How to Remove Negative Thoughts

Understanding the intricacies of the human mind requires recognizing its unique operations, distinct from the common notions of positive and negative thought processes. Often, individuals aim to eliminate negative thoughts with the hopes of harboring solely positive ones. However, this is an approach bound for struggle. The mind is a complex entity where every attempt to control thoughts can result in them becoming more pervasive. Simplistic attempts to filter thoughts typically amplify them instead of subduing them. A more profound realization lies in acknowledging the mind’s role as a tool for the individual, meant to serve rather than dominate one’s experience of life.

A profound perspective shift is necessary, shifting focus from the turmoil of thoughts and emotions to the sense of aliveness within. When one recognizes the distinction between their existence and the myriad of physiological and psychological activities, a natural separation arises. This separation is the genesis of liberating oneself from suffering, which is often a product of an unbridled identification with the mind and body. The key to tranquility lies in an awareness of the self—not entangled with thoughts or emotions. Such an understanding conveys the importance of distancing oneself from these processes, possibly through practices such as Isha Kriya, leading to a life experienced in its fullness away from the binding chains of suffering.

Key Takeaways

• The human mind cannot effectively eliminate negative thoughts, as efforts to control them typically backfire.
• Recognizing the mind as a serviceable tool, rather than becoming entwined with it, is crucial for experiencing life fully.
• Creating a conscious distance from one’s physiological and psychological processes can end the cycle of suffering.

Grasping the Dynamics of Our Mental Processes

The mind’s workings are often misinterpreted, with many trying to filter out the so-called negative thoughts to foster only the positive ones. However, attempts to directly remove thoughts from our consciousness are typically futile. An example to illustrate this is the attempt to not think of a monkey for a brief period, which usually results in the mind being overwhelmed with that very thought.

Emphasizing the complexity of human consciousness, it’s important to recognize that the mind does not operate on principles of subtraction or division; rather, it thrives on addition and multiplication. Therefore, rather than trying to eliminate thoughts, understanding the mind’s fundamental workings is crucial. The mind is akin to a sophisticated machine, surpassing even the most advanced computers derived from human intelligence.

Perspective on Mental Processes:

• The Illusion of Control: The more one tries to control their thoughts, the more they proliferate.
• The Vehicle Analogy: Just as a vehicle should follow the driver’s direction, so too should our body and mind serve us, instead of taking us on undesired journeys.

The Core of Our Existence:

• Essence of Life: The essence of our being is not tied to our thoughts or emotions; life itself is the primary reality.
• Significance of Aliveness: Being alive is the cornerstone of our existence, more so than our transient thoughts.

Distancing from Distress:

• Creating Space: Establishing a distinct gap between our mental and physical experiences can alleviate suffering.
• Nature of Suffering: Suffering generally manifests in two forms: physical and mental.

Mindfulness and introspective practices, such as focusing on life’s process or bodily sensations like breath or heartbeat, can be a pathway to creating a separation between oneself and the noise of mental engagement. By paying attention to the aspects that signify life, individuals may distinguish between their true self and the layers of physiological and psychological experiences accumulated over time.

Consequences of Negative Emotions:

• Misdirected Outcomes: Anger and resentment may be aimed at others, but they harm the individual harboring them.
• Biological Impact: Negative emotions can have a tangible effect, potentially leading to a toxic physical state.

In summary, rather than battling to expunge negative thoughts, it’s more beneficial to understand and observe the nature of our minds and bodies. By doing so, individuals can appreciate the distinction between their essence and their acquired traits, and live with a greater sense of peace and clarity.

Understanding the Human Mind’s Functions

The mind is exceptionally complex and is often likened to an advanced computer. In the realm of mental processes, positive and negative thinking cannot simply be switched on or off. Instead, the mind tends to amplify whatever is focused upon. Trying to banish a certain thought only leads to its multiplication, highlighting that the mind does not operate through subtraction or division but rather addition and multiplication.

Key Aspects:

• The mind has no brakes; it accelerates whatever it focuses on.
• Attempting to eliminate negative thoughts only intensifies them.
• The body and mind should serve the individual, not the other way around.

It is essential to understand that the essence of a person is not just their thoughts or emotions. There is a distinct entity that remains when all else is stripped away—a core self that exists regardless of physical or mental states. Achieving a separation between oneself and their thoughts or emotions can eliminate suffering that stems from either the physical or the mental. The most vital aspect of existence is life itself, not the myriad of thoughts that accompany it.

Strategies for Mental Clarity:

• Engage in practices that create a gap between one’s physiological and psychological processes.
• Focus on the innate sense of being alive, such as the heartbeat or breath.
• Recognize and avoid internalizing negative emotions like anger and resentment, akin to self-poisoning.

The human experience of suffering springs from either the body or the mind. By cultivating awareness and distance from the psychological and physiological processes, a person can end the cycle of suffering. This understanding and self-realization can liberate one from the counterproductive endeavor of trying to control the mind forcefully.

