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Let us examine these three components:
Awareness:
The first step is to be aware of what and how we are
thinking. We must train ourselves to be aware at all times
of how our mind is working – the thoughts, thinking patterns
and tendencies. Make this a habit. If it is difficult, the
meditation technique of antar mouna and Yoga Nidra are
methods which help us do this. These techniques help in the
withdrawing of our senses to introspect.
Acceptance:
Awareness, however, brings about a heightened sensitivity
to the issues. We tend to become judgemental and critical of
ourselves or of others. This has the danger of sending us
into a vicious cycle of negativity UNLESS we learn to accept
what we see and understand.
Have an attitude that “it is ok” to think how we are.
Just be a witness to this fact and believe that God likes us
for what we are. This acceptance leads to a genuine love and
compassion, which forms the bedrock of positive thinking.
For example, if you are angry with your partner for not
doing something as per your wishes, accept that it is
natural for you to face such emotions. Accept that it is
because of certain archetypes or ‘samskaras’ that lie
embedded in your subconscious. Likewise, accept that it is
okay for your partner to behave that way, which is based on
his perception and the elements embedded in his
subconscious.
With practice, you will find that this helps in
surmounting negativity to a large extent.
Attitude:
Once we have accepted what lies within our thoughts, we
can actually start working upon how we ‘want’ to look at
that particular person, situation or thing. Yoga techniques
assist us in changing our attitude. The ‘Sankalpa’ or
resolve that we set in Yoga Nidra helps in shaping our mind.
This resolve in yoga is always in the nature of a positive
statement – such as “I am becoming more positive every day”.
Such inputs fed into the mind help in shaping our attitude
into one of positivism.
Let us look at changing attitude with the following
example. Suppose you have a negative attitude toward
someone. So much so that he puts you in a bad mood the
moment you see him. For a moment, find just one small thing
or quality in him that you do like. Now remember that one
positive thing whenever you meet or interact with him.
Gradually, you will see that your feelings towards him will
become more positive and things start looking up.
Following these three guidelines and you will find
yourself becoming more positive. Remember that every thought
generated in the mind is also experienced by every cell in
the body. That is why on a ‘good’ day you feel yourself
exercising better with more flexibility, while on a ‘bad’
day you feel stiff and lethargic.
Ultimately, positive thinking affects the body vibrations
in a positive manner. This in turn, affects the vibrations
around us, which, in turn, affect the situations around us.
This helps in relieving our suffering and leading a
harmonious life. |