Great question – where do all the thoughts come from?

To be honest it does not really matter. The thoughts are not the problem. There are two problems:

1. We do not have control of the thoughts, they are in a constant state of flux and flow. They interrupt and distract us all the time.
Shamatha meditation helps us to calm the mind and teaches how to keep the mind focused and balanced resulting in physical and mental well being.

2. We tend to grasp onto the thoughts and view them as something solid. One thought leads to another and another and gives rise to emotions and memories. From there we have one of three reactions – positive, negative or neutral. If is positive, we want to hold on to it, make is last longer or re-create it, if it is negative, we want it to go away and if it is neutral we do not notice it. All three options cause an imbalance in the mind and we feel uncomfortable.
Our goal is to merely observe. When we are able to do this, the grasping subsides, and the balance of the mind increases and lucidity and awareness in each moment increases.

It is important to note here to not have any expectation, they clutter the mind with a critical view.
Just relax and observe. The technique will do the rest.

Yeshey