--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some people have a mistaken idea that all…" description: "\"Some people have a mistaken idea that all thoughts disappear through meditation and we enter a state of blankness. There certainly are times of great t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/802/sharon-salzberg-562_blame_some-people-have-a-mistaken-idea-that-al_2160069.png" --- # Some people have a mistaken idea that all thoughts… ![“Some people have a mistaken idea that all thoughts disappear through meditation and we enter a state of blankness. There certainly are times of great tranquility when concentration is strong and we have few, if any, thoughts. But other times, we can be flooded with memories, plans or random…” quote by Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/802/sharon-salzberg-562_blame_some-people-have-a-mistaken-idea-that-al_2160069.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/802/sharon-salzberg-562_blame_some-people-have-a-mistaken-idea-that-al_2160069.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/802/sharon-salzberg-562_blame_some-people-have-a-mistaken-idea-that-al_2160069.png) > “Some people have a mistaken idea that all thoughts disappear through meditation and we enter a state of blankness. There certainly are times of great tranquility when concentration is strong and we have few, if any, thoughts. But other times, we can be flooded with memories, plans or random thinking. It's important not to blame yourself.” [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Meditation does not erase thoughts; it varies between calm focus and mental chatter, and self‑blame is unhelpful. **In simple terms:** Meditation brings both quiet and mental activity; don’t fault yourself. Key Takeaway Accept the mind’s flow without judgment. Themes mindfulness self‑compassion mental health Mood calm reflective Type advice mindful When to use this quote - daily meditation - stressful work - therapy sessions Key Concepts non‑dual awareness thought observation Questions to Reflect On - How can you gently guide a busy mind back to focus? - What practices help you notice thoughts without judgment? A Different Perspective Mind wandering can distract from deep focus if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blankness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blankness/) [Concentration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concentration/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts/) [Tranquility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tranquility/) ## Related quotes > [The 7 factors of enlightenment: mindfullness, investigation of mental objects, energy, joy, tranquility, concentration and equanimity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/the-7-factors-of-enlightenment-mindfullness-investigation-of-mental/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [Good thoughts keep off bad thoughts. They must themselves disappear before the state of realization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/good-thoughts-keep-off-bad-thoughts-they-must-themselves-disappear/) [Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/) > [Meditation means cleansing the mirror, dropping thoughts, letting thoughts disappear, attaining to moments when thinking ceases. And those are the most blissful moments in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/meditation-means-cleansing-the-mirror-dropping-thoughts-letting/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [There is no greater joy for me than looking at the sky on a clear night with an attention so concentrated that all my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/there-is-no-greater-joy-for-me-than-looking-at-the-sky-on-a-clear/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [“Did you ever watch a smoke ring and how it appears? That’s like our thoughts. They disappear in the same way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/did-you-ever-watch-a-smoke-ring-and-how-it-appears-that-s-like-our/) [Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/) > [The science of meditation: it brings you to the present, it brings you to this moment. The past is a thought; it disappears when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/the-science-of-meditation-it-brings-you-to-the-present-it-brings-you/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I believe that when the body is strong, the mind thinks strong thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-believe-that-when-the-body-is-strong-the-mind-thinks-strong-thoughts/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [Through the years, I have combined meditation, action, and the Iron into a single strength. I believe that when the body is strong, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/through-the-years-i-have-combined-meditation-action-and-the-iron-into/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [The power in my legs, the power in my hands is not as strong. As my thoughts and my voice will always be stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kari-parrish/the-power-in-my-legs-the-power-in-my-hands-is-not-as-strong-as-my/) Kari Parrish > [Having concrete, strong thoughts is very important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nayeon/having-concrete-strong-thoughts-is-very-important/) [Nayeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nayeon/) > [“Strong thoughts are accompanied by great emotions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/strong-thoughts-are-accompanied-by-great-emotions/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [I do have some very strong thoughts on Glenn Simpson, who is one of the founders of Fusion GPS, based on his conduct in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-browder/i-do-have-some-very-strong-thoughts-on-glenn-simpson-who-is-one-of/) [Bill Browder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-browder/) > [You are only as strong as the thoughts that frequently dwell in your mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmond-mbiaka/you-are-only-as-strong-as-the-thoughts-that-frequently-dwell-in-your/) Edmond Mbiaka > [In them was not the savage blankness of the reptile species. Instead there was something far worse - burning, unquenchable rage mixed with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitley-strieber/in-them-was-not-the-savage-blankness-of-the-reptile-species-instead/) [Whitley Strieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitley-strieber/) > [It seemed to me the basic definition of mental illness, this persistent, painful inability to simply be with someone else. It might be lifelong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-thompson/it-seemed-to-me-the-basic-definition-of-mental-illness-this/) [Tracy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-thompson/) ## More by Sharon Salzberg > [Some things hurt, you know, and there's pain. But we magnify the suffering of it often, I think, by our reactions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/some-things-hurt-you-know-and-there-s-pain-but-we-magnify-the/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“How we traverse the space between us when conflict arises has a profound effect on the health and longevity of our relationships.