>>20622644I've practiced Taoism for 27 years, I give a simple explanation here
>>20622646It is actually easier to learn how to "think without words" by performing some task that requires focus and skill. The most common example I give is sports, including competitive video games, when people are performing at the highest level, they are said to be "in the zone" or "unconscious". In the western world, this is called "flow state". In flow, time distorts where some things happen in slow motion, and also you blink and an hour is gone. Most men have experienced this at one time or another, doing something.
Again, you can never just turn the inner monologue off, like you can never turn breathing off without dying, but you can just let it happen automatically while YOU focus on other things, or to put it another way while you let your consciousness focus on other things.
That's why in Taoism it is so important to learn a skill. Even in drawing, playing music, or cutting wood and washing dishes, this state can be achieved naturally. To learn to be in this state while sitting in total silence and stillness is a special skill that takes practice and isn't always successful. To learn to be in this state at all times? That is the ultimate goal very few have ever achieved.
