How to Develop and Control the Mind Without the Self

[Goofaholix]

I understand. You mean that thoughts cannot be given absolute control, which would allow them to be called "mine" and "self". I agree, you can call it "significant influence". In general, we can have a significant influence on thoughts as we practice. Ok?

The untrained mind is driven by instinct, impulse, and habit, significant influence is not possible. This is why we practice which trains the mind to see clearly how the mind works, then we have the opportunity for significant influence as you say.

[Konstantin Sol]

We need to discuss in more detail

So, the mind has the ability to follow or not follow thoughts due to choice (will). In addition, he can direct his attention at will, to the thought he needs.

Dhammawuddho Thera. Right Thoughts should also be cultivated to avoid unwholesome thoughts that often arise - for example, thoughts of malice, harm, greed. Right Views and Right Thoughts begin to counteract lust, anger, ignorance - the three vicious roots. To keep these three roots in check, you need to constantly observe your own thoughts and know the real motives that underlie our speech and our actions

The person decides to practice and follows. Thoughts arise and disappear according to cause and effect. At first, a person does not have time to influence them, since they are controlled by instinct, impulse and habit. But through mindfulness training, a person has the opportunity to influence thoughts (to follow or not) more and more. As you practice, this opportunity becomes more and more apparent.

Dhammawuddho Thera. Knowing any sensible object, feeling automatically arises. Up to this point, we have no control, but starting from here, we can decide for ourselves how we should react. This is where the will comes into play and kamma (intentional action) is created.

In the same way, we attach our mind to one single object of meditation instead of allowing the mind to aspire to the objects of the six senses. Over time, it will establish itself on the object of meditation.

Over time, the mind reaches a state where it can concentrate on any thought for an arbitrarily long time or get rid of an unnecessary thought. It achieves a significant influence on thoughts. And becomes a master.to tame the mind and gain significant influence over it.

The Noble Eightfold Path
The Way to the End of Suffering
by Bhikkhu Bodhi
By applying these five methods with skill and discretion, the Buddha says, one becomes a master of all the pathways of thought. One is no longer the subject of the mind but its master. Whatever thought one wants to think, that one will think. Whatever thought one does not want to think, that one will not think. Even if unwholesome thoughts occasionally arise, one can dispel them immediately, just as quickly as a red-hot pan will turn to steam a few chance drops of water.

Therefore, at the beginning of practice, the influence on the mind is weak. But it IS, thanks to free will (choice).

We can influence the process, the teaching of the Buddha would be pointless if that were not the case.
Causes and conditions lead to what we experience but we have a degree of choice in how we react, and we can create conditions for better choices in future.
Causes and conditions dictate which cards you are dealt but you can choose how to play your hand, and learn to play our hand better in future.

It increases over time.
OK?