Starting Anew
Understanding the Current State
Feeling Stuck: Even after significant efforts to move forward, you may find yourself still feeling unhappy or lost. This is often because of unconscious patterns wired into the nervous system through past experiences.
Unfinished Work: While you have done everything you can to process your past, certain unresolved feelings or habits may persist. These include guilt, regret, or a sense of not knowing how to move forward.
Duality of Feelings: Hope and sadness can coexist. It is possible to desire happiness while simultaneously feeling overwhelmed by a lack of clarity.
Truth and the Mind
The Mind is Not Always True
The mind can be deceptive, and if we blindly believe what it says or entertain detrimental thoughts, we are creating our own suffering. Thoughts of guilt, regret, or wishing to change the past often arise, but if these thoughts are not rooted in truth, they will feel wrong or heavy.
Observe Your Thoughts:
Are they truthful?
Do they align with the part of you that feels clear and resonant?
When the mind creates suffering, refocus your life force energy on asserting and aligning with your inner truth. Ask yourself: Where is my life force going now? How much am I believing what my mind is saying? Remember, if what your mind says is true, it will not feel so bad or dissonant.
Your Mind is Asking a Question
When your mind asks, Could I have done more?, take the time to seek an answer that feels resolved and satisfying. This exploration may take you beyond where you are now or lead you to accept the past.
Acceptance means recognising the decisions you made and using the lessons from those experiences to shape your future relationships. Reflecting on the past is not about self-punishment but about learning and growing.
Transforming Negative Thoughts Into Wisdom
The Dual Nature of Thoughts
Every negative thought carries within it the seed of wisdom or a positive insight waiting to emerge. Negative thoughts, when observed consciously, reveal areas of growth, alignment, or understanding. The key is to not resist or suppress them but to work with them intentionally, using their energy to uncover the wisdom they carry.
The Conscious Act of Transformation
Negative thoughts, such as guilt, regret, or fear, are often automatic and habitual. To transform them into wisdom, we must make a conscious effort to:
Acknowledge the Thought: Instead of rejecting or denying a negative thought, allow it to exist. This creates the space to observe it without judgment.
Seek the Wisdom Within: Ask yourself, What is this thought teaching me? What truth or insight lies hidden within it?
Actively Engage With the Positive: Once the wisdom or positive action is recognised, make it a conscious choice to embody or apply it.
Examples of Transformation
Guilt:
Negative Thought: "I shouldn’t have said that."
Wisdom: Guilt can point to the value of mindfulness in communication. The positive action is to commit to speaking more thoughtfully in the future.
Conscious Practice: Reflect on how you can approach similar situations with compassion and clarity.
Regret:
Negative Thought: "I wasted so much time."
Wisdom: Regret highlights the importance of presence and meaningful action. The positive action is to focus on how you spend your time now.
Conscious Practice: Set an intention to align your daily actions with your values.
Fear:
Negative Thought: "I can’t do this; it’s too overwhelming."
Wisdom: Fear often indicates an opportunity for courage and growth. The positive action is to take a small step forward despite the fear.
Conscious Practice: Break down the task into manageable parts and celebrate each step you take.
The Wisdom-Positive Connection
Wisdom teachers have often pointed out that the negative mind is not the enemy—it is a mirror. By consciously working with it, we discover the balance and harmony that lie beyond reactive thought. For every negative impulse, there is an equal and opposite potential for growth.
Practical Steps for Working With Negative Thoughts
Pause and Reflect: When a negative thought arises, take a moment to pause and reflect on its nature.
Ask Questions:
Is this thought true?
What lesson or insight is this thought offering me?
What action can I take to align with the positive or wisdom within this thought?
Choose Wisely: Redirect your energy to act in alignment with the wisdom you uncover.
A Conscious Practice
This practice requires discipline and awareness. At first, it may feel like a struggle to work with negative thoughts. Over time, however, this conscious engagement becomes second nature, and you start seeing negative thoughts as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.
Remember: Every negative thought is an invitation to uncover the wisdom within. The more consciously you engage with this process, the more aligned and empowered you become.