Content of mind... what is the measurement of normality.

[Yisacrockedletter]

Hi,
Most of my life before I discovered the Dharma was unskilful, which I understand causes the conditions of a lot of my wild and intrusive thoughts. Learning that thoughts rise and fall according to conditions I have learned to live with them. Compared to the way my mind was , I can see progress, although not as much as I would like. Sometimes when I get quite frustrated when nobody ever really elobrates on the actual content. I'm not looking for in-depth step by step account of their thoughts, but it does lead me to wonder if I'm actually making any progress as I don't have a working reference from other people. Can anyone help me with. Letures or videos of someone in any tradition speaking about calming down the wild thoughts and developing the ability to let thoughts go without getting upset with their content. Thanks

[robertk]

For insight , as you allude to, the key is seeing into conditionality.
So I think content is not the main issue because if understanding of conditions and anatta is growing there will be detachment from the idea of mind as something under our control.

And of course content varies depending on many factors - read Dhamma books all day and it is inevitable that the thoughts will include that. Watch porn and ideas about that will feature.

[Jack19990101]

yeah agree.

I think it is a slow process, taking a long time for effect to be obvious.
The state you are looking for, is state of remorse free
which is vicinity of 2nd path.
Still, if we don't practice, this habit will go on forever.

No effect doesn't mean much yet. The only danger is to have given up due to that.

[pegembara]

Hi,
Most of my life before I discovered the Dharma was unskilful, which I understand causes the conditions of a lot of my wild and intrusive thoughts. Learning that thoughts rise and fall according to conditions I have learned to live with them. Compared to the way my mind was , I can see progress, although not as much as I would like. Sometimes when I get quite frustrated when nobody ever really elobrates on the actual content. I'm not looking for in-depth step by step account of their thoughts, but it does lead me to wonder if I'm actually making any progress as I don't have a working reference from other people. Can anyone help me with. Letures or videos of someone in any tradition speaking about calming down the wild thoughts and developing the ability to let thoughts go without getting upset with their content. Thanks

You can do that by placing your attention on your bodily sensations. It's an exercise in anchoring your mind on the body instead of letting it run wild.
Here is a good simile for this-

"'Tethered to a stout post or pillar,' monks, denotes mindfulness as to body. Therefore, monks, this is how you must train yourselves: 'We shall practice mindfulness as to body, develop it, make it our vehicle, our dwelling-place, our resort, we will build it up and undertake it thoroughly.' This, monks, is how you must train yourselves."

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .wlsh.html