When you go through challenging times, you fail to see the good side of the situation. The reality is, that your anxiety doesn’t let you see things. This mindset gives a lot of anxiety to you and creates negativity in your mind. Once you are stuck with negative thoughts, it leads to stress and several stress-related problems which are harmful to your health (1).
Once you read and understand it, you will get rid of all the negativity from your life no matter what the situation you are in!
So let’s start with simple ideas to eliminate negative thoughts. They will remind you that better days are on the way.
7 Things To Remember When Negative Thoughts Attack Your Mind
1. Life’s ups and downs
Life is like the ocean. It goes up and down. As high waves follow low waves, good times come after tough times. So, don’t let anxiety give you negative thoughts. Trust that tough times can’t last forever.
2. Analysis of the situation
Write your situation on paper rather than calculating the whole of it in your mind. Now, focus on what you can do about it instead of crying. Remember, worrying doesn’t help. Just figure out: How can you turn it for your good? There must be something which you can work on.
There must be a way around you to find out this time. You just have to believe, it’s not the dead-end. There is a way around it. Once you believe it, you find it easy to work on finding ways.
3. Growing through challenges
Remember the tough times you’ve faced before. Notice how you grew stronger.
Challenges can be like teachers which help you become more resilient. You find the powerful version of yourself.
4. Your power to adapt & overcome negative thoughts
You have a power called adaptability. With its help, you learn to accept things and find solutions. So, no matter what has happened, you will survive this.
You just need to trust that you can adapt to overcome challenges and face the future with bravery.
5. Every cloud has a silver lining
You have heard multiple times; that adversity doesn’t come to break you. If you will observe, challenges come for a reason. You just need to recognise the lesson behind it.
Learn your lesson and train your mind to find good things. Like every cloud has a silver lining, difficulties bring chances to grow stronger and transform positively.
6. Supportive connections
If possible, surround yourself with friends, and family who love you. It gives you strength and encouragement.
Even if you don’t have friends, you can find connections virtually. If not virtual, then in the characters of a drama or your idols. Look carefully, there is always something to help you because the universe works that way.
7. The gift of patience
In Hinduism, there is a great place for patience. The person who has this gift can conquer God.
You learn to practice this virtue.
Understand that positive changes take time. Always believe in the process. Don’t panic and take care of yourself.
Explore Hindu Wisdom To Build a Positive Mindset
I am Hindu by birth, but I used to be an atheist. Shocking things happened, my world went upside down. I would have lost control over my mind if I hadn’t understood the principle of karma & detachment.
Drawing from the rich spiritual heritage, try to understand the following principles:
1. Karma and Detachment
It says to perform your actions with positive intent, but not to detach from the outcomes. However, you must check that your actions are guided by Dharma (righteousness).
Difficult no? Not really! If you dedicate all your actions to God/universe, you won’t get attached to its results. And God is never wrong, he will always take care of your needs. This is called Karma Yoga.
This teaches us to focus only on doing our best without being overly attached to specific results. If you follow this principle, you will get peace of mind.
2. The concept of Dharma
I mentioned Dharma above. It doesn’t refer to any specific religion. Your Dharma is your rightful duty.
Every person has his own Dharma. For example, a doctor’s Dharma is to treat his patients, a lawyer’s Dharma is to fight for justice, and a father’s Dharma is to look after his kids rightfully. So, you need to explore your dharma, your righteous duty or purpose in life.
If you live & work by your dharma, you bring balance and harmony. Working on your true purpose provides a sense of direction and fulfilment.
3. The power of Mantra
Mantras are very powerful. They bring positive energy and empower your mind. Hinduism says to engage in the repetition of uplifting mantras.
It’s not necessary to engage only in traditional Vedic chants, they can be your affirmations too. The vibrational energy of mantras can positively influence your mind and calm internal mental conflict.
4. Yoga as a union
Incorporate yoga into your daily routine. It’s not just a physical exercise, it’s a holistic practice union of mind, body, and spirit.
Some yogic postures like Uttanasana can curb your stress within 10 minutes. Science has already proven the remedial benefits of Yoga.
Besides postures, there are breath control exercises (pranayama) and meditation for depression and anxiety. Through yoga, you can attain a state of balance and inner tranquillity.
Suggested:
5. Bhakti and devotion
Once you take an interest in Bhakti, you will not get attached to this material world. Doing bhakti is difficult initially, but it gives miraculous results. You become a fearless personality.
