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Then there is the further question of what is the relationship of thinking to reality. As careful attention shows, thought itself is in an actual process of movement. That is to say, one can feel a sense of flow in the stream of consciousness not dissimilar to the sense of flow in the movement of matter in general. May not thought itself thus be a part of reality as a whole? But then, what could it mean for one part of reality to 'know' another, and to what extent would this be possible?

David Bohm#7

ThinkingRealityConsciousnessMovement

About this quote

What does it mean?
Thinking is a process of movement similar to matter, raising questions about how parts of reality can know other parts.
In plain terms
Thought moves like matter, making us wonder how one part of reality knows another.
What can you take from it?
Consider thought as an integral part of reality's movement.

Where it applies

  • meditation
  • philosophical inquiry
  • introspection

Putting it to work

  • observe thought flow
  • explore consciousness

Questions to consider

  • Is thought part of reality's flow?
  • How does reality know itself?

Another view

Thought may not be physically identical to matter movement.

More from David Bohm

  1. I would say that in my scientific and philosophical work, my main concern has been with understanding the nature of reality in general and of consciousness in …

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  2. Man's general way of thinking of the totality, i.e. his general world view, is crucial for overall order of the human mind itself. If he thinks of the totality…

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. We probed into the nature of space and time, and of the universal, both with regard to external nature and with regard to mind. But then, we went on to conside…

    Permalink to quote #5

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