Papañca — this is the term used in Buddhism for the endless flow of thoughts, like a self-reproducing garland. The term precisely describes what sometimes keeps me from falling asleep. Thoughts arise in my head one after another, with no apparent reason or logical connection. They often repeat themselves, looping in an endless cycle.
Most of them are colored by negative emotions — worries about the past, regret over mistakes, anxiety about the future and unfinished tasks. When this whirlwind of thoughts begins its dance before sleep, I mentally call it papañca. And strangely enough, simply becoming aware of this process and naming it helps break the vicious circle and calm the mind.

Black clay | 41×35×26 cm | 2024