Being caught up in a negative state of mind is something most of us can relate to. Hopefully not always, but from time to time, we just feel blue.
Due to impermanence, the mind goes from one extreme state to another. It swings like a pendulum between the poles of duality.
Extreme joy, extreme sadness.
Excited, stressed out.
In ecstasy, depressed.
So it goes, when we are hanging on to this pendulum of Samsara.
The intention of this article is not to elaborate on how to get rid of duality, but we shall focus on what to do when the mind is stuck in this negative state.
Before we begin, the author would like to acknowledge that depression is not something to be taken lightly. We are most definitely not implying that this article is the antidote to depression, but it is definitely worth considering when our mind is caught up in negativity.
So, let's discuss.
When we are stuck in this negative state of mind, the mind projects everything in a negative light. Imagine that we are wearing yellow-tinted glasses. Everything we look at will be yellow. Even white snow, the blue sky, our hands, it all becomes yellow-stained.
The same applies to our negative mind. This filter of negativity labels everything as 'problem' and 'bad' even though they're not really 'bad' or 'problems'. It is just how the mind reflects it.
Fortunately, we know that impermanence will take care of this, and we know for sure that it shall pass. In the meantime, what can we do to brighten up our lives? How can we drag this mind out of the mud?
Well, we can turn to thankfulness, to gratitude.
Again, we are not implying that it is easy to be thankful when the mind is negative, but it is definitely worth trying.
Due to impermanence, the mind goes from one extreme state to another. It swings like a pendulum between the poles of duality.
Extreme joy, extreme sadness.
Excited, stressed out.
In ecstasy, depressed.
So it goes, when we are hanging on to this pendulum of Samsara.
The intention of this article is not to elaborate on how to get rid of duality, but we shall focus on what to do when the mind is stuck in this negative state.
Before we begin, the author would like to acknowledge that depression is not something to be taken lightly. We are most definitely not implying that this article is the antidote to depression, but it is definitely worth considering when our mind is caught up in negativity.
So, let's discuss.
A filter of negativity
As we know very well, when we are feeling negative or depressed, there is very little that can cheer us up. Even direct solutions to our projected 'problems' has no effect on us.When we are stuck in this negative state of mind, the mind projects everything in a negative light. Imagine that we are wearing yellow-tinted glasses. Everything we look at will be yellow. Even white snow, the blue sky, our hands, it all becomes yellow-stained.
The same applies to our negative mind. This filter of negativity labels everything as 'problem' and 'bad' even though they're not really 'bad' or 'problems'. It is just how the mind reflects it.
Fortunately, we know that impermanence will take care of this, and we know for sure that it shall pass. In the meantime, what can we do to brighten up our lives? How can we drag this mind out of the mud?
Well, we can turn to thankfulness, to gratitude.
Again, we are not implying that it is easy to be thankful when the mind is negative, but it is definitely worth trying.
Surrounded by blessings
So, we start to look around us. We may find ourselves in a room, on our bed, or something similar. Maybe even at work or in our car.
Immediately, we can consider how fortunate we are to have a room, a bed, a car, a work. Even though we feel miserable, we have something that millions of people pray for each day.
We can look at our bodies - they function more or less one hundred percent. We can visit the toilet alone, or we can feed ourselves. Also, at least all or some of our senses are working, and we can read or listen to Dharma.
We can think of all the people suffering much more than us. If we find this difficult to do, we can just turn on the news or pick up a newspaper. Or more likely, open the news app on our cellphones. Within seconds, we read about wars, famine, violence, and more. So, we read about this and reflect on the lives of the people we read about...
Soon, we start to realize that we actually have so much to be thankful for. Our lives are going so well. Yes, we may have a small room, we may have an old car or a hard job, but hey, first of all, we have something that so many people wish for. Secondly, we can change our situations, is this not true? If we don't like something, we can do something about it. We can either change our minds, or we can change the situation.
We realize that things are actually not as bad as they seem, and we have the power to transform this negativity into gratitude and even compassion!
To conclude, gratitude is a good medicine for the negative mind but, this merely a treatment for suffering, and not the ultimate cure.
Immediately, we can consider how fortunate we are to have a room, a bed, a car, a work. Even though we feel miserable, we have something that millions of people pray for each day.
We can look at our bodies - they function more or less one hundred percent. We can visit the toilet alone, or we can feed ourselves. Also, at least all or some of our senses are working, and we can read or listen to Dharma.
We can think of all the people suffering much more than us. If we find this difficult to do, we can just turn on the news or pick up a newspaper. Or more likely, open the news app on our cellphones. Within seconds, we read about wars, famine, violence, and more. So, we read about this and reflect on the lives of the people we read about...
Soon, we start to realize that we actually have so much to be thankful for. Our lives are going so well. Yes, we may have a small room, we may have an old car or a hard job, but hey, first of all, we have something that so many people wish for. Secondly, we can change our situations, is this not true? If we don't like something, we can do something about it. We can either change our minds, or we can change the situation.
We realize that things are actually not as bad as they seem, and we have the power to transform this negativity into gratitude and even compassion!
To conclude, gratitude is a good medicine for the negative mind but, this merely a treatment for suffering, and not the ultimate cure.
What do we do? As always, we check up!
We check up who is negative, who is depressed. Through effective self-inquiry, we come to the understanding that all along, there was no one to be sad, no one to be depressed.
Peace, absence of lack, freedom. This is what we truly are.
Related articles on this blog:
True Freedom - 08 February, 2021
Waking up, Part 1 - 30 December, 2021
An opportunity for Transformation - 01 November, 2020
We check up who is negative, who is depressed. Through effective self-inquiry, we come to the understanding that all along, there was no one to be sad, no one to be depressed.
Peace, absence of lack, freedom. This is what we truly are.
 |
| Just like grey skies, the negative state of mind is also bound to change. |
Related articles on this blog:
True Freedom - 08 February, 2021
Waking up, Part 1 - 30 December, 2021
An opportunity for Transformation - 01 November, 2020
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