Consciousness Quote by David Bohm
““It is worth repeating what I've said the last few years—that in our language we have a distinction between 'thinking' and 'thought'. 'Thinking' implies the present tense—some activity going on which may include critical sensitivity to what can go wrong. Also there may be new ideas, and perhaps occasionally perception of some kind inside. 'Thought' is the past participle of that. We have the idea that after we have been thinking something, it just evaporates. But thinking doesn't disappear. It goes somehow into the brain and leaves something—a trace—which becomes thought. And thought then acts automatically.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Wholeness and the Implicate Order, David Bohm, 1980
Thinking is active, present‑moment mental work that leaves a trace; thought is the stored trace that can act automatically later.
In simple terms: Thinking creates lasting mental traces that become thought.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and capture the value of ongoing mental activity.
Themes
cognition
memory
awareness
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- research
- creative problem solving
- learning
- decision making
Key Concepts
Neuroscience
philosophy of mind
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you preserve the insights from your thinking?
- What systems help turn thinking into lasting thought?
A Different Perspective
Thoughts may fade if not recorded, limiting their later influence.
![“The system [of thought] doesn't stay with the difficult problem that produces unpleasant feelings. It's conditioned somehow to move as fast as it can toward more pleasant feelings, without actually facing the thing that's making the unpleasant feeling.” quote by David Bohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e2a/david-bohm-4805_difficult_the-system-of-thought-doesn-t-stay-with_8291.jpg)
