Mind Matters: Three Step Formula to Drown Out Negativity

“Have you ever noticed how easily those negative thoughts slip into your mind? It’s as if they sneak in without permission, much like germs spreading when someone’s sick. And once they’re there, they can make everything feel downcast — a never-ending loop of feeling bad. It’s almost as if they pull in more and more negative thoughts, trapping you in a cloud of gloominess. When they linger, they leave us feeling gloomy, pessimistic, and distracted from our work.

However, just as we take precautions to avoid getting sick, we can also learn to fend off these negative thoughts and find a brighter way of thinking. I’m truly fascinated by the idea that there’s an answer to every life problem. With the right knowledge, we can be impactful, optimistic, and happy consistently.

Just as we consult a doctor for physical ailments, I look up to my spiritual teacher, Swami Mukundananda, who is an authority in Mind Management with more than three decades of experience as a spiritual counselor, for life’s challenges. In his book, Power of Thoughts,

Swami Mukundananda explains a 3-step formula:

1. Dilution — Ignore the negative thought. Forcing yourself to stop thinking about it will only reinforce it. Instead, remind yourself that your mind is playing games and choose to ignore or not accept it. This reduces the negative thought’s impact. For example, if you receive a nasty email from a colleague and feel compelled to respond, try focusing on the enjoyable time you have planned with your family later in the evening.

2. Substitution — Replace the negative thought with a positive one. For instance, if someone is rude to you, replace bitterness with understanding. Consider that there might be something deep troubling the other person, or remind yourself that not everyone is always bad.

3. Sublimation — Guide your thought towards a positive idea and attach your mind to it, making it difficult for negative thoughts to enter.

Healthy thoughts function as immunity boosters for the mind. Just as we nourish our bodies with healthy food, it’s equally important to nourish our minds with positive thoughts. Just as a single dose of vitamin C won’t provide significant benefits, regular intake is necessary to shield against seasonal flu. Similarly, we need a continuous influx of positive thoughts to counter the impact of negative ones.

It’s truly amazing to see how Swami Mukundananda bridges the wisdom of modern scientists and their studies with the teachings of ancient scriptures.

Check out this video to learn more : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLKbRk-78eU