The power of negativity

Negativity has power? Sure it does. Negativity is so strong it will pin you to the spot. It is so powerful that it tries to take over everyone in your vicinity. It is strong enough to stop you from doing anything and everything and gives you a whole load of excuses to boot.

But what negativity is really about is resistance to the present, and usually because we think the present is too, too painful to handle. Negativity comes up when we are fighting it, when we are afraid to look at the situation in the face and be present enough to feel that pain. Unfortunately, the resistance almost always causes much more pain than it would be just to feel what was originally threatening to hurt, but that is something the rational mind cannot comprehend; it is too wrapped up in fear of the pain it foresees.

Is there a cure for negativity? Well there are a number of things you can do about it negativity, but the only real cure is discipline. Here are some ideas:

1) Join the Complaint-Free World movement. In this discipline, you train yourself to stop complaining. Every time you complain (or tell someone else to stop complaining!) you have to move your arm band to the other wrist. The idea is to go 21 days without having to move it. A truly heroic feat!

2) Write a gratitude list everyday for 40 days. List 50 things you are grateful for (or be truly adventurous and write down 100!). You may not use a previous list. You have to write it from scratch each day, although you may repeat what you are grateful for. This exercise quickly dispels negativity - gratitude is the highest discpline.

3) Be silent. Instead of giving in to negativity, silence it. A highly trained meditative mind is capable of allowing the mind to let go of negative thoughts through mantra or silence. It is a discipline worth cultivating. Even in the worst of situations, the mind will stay clear and focused and fear will not be able to take hold.

The power of negativity is the power you give it. It's your choice to give in to it; you can support it by voicing your negativity, or you can release it and cultivate an incredible passion for the joy of the moment.

Blessings
- Darshan

© 2008 Darshan F Jessop