If so, either shift attention away from those thoughts or investigate whether the thoughts are true. (Hint: they're not)
Let's say that you have a negative feeling and the thought behind it is, "I shouldn't be angry about ______." Is that true? No, because you ARE angry. IOW, get in touch with what's really going on. See through the illusion of shoulds and oughts.
If you're feeling bad, that's a fact. Find out what's behind the feeling. Is a negative feeling being generated by a thought that you are less than what you imagine you should be--that you're inadequate in some way? Then investigate the thought. How could you be anything other than what you ARE given your life experiences and situation?
Break the habit of comparing mind (thoughts in which you compare yourself to anyone else). You are unique. Recognize that you are always manifesting the truth perfectly.
Break the habit of imagining that things should be any different than they are. The truth is whatever is manifesting in this moment.
Most people have a "story of me." They go around telling their "story of me" to themselves all day long. They say things to themselves like:
I'm a loser.
I'm a winner.
I have less money than ________.
I have more money than _______.
I'm smart.
I'm dumb.
I'll be happy as soon as I get _________.
If only ________hadn't happened, I'd be happy.
I'm ugly.
I'm beautiful.
I'm too skinny.
I'm too fat.
He ought to love me.
She should treat me better.
I had a bad childhood.
My parents shouldn't have ___________.
My parents should have_________.
Let go of all such stories. All stories (if believed) take us away from the truth of who we are and what is always present here and now.
When someone tells Gangaji (an Advaita teacher) that s/he has fears or bad feelings, Gangaji will often say, "Okay, bring up all your fears and bad feelings right now. Think whatever thoughts are necessary to generate everything negative that's bothering you, and then feel everything as deeply as you can. Don;t resist anything. Let the fears or feelings completely have you in this moment. Many times people who do this exercise will be silent for a few moments and then suddenly break out laughing.
After one woman quit laughing, Gangaji asked, "What happened?" The woman, who was still giggling, replied, "It was all in my mind." Gangaji replied, "Yes, you brought consciousness to what had been an unconscious process, and you saw for the first time what your mind has been doing."
If you haven't read any of the Byron Katie books, check a few out. They contain some exercises that may be very helpful for seeing through issues that are bothering you.
Let's say that you have a negative feeling and the thought behind it is, "I shouldn't be angry about ______." Is that true? No, because you ARE angry. IOW, get in touch with what's really going on. See through the illusion of shoulds and oughts.
If you're feeling bad, that's a fact. Find out what's behind the feeling. Is a negative feeling being generated by a thought that you are less than what you imagine you should be--that you're inadequate in some way? Then investigate the thought. How could you be anything other than what you ARE given your life experiences and situation?
Break the habit of comparing mind (thoughts in which you compare yourself to anyone else). You are unique. Recognize that you are always manifesting the truth perfectly.
Break the habit of imagining that things should be any different than they are. The truth is whatever is manifesting in this moment.
Most people have a "story of me." They go around telling their "story of me" to themselves all day long. They say things to themselves like:
I'm a loser.
I'm a winner.
I have less money than ________.
I have more money than _______.
I'm smart.
I'm dumb.
I'll be happy as soon as I get _________.
If only ________hadn't happened, I'd be happy.
I'm ugly.
I'm beautiful.
I'm too skinny.
I'm too fat.
He ought to love me.
She should treat me better.
I had a bad childhood.
My parents shouldn't have ___________.
My parents should have_________.
Let go of all such stories. All stories (if believed) take us away from the truth of who we are and what is always present here and now.
When someone tells Gangaji (an Advaita teacher) that s/he has fears or bad feelings, Gangaji will often say, "Okay, bring up all your fears and bad feelings right now. Think whatever thoughts are necessary to generate everything negative that's bothering you, and then feel everything as deeply as you can. Don;t resist anything. Let the fears or feelings completely have you in this moment. Many times people who do this exercise will be silent for a few moments and then suddenly break out laughing.
After one woman quit laughing, Gangaji asked, "What happened?" The woman, who was still giggling, replied, "It was all in my mind." Gangaji replied, "Yes, you brought consciousness to what had been an unconscious process, and you saw for the first time what your mind has been doing."
If you haven't read any of the Byron Katie books, check a few out. They contain some exercises that may be very helpful for seeing through issues that are bothering you.
