The Choice of Joy: Day 20, Thoughts Looking for a Thinker

 At the likely risk that I am interpreting out of context, I like the idea of “thoughts in search of a thinker.”

In James S. Grotstein’s article in The International Journal of Psychoanalysis (2004. 85:1081-1101) entitled “The seventh servant: The implications of a truth drive in Bion’s theory of ‘O’”, Grotstein refers to psychoanalyst Wilfred R. Bion’s published works.  At one point in his article, Grotstein submits: “Bion speaks of ‘thoughts in search of a thinker’ seeking a thinker to think them (1980, p.18).”

Imagine, thoughts scurrying around the universe in search of a living neurological receptors!

Grotstein further postulates that there is a “truth drive” in each of us.  Would this be that neurological receptor ready to accept that thought that is searching for its thinker?  I am sure my psychiatrist friend is rolling his eyes at my uneducated surmises on both Grotstein and Bion. 

Yet German chemist Friedrich August Kekulé came up with the benzene molecular structure after experiencing a daydream in which a snake held its tail in its mouth.  Was the thought of the Benzene structure looking for a thinker?  Kekulé, who had spent years studying the nature of benzene, was a qualified receptor who could translate the circular snake image into modern, useful language.

Consider the possibilities!

What if each of us opened our consciousness to communications with our truth instinct and trusted the images we received?  It could turn civilization on its head.  Democrats could become Republicans, and Republicans, Democrats.  Dictators transform into philanthropists.  Sarah Palin apologizes.  Obama admits to his inner Progressive.  Oprah finally loses weight and keeps it off.  Scientists master cures for cancer.  The “Christian Right,” instead of clamoring, adopts Eastern meditation.  The PBS News Hour exceeds Fox News in viewer ratings.

I feel the Joy at just imagining.