Negativity comes with the feeling that we are in some way incomplete. When we see others, we feel that we are lacking somewhere. Whether it is about smartness, wealth or overall well-being. We always crave for owning something that is really very great. In a sense, we want to become masters. This also has something to do with our ego. Our sense of self-worth gets enhanced when we are praised for an object which we have acquired.
But can things really make us complete? We forget that there is no limit to the amount that we can earn. No matter how much we acquire, there will always be someone who will be earning more than we are. The dissatisfaction always stays with us. Instead, we should try to become more grateful for what we have rather than cribbing about what we don’t.
Another thing which affects the positivity is how things are turning out. We always expect someone to behave the way we want. But, it is not always like this. In fact, we can count on our fingers the times when something has happened as we expected.
Mindfulness for positivity
We are always living in past or the future. Because we are unhappy about what happened with us in our lives in past. Or, we are always trying to build something: a career or bank balance.
Not that these are insignificant. In this way, we forget that we are losing out on the present moment. We seem to be going through the present like zombies. Everything we do is mechanical. The result is there for us. It not only affects the quality but also the quantity.
Getting into the habit of regular meditation can work wonders. Just see the difference by focusing on the breath for 10 to 15 minutes every day twice.
Awareness of our inner soul
We always feel that there is an invisible hand behind how things operate. Let’s give you an example. You establish an immediate connection with a stranger. How is it possible? Did he or she know you from before? Perhaps in the previous birth! A feeling of déjà vu is there when you visit a place. Have you visited it in your previous birth? You may have had a dream which you cannot relate with your present life.
Strong arguments have been given in support of rebirth by Swami Vivekananda in his speech, which he delivered in Chicago way back in 1893. He questioned as to how we can explain habits which are there in children since they attain consciousness. This argument cannot be dismissed by even those having the most scientific bent of mind.
What can help us gain is a deep understanding about our real nature or ‘Atman’. This cannot be done by studying books or gaining degrees at university. One will have to meditate for hours and days and months and years to gain a full understanding that we are, in fact, souls. In this context, the saying that “we are spiritual beings having a physical experience would be the most apt”.
Once we gain the knowledge of self, we will not have this feeling of incompleteness. Our soul is complete in all respects. The take of Lord Krishna in ‘Bhagvad Gita’ that the understanding of our true nature is the most profound knowledge that we can gain should not be taken lightly. In fact, as humans, we should strive to have as much a clear understanding of our true nature as possible.
Our origin & end in ‘divine consciousness’
Where have we come from, and where are we supposed to end our journey? If we are souls, our origin must be in divine consciousness. Do we come into existence the day we were born? Does our existence come to an end when we die? Even scientists cannot pinpoint the moment when our consciousness takes birth. It may be a metaphysical thing when the soul enters the fetus or when the soul leaves the body.
So, we cannot deny the existence of a divine consciousness. It is just a thing of deep belief. People believe in God because they are aware of some supernatural things that they will not be able to explain scientifically.
Again, meditation plays a big role in solidifying our belief in divine consciousness. If this wasn’t the case, great mystics like Ramakrishna Paramhans and Ramana Maharishi would not have recommended us to meditate.
Develop an acceptance
It is futile to resist what is nagging us. Developing an acceptance is the first thing we can do so that the very things which irritated you will not disturb you.
But, this is easier said than done. Because all of us have a fragile ego. It snaps even at the slightest provocation. But if we have developed a Buddha nature, we can easily ignore these slight provocations that happen every day and at every step.
How do we gain this Buddha nature? That is possible through deep meditation. When we meditate deeply, we come to know that none of the things that bother us hold so much significance.
Conclusion
To conclude, one can say that our ability to deal with negative things and develop positivity will hinge on how much we meditate. After all, it is your mental state which affects you more than the thing that is bothering you. The calming effect of meditation helps your ability to counter negativity.
