When there is a tragedy in the family, such as the loss of a loved one, many people are bewildered as to how to deal with the emotions that come up. They wonder how they can be positive in that situation. What does positive thinking mean? It is not thinking about nice things. There are times when nothing seems nice in our life. Positive thinking is thinking right. Knowing how to think right in every situation helps to keep our state of mind good. The vibrations radiating from us then create a strong, supportive environment.
Most people do not pay much attention to their thoughts. They think thoughts occur inside the mind, invisible to others, and they have no practical impact. But thoughts subtly shape our life. Our attention is usually focused on the evident aspects of life, such as physical health, relationships, work, and finances. Taking care of the mind is rarely on our list of priorities. As a result, emotional wounds accumulate in the mind. But since we cannot see them, and neither can others, we do not bother to deal with them.
Another reason why we neglect the mind is that we do not recognise its importance. We think that once everything in our life is taken care of, the mind will automatically be well, and we will be happy. We have heard the saying that one who masters his mind succeeds. But we live the other way round – we try to master everything else in the belief that it will bring us peace of mind. Our thoughts create our world; it is not the world that creates our thoughts. This is another equation we get wrong, because of which we ignore our thoughts. The Covid pandemic has taught us that we need to keep both body and mind strong. Thinking right helps not just during a pandemic, but in every situation.
We can start with thinking right about past incidents that have caused hurt, particularly if we are holding on to the pain. To have a healthy mind is essential to heal old wounds. It helps to remember that our thoughts are like seeds, and the external aspects of our life are the branches and leaves that have sprung from them. When we walk into a garden, we admire the colour and fragrance of the flowers; no one takes note of the seeds buried in the soil, away from sight. The same happens in our life. We compliment people on their looks, their job, their house, and everyone likes such appreciation. So, we too focus on what others appreciate, neglecting the seeds.
Over time, this neglect begins to tell on us. First, it shows in our health. Every thought we create triggers biochemical processes that have an effect on the body. When we hold on to past hurts, guilt, anger or hatred for someone, all that emotional energy does not remain confined to the mind. It affects our feelings, which determine our mental health. Then it impacts on our physical health. Most diseases are psychosomatic – they are caused or aggravated by mental factors such as internal conflict and stress. We may incorporate all the right things into our lifestyle, but if we do not change the way we think, speak and behave, the mental roots of disease will remain, and grow, gradually producing illness.
The third aspect of life affected by our thoughts and feelings is relationships. Each thought carries some energy, which radiates from us in the form of subtle vibrations. Others can sense the vibrations and get an idea of our thinking and feelings and they will respond to that. The right kind of thoughts create an atmosphere conducive to cordial relationships. They lay the subtle foundation for a healthy and happy life, enabling us to deal successfully with any situation and help others do the same.
B.K. Shivani is a well-known motivational speaker and Rajyoga teacher.