immediately that you've lost the tranquility that you were feeling just a few seconds beforehand but I really can't put it into words. Anybody who's experienced it will know what I mean but explaining it is close to impossible.

When you achieve this state, you are still aware (on some level) of everything that's going on around you. In fact many people report that they become 'super-aware' although I've never noticed this particularly. The instant you move out of this state, you become consciously aware of the position in which you're sitting, the fact that your muscles are relaxed, the myriad tiny noises all around you and the thoughts that are rushing through your mind.

I really can't come up with any other way of describing it without descending into the quasi-mystical crap that I detest so much :smile: All I can really say is that it's a great feeling...even if (like me) you can only hold it for a few seconds at a time.

If it's something in which you're genuinely interested then definitely try it. It's worth it, when you first experience that moment of samadhi although the first time you'll probably be so excited that you've managed it that you'll snap out of it instantaneously. If you're lucky, you'll be one of those naturals who manages it after just a few attempts - for me it took about 2 years I think and some people just never achieve it no matter how many years they practice.

"When you achieve this state, you are still aware (on some level) of everything that's going on around you."Uhm, you do know this thread is thinking about nothing? If you think about nothing, but you're still aware of your surroundings... catch my draft?Idiot.

Hmmmm ever seen Sinefield? Its a show about nothig, so maybe to think abut nothing you really jsut hae to think self indulgent bullshit thoughts?Idiot, I like that I debated for a minute if it was your signature, Maybe it should be, its fucking great, I never use that word but after seeing it written here like that, I think I underated it Im going ot begin using it in conversation now. I only hope i can use it the way it sounded in my head when I read it on your post.

I told you you probably wouldn't understand it. The whole point is that you're not thinking. Your mind is as completely empty as it's ever possible for a mind to be. The awareness exists outside your mind (and yes, I'm aware that I'm now drifting into the quasi-mystical crap that I hate).Even though I accept that it's my explanation that's flawed, rather than your understanding, I none-the-less feel compelled to say: Moron