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/how-we-traverse-the-space-between-us-when-conflict-arises-has-a/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Even when we do our very best to treat those close to us with utmost respect and understanding, conflict happens. That’s life. That’s human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/even-when-we-do-our-very-best-to-treat-those-close-to-us-with-utmost/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Loving ourselves calls us to give up the illusion that we can control everything and focuses us on building our inner resource of resilience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/loving-ourselves-calls-us-to-give-up-the-illusion-that-we-can-control/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [In order to do anything about the suffering of the world we must have the strength to face it without turning away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/in-order-to-do-anything-about-the-suffering-of-the-world-we-must-have/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“When we believe a wounding story, our whole world is diminished.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-believe-a-wounding-story-our-whole-world-is-diminished/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“The paradigm for our relationships is formed from our earliest experiences and is actually hardwired into our neurological and emotional network.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/the-paradigm-for-our-relationships-is-formed-from-our-earliest/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Vulnerability in the face of constant change is what we share, whatever our present condition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/vulnerability-in-the-face-of-constant-change-is-what-we-share/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Asking questions is an opportunity for creativity and personal expression, both for the person asking and the person answering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/asking-questions-is-an-opportunity-for-creativity-and-personal/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Compassion isn't morose; it's something replenishing and opening; that's why it makes us happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/compassion-isn-t-morose-it-s-something-replenishing-and-opening-that/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“When we open our hearts to the breadth of our experiences, we learn to tune into our needs, unique perceptions, thoughts & feelings”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-open-our-hearts-to-the-breadth-of-our-experiences-we-learn-to/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“As we explore new ways of loving and being loved by others, we need to equip ourselves with open, pliant minds; we need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/as-we-explore-new-ways-of-loving-and-being-loved-by-others-we-need-to/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Even in the midst of devastation, something within us always points the way to freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/even-in-the-midst-of-devastation-something-within-us-always-points/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“It's important to investigate the nature of anger because it is such a powerful energy and can be so destructive. When we can face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/it-s-important-to-investigate-the-nature-of-anger-because-it-is-such/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“When we contemplate the miracle of embodied life, we begin to partner with our bodies in a kinder way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-contemplate-the-miracle-of-embodied-life-we-begin-to-partner/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) [Explore all 473 Sharon Salzberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) ## More Blame quotes > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [Me mum used to always have the radio on - even now she has it on in every room. Me girlfriend sort of blames…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/me-mum-used-to-always-have-the-radio-on-even-now-she-has-it-on-in/) [Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/) > [I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-the-great/i-like-to-praise-and-reward-loudly-to-blame-quietly/) [Catherine the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-the-great/) > [Some of the things that I said I hated to say, but blame yourself mother fucker you made it this way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jedi-mind-tricks/some-of-the-things-that-i-said-i-hated-to-say-but-blame-yourself/) [Jedi Mind Tricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jedi-mind-tricks/) > [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [“In places where government priorities and market imperatives create a world so capricious that to help a neighbor is to risk your ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-boo/in-places-where-government-priorities-and-market-imperatives-create-a/) [Katherine Boo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-boo/) > [“Stop Blaming Others For Your Own Actions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-g-roldan/stop-blaming-others-for-your-own-actions/) [Alexis G. Roldan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-g-roldan/) > [We know from this book entitled... What is it? Surrendered? Succumbed? I can never remember the title perform. And we learn from this book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/we-know-from-this-book-entitled-what-is-it-surrendered-succumbed-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I don't blame anyone .. I did this to myself .. It's my fault .. Everything is my FAULT ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nurnizz95/i-don-t-blame-anyone-i-did-this-to-myself-it-s-my-fault-everything-is/) Nurnizz95 > [“They would congratulate themselves every morning on keeping their integrity, and blame themselves each night for that missed opportunity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/they-would-congratulate-themselves-every-morning-on-keeping-their/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [I try to live my life where I end up at a point where I have no regrets. So I try to choose the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-aronofsky/i-try-to-live-my-life-where-i-end-up-at-a-point-where-i-have-no/) [Darren Aronofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-aronofsky/) > [How come you don't feel that magic in the air? I guess I knew you'll never be there. I guess I knew you never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/how-come-you-don-t-feel-that-magic-in-the-air-i-guess-i-knew-you-ll/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am down mentally. I can't understand how it happened and who is to blame? I don't know why the ground was rolled before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yeasin-khan/i-am-down-mentally-i-can-t-understand-how-it-happened-and-who-is-to/) Yeasin Khan > [A refusal to admit one's mistake & not accepting responsibility for that mistake by blaming everyone else, is d beginning of one's decline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-refusal-to-admit-one-s-mistake-not-accepting-responsibility-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Listen, the guy was not created by coverage from MSNBC and CNN. If you want to blame us for making Donald Trump president because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-tur/listen-the-guy-was-not-created-by-coverage-from-msnbc-and-cnn-if-you/) [Katy Tur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-tur/) Browse all 3,779 Blame quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Some people have a mistaken idea that all thoughts disappear through meditation and we enter a state of blankness. There certainly are times of great tranquility when concentration is strong and we have few, if any, thoughts. But other times, we can be flooded with memories, plans or random thinking. 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