I read this thread early this morning and thought about it off and on throughout the day. I decided to come back and comment.
I clicked on the thread because I do daily focus sessions where I concentrate on keeping my mind completely clear. I just focus on a blue ball or my breathing. I do this about 40" a day.
There are forms of this called meditation. I don't call it that because of religious connotations and I am not religious. It's a way of training your mind to not let clutter rule it. There are many advantages, such as better emotional outlook, reduced stress, better physical health, etc. These are well documented through scientific studies and have been for a long time.
This article and the fact that there are people who do this--well, it horrified me. I can't even imagine thinking something like that. It's so, so disturbing.
In focus discussions, it is often said "you are not your thoughts," and that is repeated in this article.
I do a lot of reading on the topic on focused thinking, but have never read anything on this particular and peculiar (at least to me) intrusive thought. Prior to this, my idea of an intrusive thought was "I have to clean up the dishes," or "I need to get the car washed," and that sort of thing. Real humdrum stuff compared to this.
I am having trouble determining where such thoughts come from. And why so malicious?
I don't mean to make myself out to be a pristine person. I think horrible thoughts under certain circumstances, like in the grocery store if someone is blocking my way. I will think about yelling "move!" or shoving their cart out of the way. I don't do this, of course. But I do sometimes think less civilized thoughts. But that is not the same as what's discussed in this article. Those thoughts are horrific.
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