Learn to Convert Negative Thoughts to Positive Thinking!

What is the Difference Between Positive and Negative Thoughts?

Thoughts are mental processes that allow us to make sense of our experiences based on sensory perceptions. Thoughts are built on hierarchies of representations where one event reminds us of the other. Repetition of visual or graphic images in the mind can lead to the generation of positive or negative thoughts. A series of conscious thoughts eventually form deep internal beliefs at the subconscious level.

Swamiji says that the mind is a factory of thoughts. They are the seeds from which identical plants grow. Good thoughts lead to good deeds and vice versa. Positive thoughts are beneficial for the mind and soul, and immediately generate a feeling of bliss. Positive thoughts uplift us and make us feel good, for example, thinking about acts of kindness, austerity, sacrifice, renunciation, selflessness, seva, etc. Positive thoughts and attitudes are usually associated with higher levels of success in all aspects of life. 

In contrast, negative thoughts generate unpleasant feelings, leading a person to engage in harmful actions or selfish behavior. Examples include thoughts of hurting someone, damaging property, falsely accusing someone, shirking one’s responsibilities, blaming others for mishaps, etc. Those who harbor negative thoughts are more likely to be unhappy and experience higher rates of failure in life. 

Why do negative thoughts come to mind? Swamiji says that our ego makes us believe that everything should revolve around our desires and when things do not work out the way we expect or predict, we tend to focus on negative thoughts. Repeated focus on negative thoughts gradually increases the mind’s taste for such messages, and before we realize it, rumination turns into an irrevocable habit. 

How do Negative Thoughts Affect us?

Swamiji teaches us that our thoughts have consequences. Negative thoughts disturb the manmayakosh which causes disturbance in the pranamayakosh, leading to disease. Negative thoughts impede the functioning of the heart, adversely influence the state of calm, peace, and balance of the mind, and obstruct spiritual growth. Like a garden filled with weeds, a troubled mind keeps creating degenerative thoughts. 

In his commentary on Verse 6.6 in the Bhagavad Gita, Swamiji says that “Illness is not only caused by viruses and bacteria, but also by the negativities we harbor in the mind.” We tend to remember the hurtful words of others for a long time and carry the resentment in the heart. The negative thoughts that keep generating from piled-up anger, hatred and resentment, cause more harm to us than the object of our hatred. We all remember the expression, “Resentment is like drinking poison and hoping that the other person dies,” but do not remember the extent of harm it causes. 

Another important point to understand is that we falsely believe that our thoughts are secret because they dwell in the deep recesses of our mind, thus, have no external consequences. We do not realize how thoughts shape our inner character and external personality (Bhagavad Gita 17.16). A popular quote beautifully explains this connection: 

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words;
Watch your words, for they become actions;
Watch your actions, for they become habits;
Watch your habits, for they become character;
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

Similarly, a line from a beautiful kirtan by Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj says, “Putra, kalatra, mitra aadik je, tin karu dvesh na rag re,” suggests that we should teach our mind to be steady, not frivolous, and harbor neither hatred nor attachment toward family members, relatives or friends. This is the only way to control the mind, free from material attachments, and subsequently free of resentments due to such attachments. 

How can we Convert Negative Thoughts into Positive Thinking?

Thinking is also an art. The story of Thomas Alva Edison is a worth example meant to inspire and help us to look at the positive side of adverse situations. As an inventor, Edison repeatedly failed in his attempts to create a light bulb. When asked by reporters later about how he was able to keep his positive attitude, he explained that he learned 3999 ways how not to make a bulb! Most people are not as positively inclined, thus, we must pay attention to life experiences that are designed by God to bring us face to face with our internal defects, providing us with the opportunity to improve. 

Using the analogy of a garden, Swamiji asks us to consciously uproot the weeds in the garden of our mind and plant beautiful flowers instead. Spiritual devotion is an excellent way to learn to control the mind and convert negative thoughts into positive affirmations. Lord Krishna tells Arjun about the importance of focusing the mind on Him (God) by suggesting that we use the intellect to control the wayward mind:

यतो यतो निश्चरति मनश्चञ्चलमस्थिरम् |
ततस्ततो नियम्यैतदात्मन्येव वशं नयेत् || 26||

yato yato niśhcharati manaśh chañchalam asthiram
tatas tato niyamyaitad ātmanyeva vaśhaṁ nayet

Whenever and wherever the restless and unsteady mind wanders, one should bring it back and continually focus it on God (Bhagavad Gita 6.26). 

Practical Strategies to Convert Negative Thoughts into Positive Thinking

1. Learn the Knowledge for Mind Management. To be successful in controlling negative thoughts, we must (a) first understand the benefit of creating a positive vs. a negative mindset, (b) use our free will to choose uplifting thoughts each and every time, and then (c) practice its use repeatedly until it becomes a habit and is embedded in our subconscious. 
2. Be Constantly Aware of One’s Thoughts. We need to catch ourselves when engaged in destructive thoughts, recognize the pattern, and immediately reverse the thought to something more constructive. True sadhaks (i.e., spiritual aspirants) check their state of mind at all times and try to replace harmful thoughts with positive thoughts which elevate our thinking and behavior. These can be manifested through expressions of love, warmth, compassion, and desire to help others.
3. Neutralize the Negative Thought. The force of unproductive materially conditioned habits has to be broken to prevent the mind from getting drawn into negative thoughts due to its gravitational pull. We need to neutralize negative thoughts by practicing reverse positive thoughts. We can practice thinking of good things about others and giving others a benefit of the doubt. Such noble thoughts will elevate our thinking and behavior.
4. Use Positive Self-Affirmations. Conscious thought alone may not be enough to break the cycle of negative thinking. We will need to use systematic positive self-talk to program the subconscious. Swamiji suggests that we use positive affirmations to transform negative self-talk into positive statements. Use an affirmation that will strengthen you. An example is to chant the divine name of God and tell yourself: “God and Guru unconditionally love and protect me. They guide me on this difficult path, grace me with true knowledge, faith and devotion so I may develop selfless love. I will inspire myself to learn to apply the divine knowledge they teach.” 
5. Rely on Spiritual Support. All the above strategies will become easier if we focus the mind on devotional aspects like the names, characteristics, virtues, leelas, abodes, and saints of God for inspiration. This can be done through the practice of daily sadhana to detach from worldly associations and attach the mind to God and Guru. Devotional sentiments will gradually lead to purification of the mind through self-effort and divine grace. Purer the mind, less the negativity. 
6. Satsang with Like-Minded Devotees. While it is very important to avoid kusang (i.e., bad associations), it is equally important to surround ourselves with positive and like-minded devotees through Satsang. Spiritually advanced devotees can inspire us to think positively and help sustain a devotional mindset.