Do we have control over our thoughts?

Question: Do we have control over our thoughts!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Thought are only objects of the mind!. Thoughts become powerful only if we let!.

For example, when we think some thing unwholesome, we can be aware of that to be unwholesome and we can abandon that thought then and there!.

Here we had the power to abandon a thought!.
So we have control over our thoughts!.
When we have scattered mind states it seems as we can never be in control of our thoughts, but this is not so!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes, we have control over our thoughts since we only think what we think based on what we are currently sensing threw sense data experience!.

That is, I am now thinking about this question merely because I clicked on it because I saw it and found it interesting!. Hence I made myself think about it!.

But this example may only apply to conscious thoughts!. As for unconscious thoughts, I don't think we can since those thoughts come from the unconscious, that which cannot be consciously controlled!. So my final answer is yes we can sometimes!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes we can train ourselves to be disciplined and control our thoughts!. We can create control and mastery of every thought!. But of course not everyone does this, many people have no plan on a daily basis or fundamental beliefs!. And they end up allowing other sources to guide their thoughts / moods!. But yes with effort we can be in total control!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes!. We do!. The analogy is a conversation!. You have control over what you say to me, how you say it and what you say!.

Thinking is only an internal conversation!. The challenge is that most humans dislike being alone and refuse to shut up once in a while!.

In the exactly the same way that you can stop talking to me, you can stop talking to your 'self'!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

why not if you can choose to go left or right how are you not controlling your thoughts!?Free will is essentially this process !.!.!.choice choose to satisfy your self choose to satisfy the good of all!!If you choose to always benefit the greater common good of all you will train your self to be aware of your surroundings aware of the universe that is you and all around you!! It is when you deviate from you purpose that you become corrupt and drawn from your goals!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No we don't!. Or more precisely!.!.!. no I don't!. I agree that thinking is the action of our mind like beating is the action of our heart!. What I DO think we can develop control over is whether or not we BELIEVE what the mind thinks!.

First you have to see that the mind does what it does and it's not personal, it's the effect of genetics and every experience you've had up to now!.
Then you can learn to watch it do what it does!. You'll notice patterns of thinking!. (If you want help finding some of your patterned thinking have a look at the Enneagram http://www!.eclecticenergies!.com/enneagra!.!.!.
Then you can develop an inquiry practice where you question your thoughts (there are several, my favorite is http://www!.thework!.com )
As far as I can tell the mind will continue to think after its patterns as long as I'm alive!.!.!. when I disidentify from the content of my thinking!.!.!. that is when I see that my thinking is something and that I am something else entirely!.!.!. I can choose to believe what I think, OR if believing what I think doesn't serve me (that is when believing what I think feels painful) I can just not believe it (actually it's a little more complicated than that!.!.!. but I really don't know how to put it into words yet)!.
The fabulous thing about questioning my thoughts is that since action is often born from believing thoughts!.!.!. I find that when I question my stressful thoughts I'm kinder in general!. And I like that!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yeah, try to meditate without having a single thought!. You learn very quickly you cannot control them, only give them energy by giving them attention!. Thinking is a function of the brain like beating is a function of the heart!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Our thoughts are mostly influenced by our environment around us!. Do we control them!? Yes to a degree we do, and some can go steps beyond that but most people's thoughts are warped by the thoughts and opinions of those around them!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No, I do not!. I do try and practice meditation from time to time!. I read a quote from Buddha that said trying to control your mind is like trying to quiet a room full of monkeys!. It's not going to happen!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Our thoughts are reality filtered through our individual experiences!. So maybe, depending on how strong one's will power is!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

not all of our thoughts!.!.!.!.but we truly can't help what we think!.!.!.!.for example if you think someone's sweater is ugly when you see it, you really can't control thatWww@QuestionHome@Com

Are thoughts are not controllable but the actions we take from them are totally in our power!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes, and if we don't control our thoughts then we are going to end up in the loony bin!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Absolutely!. If you do not like what you are thinking, think of something better and change your mind!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Of course we have control over our thoughts!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

no, we don't!. We think we do, but just ask someone to stop thinking for just a minute!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com