Controlling One’s Thoughts

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

Controlling One’s Thoughts

“Sit calmly. Close your eyes. Find out the cause for the depression and try to remove the cause.”

“The best method to overcome the gloomy thoughts and the consequent depression, is to think of inspiring thoughts and inspiring things.”

“…[T]hink strongly of the opposite thoughts, the opposite of gloom. think of those things that elevate your mind; think of cheerfulness.”

“Feel, ‘I am cheerful’ … smile … laugh … sing … chant OM … run in the open air.”

“Practice this and feel. Even if  you fail several times, continue.”

“Thoughts gain strength by repetition.”

“By relaxation you give rest to the mind, tired nerves and the overworked muscles.”

“Fewer the thoughts, greater the peace.”

“As clouds are the main source of rain, so the control of one’s own thoughts is the source of durable prosperity.”

“The real God lives in you heart and the only way to worship the real God residing within the temple of your body is by your own sublime thoughts. Stop the psychological functions of your mind and see value only in sublime thoughts.”

“Your life is what you make it by your thoughts.”

 

The ability to control one’s thoughts can come from a consistent practice of meditation. Meditation is the process of learning to slow down one’s thoughts, bringing intention and awareness into the thoughts that arise and eventually have control over which thoughts even enter the mind. It is by way of this practice that we can step back and see the thoughts that induce depression and be able to challenge them.

 

Meditation can also aid in thought control by focusing on one thought, image or mantra that inspires. The repetition helps establish grooves in the brain, uplifts the spirit with positive energy and attracts people with similar thoughts to you.

 

Finally, we have all the strength we need inside of us, to be who we want to be. The power is already there, it’s just a matter of learning to tap in and us it. With the practice of thought control we can better equip ourselves to ward off the lows of mental illness and pull ourselves out of depressive states.