Consciousness Quote by David Bohm
““Thought has produced tremendous effects outwardly. And, as we'll discuss further on, it produces tremendous effects inwardly in each person. Yet the general tacit assumption in thought is that it's just telling you the way things are and that is not doing anything—that 'you' are inside there, deciding what to do with the information. But I want to say that you don't decide what to do with the information. The information takes over. It runs you. Thought runs you. Thought, however, gives the false information that you are running it, that you are the one who controls thought, whereas actually thought is the one which controls each one of us. Until thought is understood—better yet, more than understood, perceived—it will actually control us; but it will create the impression that it is our servant, that it is just doing what we want it to do. That's the difficulty. Thought is participating and then saying it's not participating. But it is taking part in everything. Fragmentation is a particular case of that. Thought is creating divisions out of itself and then saying that they are there naturally.””
About This Quote
Source Lecture: 1973, “Thought and Reality” series, David Bohm discussing nature of thought
Thought appears to be a tool but actually governs us, creating illusion of control and division
In simple terms: Thought controls us, not the other way around
Awareness of thought’s influence can reduce its unconscious domination
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- meditation practice
- decision making
- creative brainstorming
- conflict resolution
- personal growth
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you truly observe thought without being influenced by it?
- How can we cultivate thought that serves rather than dominates?
The view may underplay conscious agency and the role of intentional practice in shaping thought