Thoughts have power. As we think, so we become. If we allow negative thoughts to dominate our mind, we will be frustrated, unhappy and lacking in inner peace. If we can stop negative thoughts, we will will be able to see the beautiful, even in the mundane; we will be able to attain peace of mind, even in the turmoil of everyday life.
How To Stop your Negative Thoughts.
Be Committed
The very first step is simply the awareness that you want to stop your negative thoughts. Unfortunately, there is a part of us that holds on to negative thoughts; if we didn’t consciously or unconsciously invite negative thoughts we wouldn’t have them. For example, we sometimes hold onto negative thoughts out of self-pity; we have to be careful of this. If we strongly value the benefit of rejecting negative thoughts we will be able to do it.
Be Aware.
Another problem is that negative thoughts can often slip in unnoticed. We allow negative thoughts to spiral around in our mind and don’t have the discipline to reject them. Always be conscious of your thoughts, and don’t allow your mind to wander down a path of negativity. Feel that when you allow negative thoughts into your mind you are staining something very beautiful. Take time to periodically review your thoughts so that it will become more instinctive to be aware of your own mind.
Positive Visualisation.
Only by our positive thinking,
By our bringing the positive qualities
Of others to the fore,
Will this world be able
To make progress.
The most effective way for countering negativity, is to throw yourself into the opposite – which is a positive view of life. Don’t focus on a person’s minor misdemeanour’s, but focus on the real self, the part that is divine. If you are frustrated how society is at the moment, visualise how society can change into something beautiful. By thinking of the positive and by feeling divine qualities of love, we will not want to harbour negativity. Don’t feel you are fighting negativity, but just growing into a better world-view.
Negativity Hurts yourself.
Much negativity is focused on other people – colleagues who annoy us, friends who disappoint us, politicians who fail us. We wish to blame and criticise other people we come into contact with. However, as we gain more experience, we come to feel that our own negativity unmistakably returns to its source. The failings we see in others are merely some part of our own larger nature. When we realise that negativity towards others returns like a boomerang, we will naturally be more compassionate, forgiving and loving. By being kind to others, we are really being kind to our more illumined self.
We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.
– Lord Buddha [2. Dhammapada, translated by T. Byrom (1993), Shambhala ]
Meditation
Sometimes, when sitting down to meditate, I just allow thoughts to pass by and I act as the observer of the thoughts. This allows myself to be aware of the thoughts that I produce; it also enables me to see thoughts as separate from my real self. By simply observing thoughts that pass by your mind, you will be able to see them as passing, transient objects – separate from yourself. With this perspective it is much easier to reject those you don’t want.
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Thanks a lot
Hi – I Think meditation helps plus yoga and lots of honesty
When we hold negative thing we tend to got stressed and tense in the body and the output is rotten thinking
This is a very relevant post – I really believe that people don’t often realize how many negative thoughts they carry inside, until they truly start listening to themselves. When I made up my mind to become improve my outlook on life (3 years ago), I started becoming aware of how much negativity I carried with me. In the last few years, I’ve learned to stop the negative tape and replace it with positivity, and with that, serenity. (at least most of the time!) I sleep better, I’m much happier, and life feels good.
I am considering a few thinks to help with negative thoughts and anxiety, particularly around the time of my period as they seem to get much worse. I like the idea of meditation but have no idea about how to do it. I am also considering writing my worries/thoughts down into a journal. Any advicwe would be valued. Thanks
Observing your thoughts while meditating would be an interesting thing.
I always thought meditating was not to allow any thoughts into your mind and focus on your breathing, I failed everytime i tried 🙂
Thank you for this wonderful inspiration-blog. I am very grateful to read this clear thoughts about the way to reach our real potential. I fully agree that our bad habits and mind pattern that destroy our presence and future. How can we get rid of these limits? Only by achieving an access to our true self.
I agree with you. Awareness is a very important tool for stopping negative thinking. We have thousands of thought per day. The ides is to make most of them positive.
Thanks for sharing
Zoe,
This is the book I read to learn about meditation as a beginner:
‘Turning the Mind Into an Ally’ by Sakyong Mipham
It’s excellent. A lot of people recommend ‘Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind’, but I found that a little less user-friendly. Maybe I would feel differently about it now, I don’t know.
Another all-time favorite is by the father of Sakyong Mipham, Chogyam Trungpa:
‘Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior’
Indispensable.
Best of luck on your journey 🙂
i agree with u i tried it and it was really helpful