Jeevan Vigyan - 8: Lesson-28 : Emotional Health

ROLE OF POSITIVE THOUGHTS IN AN IDEAL LIFE

The word bhavana means to happen. To devote and absorb the mind totally in a thought and transform the mind according to it is also called bhavana or the art of positive thinking. In other words, we can say that POSITIVE THINKING directs the conscious mind to flow towards one single direction.

Positive Thinking is an eternal source of power. This source of enormous power of the conscious mind has been lying latent for countless births. When its properties are identified and put to judicious use, it would transform the life of man entirely. Judicious use of positive thought would benefit the entire world. At the same time, injudicious use of one's thought process can push the universe towards doom.

The forecast made by ancient Indian sages many centuries ago are coming true and passing all scientific tests. Psychologists say that thoughts are capable of effecting concrete as well as abstract changes.

Coming disease cast their shadow on the face of human being six months before they are actually discovered. Now scientists are trying to develop a technique that can tell them which person is going to fall victim to which disease. Then by effecting the necessary changes in the shadow appearing on a person's face, his health can be safeguarded. On the basis of such facts, science has reached the conclusion that the thought processes of a person is responsible for the good or bad results of his action.

In this context, a quotation from the Rama Charita Manas by Goswami Tulsi Das is very important and relevant. Tulsi Das says, "It is a man's thought process that dictates the image of God in his mind". The underlying substance of this quotation is that all depends upon the point of view of the looker. Lord Rama appeared to be the exterminator of the wicked to those who were inflicted with negative thoughts. Such people became terrified when they glanced at Lord Rama. But those who looked at Lord Rama with positive thoughts, to them he appeared as their protector and the Venerated One and they became ecstatic with adoration.

MALEVOLENT EFFECT OF NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

This can be easily understood with the example of a school. Those children, who have a negative attitude towards studies, the school for them is a place of torture, pain and beating-ups. The teachers and the principal are the devils incarnate. The place of giving education is, for them, a place which has been created only to increase their misery. All diligent students appear enemies to them. While like minded ones appear to be friends. The school for them is an institution that must be avoided at all costs. If at all one has to go there, one should escape from there at the first opportunity.

Such negative thoughts cannot do anything but darken the future of such unfortunate children.

BENEVOLENT EFFECT OF POSITIVE THINKING

Now let us understand this effect taking into account the attitude of good students, who have positive attitude to education. For such students, school is a place that fills them with affection, pleasure and encouragement. Teachers and the principal appear virtue and gentleness personified. For a child who has positive thinking, education and the act of learning is the way of ever-increasing joy. All other students who come to school with the similar attitude appear friendly and the children with negative attitude appear undesirable.

All in all, the desire to be in school and arrive there on time is an activity which they undertake with fond fascination and want to spend more and more time there.

Such children with positive thoughts are going to make their life sublime in all respects.

THE PROCEDURE FOR CLEANSING THOUGHTS

We have learned about the malevolent effect of negative thoughts and benevolent effect of positive thinking with the help of above examples. We may say that those students who are entangled in negative thoughts are emotionally ill. The students with positive attitude of thinking are emotionally healthy.

The students, who have realized that their emotional illness needs healing up, must participate in the exercise for Thought Cleansing. The aim of this exercise is to teach students how to control their mind and direct it towards positive thinking.

This book is for the use of students. For them those exercises of each chapter are beneficial which can inspire positive thoughts in them, thereby helping them to acquire knowledge. Knowledge is another aspect of consciousness. Knowledge is self-illuminatory. Due attention should be paid to transform one's knowledge into action (Gyan Bhavana).

Procedure for Gyan Bhavana exercise:

1. For the GYANBHA VANA exercise, select a calm and clean location and assume the posture of Sukhasana.
2. Concentrate on respiration.
3. Visualize the sky is getting overcast, spreading darkness and gloom all over. Now, clouds are clearing, the East Wind has begun to blow. Now light is spreading in all the directions. Wind is now blowing faster. Now the sky has become totally cloudless. There is light all around, bright and illuminating light. Nothing but light.
4. Now visualize that with every breath, your actions are getting free from bondage. Bright light of consciousness is spreading all around. Every pore of your body is illuminating now. Now there is body, it is body of solid light (Jyoti Punj) reflecting the illuminated consciousness.
5. Repeat in your mind: "I dedicate myself to knowledge with all humility I posses". "I dedicate myself humbly to the Learned Ones"
   

EXERCISE

1. Describe what you understand by the term EMOTIONAL HEALTH.
2. Describe the effect of Negative and POSITIVE attitude of thinking.
3. Describe the procedure of the GYAN BHAVANA exercise.