-- Plotinus
Thought is obviously very useful. At least we think it is! But what about consciousness beyond thought, consciousness without an object? In most spiritual traditions it is the transcendence of thought, not the refinement of thought, that is seen as the highest stage of human development.
Why? I think a lot of it has to do with the desire-thought link that Plotinus observes. All thought is rooted in desire, and every desire is divisive. Desire divides the world into what is versus what you want it to be. In that primal division Unity is lost, dissension arises, and people holding competing desires are pitted against one another.
The Buddha, as well as many other spiritual teachers, observed that life is much smoother once you give up desire. Acceptance of what is leads to peace of mind. And that peace is a calm, smooth, mental lake without tumultuous ripples of thought to disturb it.
So, should we all walk around like thoughtless zombies? Hardly. There is a time and place for thought, but the time is not 24/7 and the place is not everywhere. Don't worry, you won't lose your capacity to think if you succeed in spending time in a desireless, thought-free state. In fact, you will probably find that your thinking is both sharper and deeper if you take regular cognitive vacations.
Action that grows out of a desireless state is action that works for the benefit of all and is at harmony with the Universe. It proceeds spontaneously from a deep intuitive level rather than being a product of the internal war of thought and emotion. And as such, it produces better results.
Releasing desire automatically reduces thought. You observe, you perceive, but you feel no need to ruminate about what is or change it to work for your personal benefit. Today try living in the space between thoughts, in the moments devoid of desire. Try it and see what happens.
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