We understand the meaning behind what someone else is saying by using our thought sense. The thought sense starts to mature in the late teens, early twenties and helps us understand the essence of what we are studying and of those teaching us. When reading, listening or viewing something we use the thought sense to relate to the thought living behind the language. It follows on from what has been perceived through the sense of word. To be able to follow someone else’s thinking, we unite ourselves with the rhythm of the other, perceived through the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. The matured sense of thought allows us to perceive the thought of the other and keep our own thoughts.
Hyper sense of thought
The sense of thought is the perception of meaning and differentiation of the thoughts created by another that lie behind words, gestures, symbols, patterns and systems. An over sensitivity makes it difficult to maintain or bear the separation of the thoughts of another and one’s self. The person may lose the meaning of their own thoughts to the other’s, or find it difficult to integrate all of the thoughts that they perceive.
Hypo sense of thought
Hypo thought sense is lack of discernment in clarifying meaning behind words expressed by someone else. They can often find themselves in unclear agreements, because they mistakenly understood to be in agreeance with another, but they rather they had not followed the thought and clarified the meaning.
How to harmonise and support the development of the thought sense
Harmonising the life sense also harmonises the thought sense. Children can be read traditional Grimm’s Fairytales and share in prayer and verse which serves to build a reverent relationship to something greater than the material self. These practices are also beneficial for adults, as is poetry, history, art exhibitions, and studying the way symbols are used in myths, legends, and languages.
Forms of spiritual development that strengthen the individual’s relationship to the truth and harmony within the cosmos and the meaning of life also extend the sense of thought.
To develop this sense, adolescents require teachers and role models who have a living connection to their work and enthusiastically bring this through what they are teaching, while at the same time letting the adolescent take up the parts they are sensing a connection with, and leave the others behind.
A person with a hyper sense of thought will be supported by being asked questions that lead them towards individual consideration to build broader perspectives so they can learn not to drop their own, but to hold many. A person with a hypo sense of thought will be supported through questions that deepen their point of view so that the nuances become highlighted.