“It is thought which is the propelling force in us. Fill the mind with the highest thoughts, hear them day after day, think them month after month. “– Swami Vivekananda
Our minds are filled with countless thoughts during the course of the day. Since they are “just thoughts”, we tend to take them for granted.
However thoughts have the power to effect physical and mental changes. They even have the power to alter destiny!
From a scientific perspective, every thought generates brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. This chemical information is passed on from one neuron or nerve cell to another, creating neural pathways. These pathways are akin to physical signatures of our thoughts. The more we travel along a particular pathway, the more solid it becomes.
“As you think, so shall you become”- Bruce Lee
Our mental reactions to circumstances in life become deeply ingrained in our brains via these neural pathways and form the basis of decision making. It is thus important to make sure our decision making process is rooted in optimism, rather than pessimism. Pessimistic thoughts over time, lead to lack of motivation in the face of challenging circumstances, poor decisions, and ultimately failure. We thus create our own destiny by the simple act of thinking! Additionally, repeated negative thinking causes stress. Stress has physical effects on the body such as reduced immunity. It also increases blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease in the long term.
The good news is that our brain has the ability to rewire itself. We can, through the force of habit, create neural pathways associated with uplifting thoughts. Positive thoughts are known to generate a neurotransmitter called serotonin which produces a relaxing effect on the mind and body. There is an entire field of science called neuroplasticity devoted to the brain’s ability to reprogram itself.
While science focuses on the physical and mental manifestation of thoughts, the ancient Indian scriptures go a step further and tell us to pay attention to the generator of these thoughts – the mind.
The “Yog Vasishtha” (a conversation between Lord Ram and his spiritual preceptor, Sage Vasishtha) explains that the mind is disturbed due to negative thoughts, such as anxiety, hatred, tension, regret, remorse, lamentation, etc. This causes a disturbance at the level of the pranas, or the “life-giving forces.” This manifests in the next stage, i.e. in the physical body, as disease. If we wish to cure disease from the root, we must first address the mind.
Having a positive frame of mind also helps us in the spiritual journey, which can be fraught with challenges. If we despair at the first sign of trouble, we will not develop inner strength.
“Mana eva manushyanam karanam bandha mokshayoh” – Panchadashi
The mind alone is the cause of bondage and liberation.
While we cannot be sure of what circumstances will come our way, training our minds to accept them as the grace of God will enable us to remain positive and fill us with much needed strength and perseverance in the spiritual journey. Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj says that despair is the opposite of surrender. The optimistic acceptance of God’s will in our lives also constitutes a key aspect of surrender, which in turn attracts more divine grace and hastens our spiritual progress.
“It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.” – Invictus by William Ernest Henley
