Some thoughts on negative vs positive thinking

Originally Posted by JosephineBloggs

A good or bad, happy or sad feeling of the individual?

The original question had the word 'objectively', and those feelings are relative to one's own perceptions of positive or negative.

[Flexi-Girl]

Originally Posted by JustASimpleGuy

Realize the source of both positive and negative thinking and then take both with a grain of salt.

I am genuinely curious what you mean.

[Flexi-Girl]

Originally Posted by Greenslade

Oh well, I guess I have a wait in front of me then. Still no answer.

Well I am not sure I understood your original question. I guess negative and positive are ineffable concepts that you can't objectively define but we know when it when we experience it. So I suppose that makes it subjective. I do think some principles are universal to everyone.

Originally Posted by Flexi-Girl

I am genuinely curious what you mean.

From a non-dual perspective thoughts are merely a product of body-mind. Body-mind is a flash in the pan and thoughts even less.

Behind it all is Awareness. That's our true nature and the Awareness within you is not only of the same kind as within me, but the exact same One and only Awareness. Call it God, Brahman, Source, Unity, One. That's our real nature.

That being said and taking in the Big Picture, from a perspective of the forest and not the trees, how much weight, importance or value should we attach to thoughts?

[inavalan]

Originally Posted by JustASimpleGuy

From a non-dual perspective ...

From that perspective:

• Why are you here?
• What are you supposed to do here?

Originally Posted by Flexi-Girl

Well I am not sure I understood your original question. I guess negative and positive are ineffable concepts that you can't objectively define but we know when it when we experience it. So I suppose that makes it subjective. I do think some principles are universal to everyone.

The universal principles (if you could call them that) that apply here are labelling experiences because really that's all that's happening, nothing is either positive or negative in itself, it just IS, so if you have a positive experience it's negative because you've 'missed something'. If you deal with a 'negative' situation and gain from it then you start seeing beyond the face value of things, and there's a whole raft of other 'benefits' as well. Not being polarised puts your emotions on an even keel and you're not bouncing from one extreme to the other - even positive is an extreme and there will be a negative along in a minute.

And when you can do all that, the next time a 'negative' experience happens you can beat your chest and say "Bring it on, Universe." Eventually the Universe will give up because you've learned your lesson.


YOU are the source of positive and negative so don't think about them too much.

Originally Posted by inavalan

From that perspective:

• Why are you here?
• What are you supposed to do here?

To manifest that which is unmanifested. A face cannot see itself without a mirror.

[Flexi-Girl]

Originally Posted by Greenslade

The universal principles (if you could call them that) that apply here are labelling experiences because really that's all that's happening, nothing is either positive or negative in itself, it just IS, so if you have a positive experience it's negative because you've 'missed something'. If you deal with a 'negative' situation and gain from it then you start seeing beyond the face value of things, and there's a whole raft of other 'benefits' as well. Not being polarised puts your emotions on an even keel and you're not bouncing from one extreme to the other - even positive is an extreme and there will be a negative along in a minute.

And when you can do all that, the next time a 'negative' experience happens you can beat your chest and say "Bring it on, Universe." Eventually the Universe will give up because you've learned your lesson.


YOU are the source of positive and negative so don't think about them too much.

I can somewhat understand your perspective as I have been practicing that mindset myself for a few months now. In fact I would say it's been extremely helpful for me.

I think because we are surrounded by so many jaded cynical people, they are having an influence on us. I have been practicing gratitude as a way to balance myself out, and bring a more meaningful perspective.

[Flexi-Girl]

Originally Posted by JustASimpleGuy

From a non-dual perspective thoughts are merely a product of body-mind. Body-mind is a flash in the pan and thoughts even less.

Behind it all is Awareness. That's our true nature and the Awareness within you is not only of the same kind as within me, but the exact same One and only Awareness. Call it God, Brahman, Source, Unity, One. That's our real nature.

That being said and taking in the Big Picture, from a perspective of the forest and not the trees, how much weight, importance or value should we attach to thoughts?

I think I can understand where you are coming from. I am curious. Would you say this perspective is beneficial in your every day life?

Originally Posted by Flexi-Girl

I think I can understand where you are coming from. I am curious. Would you say this perspective is beneficial in your every day life?

Yes. See the second quote in my sig.