@Tfmonkey TFM: Pardon my ignorance. So, if our thoughts are not things and are independent of us, then which part of us is influenced by these thoughts? Which part [of us] manifests emotions our thoughts conjure up? Anger, happiness, sadness, longing? Does it make sense to not allow ourselves to feel these emotions, since they are triggered by thoughts?
I hope I worded that question correctly.
@sardonicsmile you choose to be influenced. You can hold onto a thought and be influenced by it or you can dismiss it and let it fade away.
This is why motivational speakers make a lot of money. They create thoughts in people's minds that they want to influence them.
Marketing creates thoughts that you can choose to allow to influence you or not.