Thought – In Buddhism

By Henri Van Zeyst

Thought is always dominating, because it is forever in search of security. This search for what is not, constitutes its unceasing movement, which does not allow it to see what is. Intelligence, on the other hand, wants to see and understand ; and thus it does not move away: its interest is not in searching, but in seeing; hence it is quiet, does not want domination, because it is not interested in security in the future; it finds all it needs in understanding, not in possessing.

Thus, thought seeks security; but intelligence is secure. Whenever there is searching, there is also activity which leads to conquest. And so it happens that thought dominates intelligence. Intelligence, not being interested in domination or conqaest, cannot fight back, so to speak, for it does not recognize opposition* except as a delusion of ‘self expanding itself through thought. For intelligence to be unconditioned and free, it need not and cannot suppress thought; but in seeing what is without comparing without justification or condemnation, th^ thought-process with its self-conscious memory and projection of ideals simply fades away in the full glare of understanding.
There is a purpose in the domination of thought, for thought has to continue in order to be secure. Thus, thought has invented ideologies and ideals for the ‘self (that sum-total of the past, of memories, traditions, beliefs, etc) to exist and to continue.

But, intelligence does not want to continue; it is the response, not to memory, but to every fresh challenge to be met, to be understood. Its security, so to speak, lies in the ever-fresh Supply of stimuli, which are there every moment, as long as there is life. Not seeking security, it is secure; not seeking movement, it is quiet; not seeking continuation, it is always new; not seeking possession, it is not possessed, and hence unconditioned and free.