No, thoughts, which do not exist, cannot respond or react to anything. What is noticed is the responding or reacting. For example, between you and I, there is not anyone having this conversation, as neither "you" nor "I" exist.Can thoughts respond or react to anything?
"I" was not caused by "you," and vice versa, because "we" do not exist. There is a noticing that conversating is happening.Or is it more like one thought simply happens after another, and you come to a logical conclusion that one "responded to", or was caused by another? In strictly direct experience, can you detect the link that connects "cause" and "effect" together?
No AND yes, both/and... the yes being the exception as you say, the manifesting of its existence in the current moment.Can a thought do anything at all, except for manifesting its existence in the current moment?

