From the moment we wake up in the morning, numerous thoughts begin to race in our mind. We cannot prevent any thought, even if we may wish to.
It is fine when thoughts are normal like ‘Let me clean my room’ or ‘I will do this today and that tomorrow’. These type of thoughts do not affect us in a harmful way. But when thoughts cross the normal limit, they begin to have a destructive influence on us, causing us to self-doubt, lack confidence, fear or dread life. Consequently, we experience feelings of misery, despondency, depression and torment, which is classified as going beyond the limit of negative thinking.
Let's say for example you have a headache. To think within the limits of normality would be ‘My head is throbbing, but I am sure this will soon pass’. However, if you have surpassed the normality and have gone to extreme adverse thinking, your mind will doubt, ‘Would I have developed a brain tumour? Is that the reason for my headache? What if I am seriously ill? What will happen to my family? What if I die?’ This is the type of contemplation that is classified as going beyond the realms of normality.
Thoughts such as ‘I cannot do this’, ‘I am not very good’, I am useless’ are equally harmful and damaging. Or say, you have constant adverse thoughts towards others, this too will have a negative impact on you personally, as well as in your life generally.
How we think on a moment-to-moment basis plays a huge role in how we feel, and in turn how we act. And going beyond the boundary of normal thinking can severely limit our ability to enjoy our life. Therefore, always keep an eye on your mind; and support only thoughts which are normal or beneficial.
How to limit your negative thoughts?
•Become aware whenever you are going beyond the limits in negative thinking.
•Monitor when and with whom these adverse thoughts generally take place.
•Accept the fact that ‘currently these adverse thoughts are coming in your mind’.
•Now, make a deliberate attempt and think several positive thoughts.
•Ascertain whether or not the negative thinking has already become the norm and taken over the way you perceive and live your life.
•If you are really concerned about something that is troubling you, try taking a positive action in reaction, rather than worry about it or allow these feelings to fester in a detrimental way.
•Live in the present moment - enjoy what is directly in front of you. The moment you think about the past or the future, you are missing out on the valuable present.
•If you are consumed with negative thoughts and cannot see any way out, then seek to find peace through spirituality.
We do have influence over our thoughts when they go beyond normality. When thoughts of dying enter our mind what do we do? We divert our mind, isn’t it? You can do the same when you see negative thoughts have begun to bombard your mind. There will be periods when you cannot control your negative thoughts; but do all you can to prevent them from getting out of control in the first place, by trying to get back in balance at an early stage.
Please visit https://www.dadabhagwan.org/path-to-happiness/self-help/positive-thinking/
Ambalal M. Patel was a civil contractor by profession. In June 1958, spontaneous Self-Realization occurred within Ambalal M. Patel. From this point on, Ambalal became a Gnani Purush, and the Lord that manifest within him became known as Dada Bhagwan. A Gnani Purush is One who has realized the Self and is able help others do the same. Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan used to go from town to town and country-to-country to give satsang (spiritual discourse) and impart the knowledge of the Self, as well as knowledge of harmonious worldly interactions to everyone who came to meet him. This spiritual science, known as Akram Vignan, is the step-less path to Self-realization.