Isha Kriya and Creating Space from Bodily and Mental Processes

Our mind is adept at accumulating and amplifying thoughts but struggles with limiting and reducing them. Trying to eliminate negative thoughts only inundates us with the very thoughts we wish to avoid. For instance, if one attempts not to think of a specific subject, such as a monkey, the mind paradoxically becomes overrun with that thought. This illustrates the futility of trying to control our mind’s natural tendencies through force.

In dealing with the complexities of the mind, which is arguably the most advanced ‘computer’ of our existence, it is first necessary to grasp the underlying mechanics of how it operates. Acknowledging that the mind, as well as the body, are meant to serve us, we should aim for them to follow our directive, rather than lead us astray. When our mental and physical vessels align with our intentions, navigating life becomes smoother.

Introducing the practice of Isha Kriya is a step toward achieving such alignment. This technique emphasizes the separation of one’s self from the myriad of physiological and psychological processes. Recognizing that one’s existence is not solely composed of thoughts and emotions is a crucial realization. The essence of being alive transcends the mental and physical experiences.

Focusing on the elemental sense of being alive helps in distancing oneself from the psychological and physiological processes that often cause distress. By creating this separation, we can effectively end the main sources of human suffering—physical and mental anguish. It is essential to comprehend that negative emotions, like resentment or anger, do more harm to the individual harboring them than to anyone else. Periods of negativity can be chemically traced in the body, showing tangible evidence of self-inflicted harm.

Instead of attempting to strip away the layers of negative thought, a more practical approach involves shifting our attention toward life-affirming processes such as the heartbeat, breath, or simply the sensation of being. Over time, attentiveness to these indicators of life cultivates a clearer distinction between our true selves and the external influences that shape our psychological and physiological conditions.

Understanding the Essence of Being Alive

Our mind operates uniquely, thriving on addition and multiplication rather than subtraction and division. The attempt to expel negative thoughts with the hope of fostering only positive ones is an exercise in futility. Upon examining our internal mechanisms, it becomes apparent that trying to discard a single thought often leads to its proliferation. For instance, try to resist the thought of a particular object, like a monkey, and notice how it dominates your mind.

He observes that the mind is akin to a sophisticated computer, a tool meant to serve us. The priority of existence is not our thoughts or emotions, but rather the pure state of being alive. Aliveness is our most critical quality, and yet, its significance often remains unacknowledged.

	Practices for Awareness
Step 1	Acknowledge body and mind as tools to serve the essence of life, not to direct it.
Step 2	Recognize that efforts to control thoughts often backfire, leading to an ironic increase in those very thoughts.
Step 3	Understand that a clear separation exists between one’s physical and psychological processes and the self.
Step 4	Explore the ‘Isha Kriya’ process to cultivate distance from physiological and psychological processes, appreciating the distinctness of your existence.
Step 5	Focus on the fundamental sensation of being alive—such as the heartbeat or breath—to enhance the perception of life’s processes beyond mere thoughts.

Creating a separation from our physiological and psychological processes becomes a pivotal step in ending suffering. Humans encounter two primary forms of suffering: physical and mental. By establishing a detachment from both the mind and body, he argues that suffering can be alleviated.

Resentment, anger, and anxiety, common sources of unrest, are akin to ingesting poison and expecting harm to come to others when, in reality, the only person harmed is oneself. Chemical analyses have revealed that intense negative emotions can quite literally introduce toxins into the bloodstream.

Proactive Measures Against Negative Thoughts:

• Avoid the trap of trying to actively discard negative thoughts, which can resurface with greater intensity.
• Turn your focus inward, paying attention to the life process itself—be it the rhythm of your breathing, the reliability of your heartbeat, or any sensation indicative of life.
• Realize the distinct entities of ‘you’ and the accumulated experiences, including both the physical and mental aspects you’ve assembled, whether they be orderly or chaotic.

By shedding light on the mechanics of the mind and the importance of self-awareness, he provides insight into a more peaceful existence, rooted in the appreciation and recognition of our fundamental aliveness.

Understanding the Origin of Mental Discontent

Our Thoughts and Perceptions:
At the core of human experience, two forms of suffering exist: physical discomfort and psychological pain. Individuals often find themselves engrossed in a mental struggle, attempting to combat negative thinking with the hope of cultivating a more positive outlook.

The Illusion of Control:
One may believe that by purging the mind of negative thoughts, a state of positivity will naturally ensue. However, this notion is akin to an endless pursuit where the very act of trying to eliminate certain thoughts only amplifies them.

The Mind’s Mechanisms:

• No subtraction or division: Only addition and multiplication
• Active engagement amplifies thought: The more one tries to avoid a thought, the more it proliferates

The Nature of the Mind:
He acknowledges that the mind operates without a clear mechanism for slowing or halting unwelcome thoughts. The mind is not a simple system that responds to commands of negation; instead, it intensifies focus on the very thoughts one seeks to diminish.

A Practical Experiment:
He suggests a brief experiment where one attempts to avoid a specific thought, such as not thinking of a monkey, to illustrate the mind’s tendency to do the opposite of what is intended.

Body and Mind as Instruments:
His perspective is that the human body and mind are tools meant to serve the individual, the essence of life itself. When the mind operates autonomously, leading the individual rather than being guided, it becomes a hindrance rather than an asset.

