Hello, friends!
Many people ask me, "Sir, what should we do when negative thoughts come into our minds?" In this session, I will explain how to deal with negative thoughts and free yourself from their trap using a scientific approach. Please pay close attention and understand this well.
There are three effective ways to overcome negative thoughts. If you follow these, you can completely free yourself from them.
Step 1: Don't Try to Stop Negative Thoughts
The first thing to remember is that you should not try to suppress or stop negative thoughts. When negative thoughts arise, let them come. The moment you tell yourself, “I shouldn’t be thinking this,” your brain actually reinforces those thoughts. This happens due to a psychological phenomenon called the "paradoxical loop."
Many people struggle with this because the more they try to block negative thoughts, the stronger and more persistent they become. These thoughts could be about family, sexual topics, fear of death, health issues, or even a heart attack. The key is to accept that these thoughts can arise rather than fighting them.
Additionally, do not avoid situations that trigger these thoughts. Many people start avoiding places, people, or situations that make them anxious. However, avoidance is a form of escapism, and it reinforces the problem instead of solving it.
Step 2: Question the Reality of Your Thoughts
The second step is to analyze the reality of these thoughts. Negative thoughts are often misinterpretations of reality. Our brain takes external information and creates an internal story, which may not always be accurate.
For example, imagine you’re sitting in a room, and you hear a strange noise outside. You ask your child to check what it is, and based on their interpretation, you react accordingly. Similarly, our brain interprets situations and forms perceptions. If your perception is incorrect, it can create unnecessary fear, anxiety, or stress.
Many people say, “My life is perfectly fine, but I still feel anxious and restless.” This happens because their brain is misinterpreting reality, creating a negative story that doesn’t actually exist. If something were truly negative, it would impact everyone the same way. But when only you feel it negatively, it means the issue is with your interpretation, not reality itself.
So, the next step is to remind yourself:
This is just a thought.
My brain is misinterpreting reality.
Nothing is actually wrong; it’s just my imagination.
Step 3: Be Patient—Change Takes Time
Once you understand this process, you might wonder, “Now that I know all this, why are the negative thoughts still coming?” The answer is simple: understanding is just the first step; practicing and rewiring your brain takes time.
Negative thought patterns have developed over a long period, so changing them won’t happen overnight. Just like learning a new skill, it requires consistent effort and practice. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques can help rewire
