It has been said "you can not afford a negative thought." Sadly our minds are frequently filled with negative thoughts, sourced from negative beliefs, painful or shameful memories and the negative messages we have received about ourselves throughout our lives. No one knows the extent to which these thinking patterns affect our lives, but in the least we know they create happiness and limit our self-expression, at worst it is believed they contribute to death and disease.
Negative thinking becomes like an infectious plague that we pass around from one to the other. Sometimes we exchange negativity back and forth in an "energetic slinging match". With each exchange its power increases and our emotional wounds, self-doubt, negative belief and overall negativity deepens and intensifies. How do we step out of this negativity that we have accumulated over a lifetime? How do we prevent ourselves from falling foul of the next putdown or slap in the face that comes our way?
The power of positive thinking appears to have had a re-birth over recent times. Perhaps due to the popularity of such publications as "The Secret". However I am personally not convinced that this is the answer. Our negative thinking is based on illusion and lies. Lies fed to us about ourselves. Lies ingrained in the depths of our collective conciousness. Lies that have been perpetuated over generations becoming fundamental beliefs in our culture.
Positive thinking is based on the same source. It is the other side of the same coin. It is based in the same illusion as our negative thinking and little more than a reaction to it. This only empowers the negativity making it appear more real. Let me explain.
Ancient spiritual teachings and Quantam Physics tell us that the physical world is essentially an illusion. It is a good illusion, a powerful illusion and an illusion created to serve a very high purpose, but an illusion never-the-less. To awaken means to shift ones consciouness from the illusion to the reality behind the illusion, or it's source. Our negative thinking is based in the illusion. Yes, our memories, experiences, pain and victories are not actually real. As real they may seem to be, there is a higher reality and a higher truth about you and about me. So it follows, if we begin to think positively about the illusion - our thinking is still not based in reality. Too often we look to the illusion around us, our ego needs and wants as the source of positive thinking. In this way we remain slaves to the illusion.
So how can we change? What can we do to awaken and break the cycle of illusive thinking? Rather than changing our thoughts, it is a matter of clearing the mind of thought - negative and positive. Our minds have become like busy, bustling cities. Tall buildings, market places, people racing around performing their business. In order to build these cities we have ripped up trees, flattened hills, dug deep holes and continue to poison the natural environment. However if our cities were abandoned - grew still and silent - over time they would begin to revert to their natural state. Weather would wear down buildings, first weeds would sprout in the pavement, then plants and trees. Animals would start to inhabit the streets and buildings and very gradually the peace, beauty and serenity of nature would return to the once bustling and toxic city.
The same is true with our minds. Our our human spirit is of the same substance as nature. If we clear the mind of all negativity and allow it to return to its natural state, we can let spirit rather than memory flow through and manifest conciousness. Left to its own devices, nature (spirit) is capable of amazing things. Positive thinking is only a reaction to negative thinking and is based on the same illusion. It just builds a different type of city. We do not want to cultivate positive thinking but rather a spirit-filled mind.
This requires us to shift our consciousness or awareness from our mind to our spirit - our true nature or inner-self. This is place within us of unconditional love, peace and stillness. A place we often forget as we focus our awareness on the outer world of our will, thoughts and feelings. In truth our body and ego is a vehicle for the devine creative nature within us. For years, like a rebellious child I ignored the wisdom of this inner-parent or guide, genuinely believing and determined to demonstrate that my way worked, or I knew best. I was blessed to be guided to my inner-self or spirit and learn to let go of the illusion of the outer world and ego. My mental city is slowly crumbling. Cars and pedestrians still frequent the streets but there is a gentle breeze wafting through and a crispness about the air. People aren't in a hurry anymore and nature is emerging everywhere. This is because I learnt to let go of all of my thoughts and allow my thinking to become infused and led by spirit.
If you'd like to know more about connecting with your spirit feel free to leave a comment or tune in to future blogs.
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