Creating Distance from Mental Activity:

• Physical and psychological separation: The key to alleviating suffering
• Focus on the life process: Sensations such as the heartbeat or breath can provide grounding

The Effect of Negative Emotions:
Negative emotions such as anger and resentment are self-afflicted poisons. He draws an analogy to the physical effects of poison, emphasizing that negative emotions harm the individual emotionally and can manifest as physical toxins in the body.

The Path to Relief:
Instead of actively combating negative thoughts, he promotes a sense of awareness and dissociation from the mental and physiological processes. Through practices such as Isha Kriya, an individual can experience a disassociation that provides relief from suffering by recognizing the separation of one’s essence from the accumulated thoughts and emotions.

The Detrimental Effects of Negative Emotional States

Recognizing the futility of attempting to purge negative thoughts from one’s mind is crucial, as the approach of negating and suppressing thoughts is counterproductive. The complexity of the human mind does not allow for the simple removal of thoughts; trying to actively eliminate a thought can often result in its proliferation. The human mind operates on the principle of inclusion, perpetuating and amplifying whatever it focuses on.

The importance of understanding how the mind functions cannot be overstressed, as it is a remarkably complex entity that is foundational to engineering great achievements. However, the intricacy of its workings often leads to its misuse, turning potentially the most exquisite aspect of our being into a source of constant struggle.

Building Distance: The practice of creating a separation between oneself and the myriad of mental and physical processes can alleviate suffering. A key to achieving this separation is recognizing the existence of the self beyond mental and emotional constructs.

• Physical and Mental Suffering: Once a person gains perspective and establishes a buffer between themselves and their mental activities, as well as their physical sensations, they effectively put an end to the two primary forms of human suffering.
• The Conceit of Control: Attempting to control the mind by removing ‘negative’ thoughts is a misguided endeavor. Instead, when negative thoughts arise, it’s often our habit to chant or distract ourselves—yet these are merely avoidance tactics that provide only temporary relief.

Emotional Toxins: Negative emotions such as resentment and anger, though often directed towards others, are akin to consuming poison and expecting another person to suffer the effects. The fact remains that indulging in such emotions leads to self-harm.

• Chemical Consequences: The body’s chemistry is acutely responsive to our emotional state; even a brief period of intense anger can manifest as harmful substances in our bloodstream.
• Emotional Distraction: Rather than engaging in futile attempts to rid oneself of negativity, it is more beneficial to refocus on the simple indicators of life—such as breathing, heartbeat, or other bodily sensations. This shift in focus can foster a disconnection from accumulated physiological and psychological burdens.

In summary, it is essential to grasp that the self is an independent entity, not merely a composite of transient thoughts and emotions. By concentrating on the fundamental experience of being alive, one can create an essential distinction between the enduring self and the transient accumulations of life experiences. This understanding is paramount to transforming one’s experience of the mind from a source of angst to a tool of empowerment.

Concentrating on Our Existential Core

In the pursuit of understanding ourselves, one might find that the typical approach of separating thoughts into ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ is inherently flawed. Trying to expel negative thoughts often proves futile; akin to the challenge of not contemplating a monkey, only to have your mind inundated with the very image you sought to evade. The truth is, the mind doesn’t possess mechanisms to diminish or divide thoughts, it can only amplify them.

One’s mind, a powerful entity, shaping itself as the pinnacle of computational prowess, has been the birthplace of supercomputers. Yet, despite its power, many experience it as a burden rather than a gift. This complex tool, however, is meant to serve us, not to dictate the course of our lives. To own the direction it takes, one must first grasp its intricate workings.

Let’s consider the notion of the ‘self’ as distinct from the array of accumulated thoughts and emotions. Regardless of whether one’s eyes are open or not, their existence isn’t predicated on the sensory or cognitive perceptions at that moment. There lies an underlying vitality, an essence of life, persisting beyond these layers. It is this aliveness, the most crucial aspect of existence, that must be celebrated and acknowledged.

Here are some actionable insights into disentangling oneself from constant mental noise:

• Recognize that the mind and body are mere instruments for the self, designed to be under your command.
• Align attention to the rudimentary sensation of being alive, such as the heartbeat or breath, as a method to disassociate from mental and physiological processes.
• Understand that physical and mental suffering cease when a conscious separation is established between the self and its mental and bodily experiences.
• Accept that when resentment or anger is harbored, it’s akin to self-poisoning with the expectation of affecting another. Chemical analyses can even reveal the harm such emotions inflict upon oneself.

Awareness of the Life Process:

• Sensation of Aliveness: Focusing on one’s heartbeat, breath, or simple life-affirming sensations.
• Distinction between Self and Accumulation: Differentiating the core self from the collection of thoughts and emotions.
• End of Suffering: Realizing that suffering is optional with the right mind-body distancing.

Attempting to purge negative thoughts is not the remedy, for their avoidance only leads to a temporary reprieve. When one shifts focus inward to the very heartbeat of existence, a space between themselves and their accumulated impressions emerges, paving the way to true peace.