If you think you can - and if you think you can't - in both
cases, you are right. This pithy saying illustrates not just the power of
attitude, but also a scientific and spiritual truth. One of the most
significant scientific developments of the last century was the discovery of
the mind-body connection. Medical researchers dis-covered that our thoughts can
both hurt and heal us. Psychosomatic illnesses as well as phobias illustrate
the power of thoughts to negatively influence the body. Positive thoughts have
been observed to increase endorphin levels, which are conducive to vibrant
physical health. Conversely, negative thoughts are seen to increase adrenalin
levels, which sap bodily vigor. Placebo effect - the surprising medical
observation that patients who believe that they are under proper medication
recover even if administered just sugar pills - signifies that thoughts can
activate healing. The upcoming field of psychoneuro-immunology is based on the
correlation between mental strength and physical immunity.
Spiritually, thoughts don't just determine things; thoughts
are things, albeit in subtle form. The Bhagavad-gita (8.6) declares that our
thoughts determine our future - both in this life and the next. So
scientifically and spiritually, positive thinking is desirable and beneficial.
Is positive thinking an inborn trait or can it be cultivated? By genetic
influ-ence, which is a result of good karma from past lives, some people may
have a greater tendency to see the “silver lining in the cloud”, than others. But
upbringing and associa-tion also influence our thinking abilities. And most
importantly, our thoughts are deter-mined not as much by our conditionings or
conditions as by our own choices. So all of us have the potential to tap the
power of thoughts and become positive thinkers if we acquire the necessary
knowledge and training.
Lets do a quick thought exercise: sit down in a peaceful
place, breath deeply and observe our thoughts. We can classify the observed
thoughts into four categories-
We will soon realize that our default thoughts often tend
to be either waste or negative, resulting in absentmindedness or de-pression
respectively. By vigilance and diligence, we can train ourselves to reject the
negative and waste thoughts - or, better still, replace them with positive. If
we consciously cultivate this habit, we will soon find ourselves mentally and
physically stronger in facing life's ups and downs.
Spiritual thinking enables us to further tap the power of
thoughts by raising our life to a higher, more empowering dimension. Positive
thinking is very difficult when confronted with ex-tremely negative
circumstances such as shattering of cherished plans or outrageous behavior of
others. Spiritual knowledge enables us to go far beyond positive perception of
reality to perception of positive reality. As long as we are spiritually
unin-formed, positive thinking alone will fall short in tackling the nega-tive
realities of life. Nothing illustrates this often-overlooked limitation of
positive thinking more than the greatest - and the most neglected - truth of
life: death. If a loved one passes away, will positive thinking bring back that
person? If someone is afflicted by a terminal disease, will positive thinking
save that person from imminent death?
Spiritual positive thinking enables us to understand and
harmonize with the spiritual positive purpose of our existence. We are all
souls, spiritual beings, beloved children of God and are entitled to rejoice in
eternal loving exchanges with Him. The truly positive purpose of our present
human lives is to awaken our dormant love for God, experience His unlimited
love for us and ultimately returning back to His everlasting abode of
ever-increasing bliss. Spiritual enlightenment blesses us with the vision to
see all events in our life as expression of God's love for us. Spiritual
empowerment enables us to choose our actions so that they become expressions of
our love for Him. No wonder Jesus declared loving God wholeheartedly as the
most important commandment. The very word Islam refers to loving surrender to
God. The Bhagavad-gita unequivocally declares constant devotional meditation on
God, Krishna , as the pinnacle in the evolution
of human thinking. We can most easily and effectively experience God's love for
us and express our love for Him by chanting His bona fide Holy Names like
Jehovah, Allah and Krishna . God being
omnipotent fully manifests Himself in His Names and gives us the strength to
reject negative and waste thoughts and fills our mind with positive spiritual
thoughts. Thus spiritual positive thinking enables us to live positively by
harnessing our latent positive spiritual energy. And at the time of death, it
will enable us to leave positively by opening the door to eternal life. Hence
cultivating loving thoughts for loving God is the ultimate key for tapping the
power of thoughts.
From - Spiritual Scientist
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