Our States of Thought

Our states of thought can be divided into the fundamental state of thought and the derivative states of thought. All mental states originate from the fundamental state of thought.

In the fundamental state, we are clearly aware of all psychological phenomena, yet we are unable to generate corresponding psychological functions. When we attempt to resonate with a certain psychological phenomenon, a sudden emergence of mental force occurs—one that enables all conceptual and abstract matters to have tangible impact. This force is called attachment-driven mental force, and it forms the basis of the derivative states of thought.

The higher levels of derivative thought states are characterized by a highly focused mental condition—manifesting as universal concentration. In this state, thought no longer unfolds in a sequential or continuous manner as it does in our current condition. However, as the attachment-driven mental force continues to intensify, we begin to concentrate only on things that capture our interest. This leads to the emergence of selective thinking: through it, we identify and focus on things of particular interest, giving rise to sequential thinking. As sequential thinking develops, we enter the low-level derivative state we currently inhabit. The universal concentration of higher thought states thus splits into two cognitive functions: general vigilance and selective attention.

Upon entering the derivative states of thought, under the influence of attachment-driven mental force, our thinking becomes split into a relationship of observer and observed, forming the subject of thought (or thought-as-such) and object of thought.

When we attempt to return from our current low-level thought state toward more refined or elevated states, there are two main developmental directions:

1. From the low-level derivative state toward the higher-level derivative states;
2. From the low-level derivative state, passing through a transitional state (dwelling in the subject of thought), and then entering the fundamental state of thought, or any other mental state.

Since we live within this current state of thought, we must begin from it in order to attain and verify any other state of thought.

—《Foundational Research on the Phenomenon of Thought》, -Master Qingliangyue

On the Generation of Matter through the Derivative State of Thought

Matter arises only when the relationship between observer and observed is established and takes effect.

Matter is composed of conditions; it is merely a collective term, a symbol or concept for a set of conditions, and does not possess intrinsic reality.

In the fundamental state of thought, there is no observer-observed relationship. The derivative state of thought emerges when this psychological function activates, leading to the sudden generation of clinging mental energy. Once this clinging mental energy arises, opposing and discriminative thoughts rapidly follow. Together, clinging energy and oppositional discriminations cause thought to split into two parts: the thought subject (ontology of thought) and the thought object. Therefore, all perceivable matter and material states arise synchronously with the generation of the derivative state of thought; matter corresponds directly to this derivative thought state.

Where conditions exist, processes unfold; where processes unfold, time arises. Matter necessarily involves the temporal dimension, as it is a description of processes and their manifestations.

Matter is constituted by the fundamental state of thought (the fundamental energy of thought), clinging mental energy, oppositional discriminative thoughts, and the temporal factor. Time, as a linguistic construct to describe developmental processes, has no independent reality.

Matter and the derivative thought state are two aspects of the same unity; thought possesses material attributes, and matter embodies aspects of thought. Neither exists independently or objectively outside the other.

Fundamental energy exhibits both oscillatory and non-oscillatory states. When oscillations are strong, matter perceivable by us manifests visibly. When oscillations diminish, matter becomes imperceptible and invisible. Thus, those “higher-level materials” corresponding to advanced derivative thought states, although beyond ordinary perception, remain material states rather than pure energy states. When clinging mental energy is fully extinguished, one truly enters the stable, non-oscillatory fundamental energy state.

Matter corresponding to derivative thought states divides into higher and lower grades. Lower-grade matter is visible to the naked eye, while higher-grade matter can only be observed through special perception—or sometimes not seen at all.

Matter corresponding to the transitional thought state exhibits characteristics of both higher and lower grades, and thus can be partially perceived through special senses or even detected by instruments. This is the microscopic material state observed in quantum mechanics.

Since all visible matter originates from fundamental energy, which undergoes generation and dissolution processes, fundamental energy can also be termed primordial energy from the temporal perspective. It is the source and root of material generation.

All material within the same material world shares common attributes corresponding to a “common thought state.” For example, in our world, all matter possesses qualities of mass, disorder, heterogeneity, and fluctuation, reflecting the scattered and restless nature of our current continuous thought.

Any material entity simultaneously bears universal and individual attributes. By understanding these diverse attributes and their correspondence with thought, one may freely utilize various material entities and traverse different material worlds.

The common material world corresponding to common thought states exhibits a certain objectivity, which we term objective matter and objective material worlds.

All matter is grounded in selective thought, which carries strong clinging mental energy. Hence, in all matter and material worlds, motion is absolute while stillness is relative.

As clinging mental energy intensifies gradually and expands, visible matter perpetually expands, and this expansion accelerates over time.

Meanwhile, centripetal and centrifugal forces coexist. When centrifugal force dominates, centripetal force accumulates opposing energy. Upon reaching maximal centrifugal force (associated with peak suffering and urgent pursuit of pleasure), centripetal force swiftly gains dominance. This transition is abrupt, with no gradual overlap, since these opposing forces represent mutually exclusive states.

When centripetal force predominates, matter and the material world contract. Under this condition, selective thought loses influence, and the observer-observed relationship dissolves. Consequently, visible matter ceases to exist during contraction. Visible matter arises only when concrete images or concepts tied to specific phenomena generate image-based thought. Since such thought cannot exist when centripetal force exceeds centrifugal force, all visible matter and material worlds corresponding to this thought state vanish rapidly.

During material evolution, high temperature corresponds to the clash of centripetal and centrifugal forces, and temperature variation reflects the balance of these two forces externally.

At the formation of matter and material worlds, temperatures are high. Subsequently, temperatures decline, and matter and material worlds eventually disappear into a state of cooling.

Every material consists of three parts: essence, state, and function. The essence of all matter is identical, evolving from fundamental energy. Different matter represents different existence states of fundamental energy without intrinsic reality. The function and capacity of matter are inherent properties, inseparable from matter itself; function corresponds one-to-one with matter.

The overall development trend of matter and material worlds manifests as continuous expansion followed by dissolution and contraction, cycling repeatedly to form periodic change.

—《Foundational Research on the Phenomenon of Thought》, Cool Moon