Thoughts

Witnessing Thoughts is not difficult provided one is sincere and regular in the practice. Before discussing sutra's to Witness thoughts, let's discuss some true facts about our thoughts.

1. No thought is ours. All thought comes from outside. It is another matter that we cling to those thoughts or ideas and end up wasting our life in pursuing them.
   
   
2. 99% of our thinking is repeated. Very rarely we think some thing new.
   
   
3. Thinking can't be stopped. But Meditation is one way to go beyond thinking state.
   
   
4. Our thoughts are fed on our energy and that drain us. Less one thinks more peaceful, calm and more energy one has.

How to Witness thoughts

1. Witnessing Thoughts means we don't need to identify with any thoughts. When ever any thought comes - Don't involve yourself with it. Don't condemn it, Don't Judge it. Don't Analyze it and Don't give your analysis on it. Just let them come and Go.
   
   
2. Let the thoughts come. If you just let them come then you will see they will leave on their own. Your attitude should be like that of a person who is standing on a traffic signal and seeing a vehicle coming and going. But if that person tries to stop any vehicle then accident can happen. Similarly if we try to stop thinking or we get involve with any thought, then we have gone offtrack. Just Stay Aloof from the thoughts. These thoughts and ideas are not yours.
   
   
3. It's easier to witness/see the thoughts which are Good. But when ever any negative or moralistic thought comes we suddenly becomes involve "how can such a thought come to me". It's OK. Stay Calm, relaxation is very important in Meditation. Learn the art to stay relax in day to day living.
   
   
4. Don't Choose Thoughts or Divide them. e.g. This is a Good thought and that is Bad thought. Understand that All are thoughts and they have come on their own and they will leave on their own. Your involvement with the thoughts are not required and not essential.
   
   
5. If you identify with a thought and you realize it then Immediately starts witnessing them again. Don't repent or blame yourself. Blaming needs your involvement via another thought process.
   
   
6. Be Regular in your practice. It may sound like a Buddhist teachings. But more one watches the Thoughts, better he becomes in the art of Witnessing. Osho has said "To become more aware, One has to become more Aware". Awareness leads to Awareness. So be sincere and practice it when ever you have time.
   
   
7. If you stop interfering or involving with a particular type of thought then slowly it will stop coming to you.

All depends upon your attitude. If one is Sincere then it is not so difficult but it needs commitment from your end.