The ‘Problem’ of Negative Thoughts
this is a post by Colin Drake:
... If mind/thoughts are ephemeral objects, why does it appear that the ones that are arising at the mind/body level are always "negative"? ...
Here is Colin's reply:
"It is not my experience (luckily) that thoughts at the mind/body level are always negative. In fact my level of enjoyment of the natural world through the senses engenders many positive thoughts of joy, bliss, ecstasy etc … Also I am very fortunate to be blessed with a mind that always looks for the silver-lining (or positive) in any given situation. I suspect that one can foster this by practice, whenever any apparently negative situation arises just examine it objectively and see whether it has any positive elements. If so, then value these more highly than the seemingly negative ones.
However, I do get what you are asking and I suspect that it is tied up with the main function of the mind as a problem-solving device, one’s on-board computer. For positive thoughts do not present any problem and are thus not grist to the mill of a problem-solver. Whereas negative thoughts often present (apparent) problems that need to be addressed and in this way can be very useful.
For example, say you are planning an outdoor party. Now the positive (optimistic) mind will say that the weather will be fine so no need to worry. On the other hand, the negative (pessimistic) mind will say that it will probably rain and this will ruin the event. This, however, gives an opportunity for the mind to do its thing and plan for rain by producing a plan B. So the optimistic mind full of positive thoughts will be undone by the bad weather whereas the pessimistic mind full of negative thoughts will have the problem covered.
The problem is that the mind is continually searching for problems to solve and if none are present it will either needlessly speculate about the future or wallow in the past looking for the causes of our present problems hoping by this to understand and solve them. If this doesn’t produce any problem-solving work it will consider the present in a negative light to see if it can’t come up with a problem to solve!
However, none of this is a problem if one is not identified with the mind but with the Pure Awareness in which it appears. In this case the mind will slowly settle as it runs out of problems to solve and is put into its place as a servant (or instrument) and not the master (or the essence). Whereas, if one is identified as the mind then even the (non-existent) problem of negative thoughts just gives it more fuel to run on!
To see more on this subject please re-read chapter one of Beyond The Separate Self which is aptly titled ‘The Problem’!
Hope this is of some help and not a problem … Love, Colin"
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