Thought Boundaries: The Invisible Limits of the Mind
In our daily thinking, we encounter thought boundaries that we are often unaware of. These boundaries do not arise externally but are a projection of the mind itself. But where do these limitations come from, and how do they influence our worldview?
The Origin of Thought Boundaries in the Mind
The question of where boundaries originate leads us to the core of consciousness. The mind is inherently limited, even though it is often perceived as boundless. This becomes evident in the idea of the infinite universe, which is frequently seen as a symbol of endless possibilities. However, the delineation of things does not result from external circumstances but rather from the way the mind interprets the world.
Thought boundaries are not perceivable because the mind always feels complete in its current perception. Nonetheless, they exist and shape our understanding of reality.
The Seven Principles of Thought Limitation
The limitations of thinking can be explained through seven key principles:
1. Limited Intelligence: Individual cognitive abilities set natural boundaries. Even geniuses like Schopenhauer were often misunderstood by their contemporaries.
2. Cognitive Dissonance: Contradictions in thinking are often masked by self-justifications or vague terms such as “subtle matter.”
3. False Assumptions: Philosophical models like materialism suggest unlimited thinking, which does not actually exist.
4. Singular Thought: A thought can only focus on one aspect at a time, which excludes other perspectives.
5. Linear Thinking: Thinking proceeds in a logical sequence, as seen in physics or mathematics, which constrains freedom.
6. Psychological Conditionality: The universe reflects the psychological conditions of consciousness and is therefore also limited.
7. Moment-Dependency: Everything that is thought is tied to the present moment and remains a projection of the mind.
The Universe as a Mirror of Consciousness
The limitations of the universe are often misunderstood because it is assumed to be infinite. In reality, the universe is a projection of the mind and is just as limited as the mind itself. The term “everything” always refers to what is present in the moment of thought. The mind, due to its structure, cannot transcend its own thought boundaries.
The psychological and material world are inseparably connected. When we observe the universe, we see the conditions of consciousness—and vice versa. Just as one must understand the basics of arithmetic to solve complex integrals in mathematics, thinking can only proceed in coherent, limited paths.
Immateriality and the limitations of the mind contrast with materialistic worldviews that consider the mind solely as a function of the brain. Instead, it becomes evident that our thinking is not determined solely by physical structures but also by the projections of our own consciousness.