The Feeling of Thinking

I can totally relate, and really enjoy the perspective on personal growth you're sharing here. I look forward to reading more!

How wonderfully motivating! Thanks for being you, James. I'm already a fan after only two blog posts and a quick perusal of your website. You set an awesome example! Can't wait for more!

Interesting blog you got here. I'd like to read a bit more about that topic.

I absolutely love this. I am coming out of a depression which lasted for roughly 3 years. Only about a month ago, I stayed up in my room with my computer and just let myself think. After going back to mindfulness meditation and then into just "thinking," I really feel like I know what "Feeling of Thinking" would be about. It's really a way out of my depression. Paying attention to my feelings about thoughts, backtracking to the thought that felt was adequate for the moment, really "feeling" my way through my thoughts, and it's been a breakthrough. It's not exactly the same as learning for educational puposes... more like re-learning how to function, at times really feeling "self-actualized," which I really have come to think of self-actualization in terms of thinking: accepting where you're at, using the adequate thoughts at your disposal, and "feeling" where you've over-stretched yourself. Kind of like "trusting your instincts," which I think is little more helpful when you begin at ground zero ( like depression). The thoughts that just "feel" accurate and branching out from them seems to be a key. Also, remembering what I've learned has always been an intense anxiety issue. However, you remember things that are emotional and meaningful to you, so once you've hit that accurate, secure, & and maybe sometimes just adequate thought, you don't need to worry about forgetting it, most like it will stick with you. And don't get down if you do forget it, because the truth of who/what you are will keep resurfacing if you give yourself enough time and patience (space) to do so. I've also benefited from reading about the characteristics of a self-actualized person; it's a good way to stay grounded and have a "vision" of where you want your thoughts to go.
If you can't seem to reach a branching point, I might try mindfulness mediation to get into some stillness, where you then might be better able to start and get into a groove. But like anything, "too much of anything, is too much," I truly believe the same about mindfulness. Just listen to yourself ;-)