Quite often we find ourselves with many negative thoughts going through our mind. These trains of thoughts can become very powerful as we endlessly repeat them in our mind. The problem is that that the more we focus on the thoughts, the more powerful they become. Therefore, it can become very difficult to stop these endless cycles of thoughts.
However, it is definitely possible and these are a few tips to control our thoughts.
1. Make a conscious decision to Stop the thoughts
The problem is that sometimes we attach ourselves to certain ideas and problems, and we subconsciously get a kind of pleasure from going through a certain problem / issue. If we subconsciously keep inviting the thoughts, we will never be able to stop them. Therefore, the first stage is to make a clear and conscious decision to stop the repetition of the thoughts. Be aware of their negative impact and don’t allow them to come any more. This conscious step is an indispensable stage in controlling our thoughts.
2. Look upon the Thoughts as being Outside of yourself.
When we first try to stop the thoughts, it seems very difficult because they feel such a strong part of our mind. Therefore, the second stage is to feel that the thoughts are separate to our self. When a thought appears in your mind, look upon the thought as coming from outside yourself. This is a very powerful way to reduce the impact of thoughts on our mind. Once we realise our thoughts are separate to ourselves it becomes possible to stop them.
3. Who is it who listens to thoughts?
This is a technique to try and discover the origination of your thoughts. Whenever a thought appears, just ask yourself, who is it who is thinking this? What we do is to try and discover the source of thoughts. Through asking this question we realise that there is an “I” which can decide to accept or reject thoughts. By asking this question we will be able to stop the thoughts as soon as they enter. You are not a victim of your own thoughts, it is you who either rejects or gives life to thoughts.
4. Catch thoughts as soon as they appear.
This exercise requires a determined effort on our part. We need to be vigilant and watch every thought that enters our mind. As soon as we see a negative thought enter, we must immediately discard it and refuse to follow it. The more we follow thoughts, the more difficult it becomes to stop them later. Therefore, it is best to catch them as soon as possible.
5. Concentrate on Something else.
If we have a train of thoughts which have gained a stranglehold over our mind, the best solution is often to just try and do something completely different. Don’t just sit around, go and do something which gives you no opportunity to ruminate over your thoughts. By doing this we ignore the thoughts completely, and they lose there hold over us.
“Wrong thoughts are inside us just because we identify ourselves with these thoughts. If we identify with something else, immediately they have to leave us.”
- Sri Chinmoy [1]
6. Meditation
Meditation is the best way to learn how to control our thoughts. Meditation involves the art of concentration and quietening the mind. In meditation we not only try to control our thoughts but we also can bring to the fore our inner qualities of peace and oneness. If we can invoke the calming power of our own heart, then we use an alternative force to take the place of the negative mind.
“The mind has its own power, and right now this power is stronger than your present eagerness and determination to meditate. But if you can get help from your heart, then gradually you will be able to control your mind. The heart, in turn, gets constant assistance from the soul, which is all light and all power.”
- Sri Chinmoy [2]
We should meditate every day so that we can bring to the fore as much as peace as possible into our mind. If we only meditate when we are overrun with thoughts, we will find meditation very difficult. But, if we gain peace of mind through our daily meditation then we develop our inner capacities to control our thoughts.
Related:
References
[1] Mind Confusion – Heart Illumination at Sri Chinmoy Library
[2] The Silent Mind
Photo By Unmesh Swanson,
thanks for the post.it was a timely article with the best of advice. cheers =)
excellent points on controlling thoughts…looking forward to employing your tips.
it’s very good and i think it wii really work for me . i am in great need for it . i am suffering a lot that’s why these ideas are best for me.
Thanks for such a useful information. Every point is worthy.
Realised the need of meditation in daily life to get a proper control of my mind.
i cant we able to control my thought from last 1 year but from now i promise my self that now i will never follow my bad ideas & became a good person
Thanks for useful information. It really work if we practice more and more we can control our thoughts…..
i ll start practising meditation from today
and ll ve give feedback………..
i actually have a question!! how do we know whether that thought is good or bad??? sometimes some thoughts may seem terrible but they do good to us… and sometimes few thoughts seem good but they ruin u up!!! we can know whether that thought is good or not until we know it’s impact according to the conditions!! so i think keeping good and bad thoughts in a balanced state is the best thing!! is wht i said right or wrong????
vineel; assuming step 3 has been read, step 1 will result thus step 1 will continue or step 2 will progress ( bad or good, result decree; plaudit good or bad whatever effect invited.) Balancing ostensive “good/bad” depending on the amount of concentration is right, so long sad & happy.
…i hope i can follow it …..oops ..i will follow it
Most diificult and basic science of control of thoughts is dealt with in very inspiring and guiding manner.Is useful for every person only when it is brought in practice especially on medititation…… inspiring……..illuminating. Regards and thanks.
thanks . i think it will be effective
u are not your thought, trying to control the free mechansim of your thought tool is silly. peace n love doods, knowledge, strength, courage. love, liberty.
Having a positive feeling already
good article.tks
When a thought appears in your mind, look upon the thought as coming from outside yourself. This is a very powerful way to reduce the impact of thoughts on our mind……a great thought!!!!!!!!!
@DRAD and Vineela,
I think you guys are both talking about ‘intuition’ and that this is something you feel, physically within you when you react to a thought. Is it whether you are conscious of the physical reaction or not the key question?
If a thought doesn’t quite sit right with us in some way, our bodies respond, because they are alive. Each of our cells (in their billions) has a sensory function. This flow of life occurs at a level that requires a particular state of consciousness to then enable controlling our conscious reactions.
Consider these expressions: ‘trusting your gut instinct’; ‘listening to your heart’; ‘respecting the vibe’; ‘going with the flow’. These are all physical manifestations of particular etheric energies.
For me, this ‘being the change we want to see in our lives’. As a great poet said: ‘the answer is blowing in the wind’.