Finally made time to read through this.

Now that I am finished I've forgotten what it was I wanted to say.

Right.. the voice that 3rdI mentions. Do people really think thoughts that way? I will oftentimes think en vox, particularly when I am in a conversational mood or wanting to work something into words for the sake of exercise, but by no means do my thoughts come to me in that form. Sitting in silence, unless I am remembering a conversation or something someone has said, all is quiet.. yet I would not say that I am very good at meditating. I get antsy and have the usual doubts everyone else has, like what is being accomplished and how many other things I could be working on with this precious time, etc.

So when I read about literal inner monologues that won't turn off... I'm not sure where I would fall in comparison. But the prospect of there being a definite progression of experiences as one continues with the practice is extremely encouraging. Thanks.

Also, I had no idea brain wave monitors were available to the general public like that, SM. Very neat.