Overcoming Negative Thoughts and Emotions

Why is overcoming negative emotions and thoughts important?

One query I receive frequently from many is how to live in the moment. Seekers tell me they want to take their mind away from negative emotions and thoughts but are not always able to do so. In fact, more often than not such negativity or distractions win out over them causing turmoil in their inner world of peace and quiet. In the last post I talked about how an attempt to focus on what you dislike brings you exactly what you do not want. That is how Nature operates. Overcoming negative thoughts is the key.

Let me explain. Your outer world is greatly affected by the state of your inner world. Your thoughts, desires, and emotions (ultimately, all thoughts) are the building blocks of your inner world. Whether the thought is to avoid something or to have it, that very thought becomes the building block. When you keep your thoughts on things or emotions you want to avoid, you can imagine what your inner world is going to look like.

So, how can we overcome negative emotions, thoughts, and distractions?

Imagine a battle. The stronger side generally wins. The side that has greater force and more intelligence tends to overpower the other. Between the weak and the strong, the weaker side is subdued by the strong. That is all you need to know. When your negative emotions or thoughts are stronger than your positive ones, they will win out over you. Until such time that you discover your natural state of mind, a state that rises above negative or positive, you need to list positive emotions.

Think about those things and emotions that uplift you and are stronger than the ones that make you feel down and pensive. No matter how terrible things may be, there is still plenty everyone has to be grateful for. Being grateful for what you have helps you to be positive and strong. Further down the line, when we get to Emotional Transformation, I will detail the practice of gratitude.

How do I train my brain to stop negative thoughts?

For now, your task is to find enough fodder for your mind that makes it peaceful and happy. Whenever you feel down, do not make any attempts to stave off the negativity. Just try your utmost to focus on the positive. Consequently, negative thoughts become greatly feeble.

All negative emotions and sentiments including anger, jealousy, and greed mean you are hurt somewhere in your inner world. It indicates the wounds have not healed yet. It shows your heart is still scarred.

There is no one-size-fits-all remedy, you need to find a way to heal yourself. Let go; forgive, try. If you make an attempt to let go of all that grieves you, healing occurs automatically. That’s how you will be able to overcome negative thoughts, most of them. You may also want to read – how to get rid of impure thoughts.

One rule to follow in overcoming negative thoughts.

If you make an attempt to look upon everyone as merely a medium to deliver you, as I say, your parcels of karmic fruit, your outlook towards people will start to change. Follow the rules of giving for greater satisfaction and read up again on desires and dependency.

Peace.
Swami