In simple language, Bhakti refers to the devotion to a higher power or divine force. You have to cultivate a deep sense of trust and surrender, understanding that there is a greater cosmic order at play. This surrender alleviates the burden of constant worry.
6. Cycle of life (Samsara)
In this principle, you have to reflect on the cyclical nature of life, known as samsara. Nothing remains permanent. If you feel happy today, you are going to face challenges tomorrow. This is a never-ending cycle until you get salvation.
Just as seasons change, life has its ebbs and flows. If you embrace this cyclical nature, you can find solace during challenging times. You will understand that change is an inherent part of existence.
7. Mindful meditation (Dhyana)
In Hindu traditions, meditation refers to focusing your attention inward and connecting with divinity within yourself.
If you include this into your lifestyle, you become self-aware and handle negative thought patterns much more effectively.
Bhagavad Gita Verses to Remove Negative Thoughts Permanently
Here are some verses from Gita to help you feel calm & energetic.
Verse 6.5
Sanskrit
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः।।
Transliteration
Uddharedātmanātmānaṁ nātmānamavasādayet
Ātmaiva hyātmano bandhurātmaiva ripurātmanaḥ
Meaning
Let a person lift him by himself. Let him not lower himself. Because the self alone is the friend of oneself. And the self alone is the enemy of oneself.
Explanation
This verse says it’s important to control and motivate yourself. If you lift your spirits, take control of your thoughts, and don’t let negativity affect you, you’ll become stronger inside.
When you positively manage your mind, it becomes your friend. Otherwise, it can turn into an enemy if you let negative thoughts take over.
Verse 5.29
Sanskrit
भोक्तारं यज्ञतपसां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम्।
सुहृदं सर्वभूतानां ज्ञात्वा मां शान्तिमृच्छति।। 5.29।।
Transliteration
bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśvaram
suhṛidaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛicchati
Meaning
When you see Me as the one who enjoys all sacrifices and austerities, the Lord of everything, and the one who cares for and wishes well to all living beings, you find peace from the troubles of material life.
Explanation
This verse tells us to see the divine in everything. Recognizing that the Supreme is the ultimate enjoyer and cares for everyone can bring peace and ease negative thoughts that come from a narrow point of view.
Verse 2.14
Sanskrit
मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः।
आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत।।
Transliteration
Mātrāsparśāstu kaunteya śītoṣṇasukhaduḥkhadāḥ
Āgamāpāyino’nityāstāṁs titikṣasva bhārata
Meaning
Bhagwan Krishna is addressing Arjun, O son of Kunti! Happiness and sadness are temporary. Their nature is non-permanent so they appear & disappear.
You see the winter and summer seasons. They show up because we sense things.
O scion of Bharata! Therefore you should learn to tolerate them without getting all upset.
Explanation
In this verse, Bhagwan Shri Krishna says that you shouldn’t be distributed due to the non-permanent nature of joy and sorrow. They never last forever, just like the winter & summer seasons.
If you teach your mind to understand & accept this temporal nature of the world, you will stay calm and composed. Your mind will follow your orders and remain balanced.
Verse 6.6
Sanskrit
बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः।
अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत्।।
Transliteration
Bandhurātmātmanastasya yenātmaivātmanā jitaḥ
Anātmanastu śatrutve vartetātmaiva śhatrutvat
Meaning
For he who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends. But for one who has failed to do so, his very mind will be the greatest enemy.
Explanation
In this verse, you are told the importance of controlling your mind. As your mind is the reason behind all your joys & sorrows. If you have control over your mind, you can feel happy even amongst difficulties.
In that case, it becomes your best friend. And if you lose control over it, you will feel restless despite having everything. So, it’s your greatest enemy too. So, learn to discipline it to harness its true potential.
Verse 2.47
Sanskrit
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि।। 2.47।।
Transliteration
karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ‘stvakarmaṇi
Meaning
You can do your duties, but you don’t have control over the results. Don’t think you’re the reason for what happens. And don’t get too attached to doing nothing.
Explanation
As I explained above in the Hindu wisdom section, this verse advises doing your duties without getting attached to what comes out of it. If you do your duties only for the greed of the results, you will always suffer.
So, focus on your actions rather than worrying about the results. Only this way, you can lessen the impact of negative thoughts about success or failure.
