This short video reflects a talk by David Bohm—centred on the notion that the ‘self’ we experience is largely a construct of thought.
Bohm’s perspective offers a deeper understanding of how the mind creates a self‑image through habitual thinking. Instead of being an independent, essential entity, the “self” is portrayed as an artefact—a product of our own thought‑generated models. These models act as distortions, shaping how we perceive and behave, often without our explicit awareness. By recognising that the self is derived from thought, Bohm invites us to question its validity and explore the possibility of experiencing life free from the limitations imposed by these mental constructs.
“The illusion that the self and the world are broken into fragments originates in the kind of thought that goes beyond its proper measure and confuses its own product with the same independent reality.”
~David Bohm
Propositions
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Core Message | The self we experience is largely a construct of thought. |
| Implication | Our identification with this thought-made self may obscure genuine awareness. |
| Suggested Insight | By seeing that this self is merely a cognitive model, we may begin to free ourselves from its limitations.David Bohm proposes that much of what we consider to be the self is actually formed through thought patterns. He suggests that these thought‑generated models, which many mistakenly regard as the authentic self, profoundly influence our actions and reactions. |