Moving Beyond Negative States of Mind

**true** · #1 (**permalink**) December 10th, 2007, 05:45 AM

A new blog entry has been added.

ibl5588 · #2 (**permalink**) December 15th, 2007, 12:26 AM

Try NLP

**true** · #3 (**permalink**) December 31st, 2007, 12:08 AM

“	Originally Posted By: ibl5588 Try NLP	”

Thanks. What's NLP?

Kenronin · #4 (**permalink**) January 3rd, 2008, 08:31 PM

We find it so easy to become attached to our thoughts about what we like or dislike (somehow usually it is what we dislike) or how we've been affronted or wronged by others, designing and replaying scenarios of what our reactions should be that we can't even see or appreciate the amazing reality in front of us. Suppressing the thoughts doesn't really work. Do you have any practical suggestions for letting go?

**true** · #5 (**permalink**) January 4th, 2008, 08:14 AM

Daily practice. If you meditate daily, you'll find you start getting insulation between irritants and you. Even five minutes a day is a great start. You know yourself more and external influences have less and less strength. If someone cuts you off while you're driving, for example, let that event be like a cloud passing through the sky. Don't hang on to it. Don't give that event power over you or your day, mind and body. Daily practice works best for me. I'm a much nicer calmer guy when I'm practicing daily. You might want to check out some of my other blog posts as I talk about anger in a few of them. My teacher talks about it too on our blog on damazen.com.

mountainspring · #6 (**permalink**) January 4th, 2008, 10:09 AM

I agree about daily practice. Also, I find making a separate daily practice of reflecting on thoughts is valuable and assists in keeping my meditation more focused and less likely to be caught up in the mind's movement - more in the moment. The processes are mutually beneficial. I do feel it becomes easier to let go of negative states with meditation and "appreciate" the moment. Also, attempting to focus on positive states of mind more of the time. When negativity clouds you, actively seek the positive. Try to balance.

**true** · #7 (**permalink**) January 4th, 2008, 07:25 PM

Yes, I agree. The cloud passing through the sky image helps when actually meditating, too. When you meditate, you'll have thoughts that come in, and that's fine and natural. Just don't hang on to them and start thinking about them. Let them pass through your mind like a cloud through the sky.

A lot of our anger comes from an inflated sense of self-importance. How could they do that to me? Even though we are not physically affected, our minds make a big deal out of things that don't affect our bodies.

Here's an earlier blog of mine on anger: http://www.dragonslist.com/anger In there I mention Sakyong Mipham and his book "Turning The Mind Into An Ally". I recommend him and this book. I think it was an early book and you can probably find others. The Dalai Lama's 'Art of Happiness' is another good one.

Of course, a good teacher can also be a huge benefit. Perhaps there's someone in your area that can teach meditation and philosophy with their martial arts.

Peace,

David

mountainspring · #8 (**permalink**) January 6th, 2008, 12:51 PM

David,
I enjoyed your earlier blog on anger, especially regarding patience and becoming aware of your reactions and choosing to react in a certain way. I also recommend “Turning the mind into an ally”. We can choose how to respond to a situation, and that is key to growth as a person and finding peace. Ha, I think of a current situation I have at the gym where I teach - how angry a particular person/situation can make me - and thinking of thanking them for teaching me patience makes me smile.

Peace,
Lorene

**true** · #9 (**permalink**) January 10th, 2008, 06:09 AM

dog1 · #10 (**permalink**) January 13th, 2008, 03:29 PM

please remove my membership at once - i dont post where mods are douches LOL

you would think a slow site like this would welcome posters - anyway see ya wouldnt wanna be ya

sad the only power you guys have is here LOL

Unkotare · #11 (**permalink**) January 13th, 2008, 04:58 PM

Is this an example of a negative state of mind?

ibl5588 · #12 (**permalink**) January 14th, 2008, 12:55 PM

Yes that was.

**true** · #13 (**permalink**) January 14th, 2008, 04:41 PM

Interesting to think where it came from, in terms of motivations, mind set, emotions, etc. When you meditate and begin to know your own mind, then you can get a better understanding of what motivates you.

Try this. Spend one day without putting anyone down. Not yourself. Not a stranger on the street. No one. And, every time you want to, stop and ask yourself why. It can be a powerful exercise in understanding motivations.

Pope_Wingnut · #14 (**permalink**) January 15th, 2008, 09:09 AM

good stuff

incidentally NLP - nuero lingistic programming

ibl5588 · #15 (**permalink**) January 15th, 2008, 12:49 PM

It's easier to meditate when you don't speak or gossip all day, however since the no talking part is impossible if you have a job, the gossip part you can work on.

In NLP there are two kinds of motivation towards and away, you either move away from pain. When you boss tells you to do something or else you're fired. Do you get motivated more then? Or, when you have a goal and there's a reward.

I know personally i'm an away from motivation and i'm working on changing that.

NLP is something anyone with motivation issues needs to look into since it's the study of excellence. It will be very helpful to sort your mind out fundamentally first this will take a lot of discipline and time maybe a few years depending of your mental state right now.