Buddhist Insights to Manage Negative Thoughts
Buddhism focuses on mindfulness and similar principles to overcome negative thoughts. Learn its perspectives and incorporate them into your life.
1. Impermanence (Anicca)
Similar to Hinduism, Buddhism emphasizes accepting impermanence. The same concept that teaches nothing is permanent, including your negative thoughts. If you recognise the transient nature of mental states, you will remain in constant worry.
This understanding helps you face challenges with more strength and resilience.
2. Mindful Awareness (Sati)
It’s all about paying attention to the present moment. Don’t get attached or disturbed. Just observe your thoughts and feelings closely as an observer. This is called mindful awareness.
When you separate yourself from your thoughts, you find that you are much more than your negative thoughts.
3. Compassion (Metta)
Add kindness to your mindfulness. Be compassionate to others and yourself. Remember everyone faces challenges. And by being kind, you create a positive space for change.
4. Non-Attachment (Detachment)
Similar to the Bhagavad Gita, it teaches not to get too attached. While fully engaging with life, let go of strong expectations and desires. It’s not about leaving your Karma, it’s about getting detached from outcomes.
This helps approach challenges with balance, reducing the hold of negative thoughts.
5. The Eightfold Path
Explore the Eightfold Path in Buddhism. It gives a guide for an aware and enlightened life.
- Right Understanding
- Right Intention
- Right Speech
- Right Action
- Right Livelihood
- Right Effort
- Right Mindfulness
- Right Concentration
6. Mindful Breathing (Anapanasati)
When you focus on your breath, it makes you live only in the present moment. Living in the present makes you break the negative thought patterns.
7. The Middle Way
It refers to finding the balance between extremes. You have to create a balanced mindset. Avoid being overly critical or unrealistically positive.
Hinduism also preaches to keep a sense of equality. It will help you acknowledge challenges while keeping a positive outlook.
8. Mindful Walking (Kinhin)
Include mindful walking, or Kinhin, in your routine. Whether formal or casual, concentrate on each step.
This simple act grounds you in the now and eases the weight of negative thoughts.
Buddhism Verses To Curb Your Useless Thoughts Patterns
Verse from Dhammapada – Verse 223
Pāḷi
तमेवा हितं निज-गामया गमेयं,
नो नाथमेवं विजगभयेय्य माहुज्जी।
सुयाम्भु नाथं परिहाणयंति तथा,
इतोविधानं योजयथा बुद्धसासनं।
Transliteration
Tamevā hitaṁ nija-gāmayā gameyaṁ,
No nāthamevaṁ vijagabhayeyya māhujjī.
Suyāmbhu nāthaṁ parihāṇayanti tathā,
Itovidhānaṁ yojayathā buddhasāsanaṁ.
Meaning
Focus on your own goals; it’s not the same for others. Comparing others doesn’t help, like saying, ‘He’s my boss, and I’m his worker.’ Depending on others is like a scared cow tied to a post.
So, work hard on your own, like an elephant fighting in a battle.
Explanation
This verse tells us it’s better to focus on our goals rather than compare ourselves to others. Depending too much on others can make us feel scared and trapped, like a cow tied to a post.
So, we should work hard on our own, just like a strong elephant fighting in a battle.
Verse from Dhammapada – Verse 3
Pāḷi
आत्मा हि आत्मनो बन्धुरात्मा हि विपुरात्मनः।
आत्मनि सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भवति एकः।
Transliteration
Ātmā hi ātmano bandhur-ātmā hi vipur-ātmanaḥ
Ātmani sarva-bhūteṣu yenaikaṁ bhavati ekaḥ
Meaning
You can save yourself; who else can do it for you? When you control yourself well, you become your hard-to-find saviour.
Explanation
This verse emphasizes being in control of yourself. When you manage your thoughts positively, your mind becomes your own best friend.
It saves you from the difficulties of negative thoughts. So, discipline your mind and master yourself.
Final Words On “How To Stop Negative Thoughts”
First, let me know how you’re feeling now. Are you feeling calmer & happier? If not, you should read the article once again. And if you are failing to understand anything, you can ask in the comment section. You’re not alone in this battle. 🙂
Secondly, if you strictly don’t believe in Karma and spirituality, still you should remember that no phase comes to last forever. Look carefully, there is still something for which you can restart your life. Don’t let negative thoughts control your mind. Persistent negative thinking causes only harm leading to anxiety and depression (2).
Best of luck! 🙂
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