Saturday, February 15, 2003
M A I N   F E A T U R E


Brooding never helps
D.C. Sharma

DR Caine, a leading psychotherapist of California (USA), has recently discovered how our relationship to the future affects our present state of mind. Our fear about the future gives rise to negative emotions. This stress drains our energy, and thus makes us victims of depression.

The future is yet to show its face. But by feeling hopeless about the future, we start feeling hopeless about the present. That gives rise to anxiety, even makes us depressed. We start feeling powerless. Such a negative state of affairs is our own creation.

The remedy doesn’t lie in brooding. Nor does it lie in complaining about the circumstances. Circumstances themselves are created by our own thoughts. When we go on thinking negatively, we have visions of a bad future. But when we nurture feelings of hope, success, beauty, joy and loving kindness, we feel elated. The happier we feel, the brighter becomes our future.

Howard Raphael Cushnir has discovered a panacea for finding happiness even in the face of hardships. Each of us creates our own reality, from the world we see to the world within. We nurture the idea that what we feel is the result of what happens in our lives. Such an assumption needs to be suspended at once. At the same time we should thank the Lord for all the gifts he has given to us. Sad mood soon leaves us, then.

 


Dr Norman Vincent Peale advocates that we should think of God as a friend. Talk to Him as you would talk to a close friend. Tell Him frankly about all your problems. That will make your heart light. Such a loving relationship will give you a feeling that you have some surging power within.

Prof W.B. Cannon illustrates how our fearful thinking intensifies the feeling of fear. When we go on thinking, feeling, and behaving fearfully, this destructive emotion remains stimulated and does not leave us. Similarly, emotions of anger and hatred also get intensified by constant brooding. Negative emotions affect and bring changes in human mind, body and behaviour.

The solution lies not in brooding but in changing the track from negative to positive thinking. Instead of fear, why not feel that you have the support of divine power. Those who harbour no ill-will can very easily tune into that divine support. Feelings of envy, greed, lust and dishonesty can deprive you of the benefits of divine support. God really comes to the support of those who truly believe in Him.

Regular positive thinking makes man carry a positive state of mind, in all events. Very often negative feelings may make you depressed. But rebuffing them with positive thoughts can perk you up.

Consistent positive thoughts can help you attain a permanent state of happiness. William James, Father of Psychology, has confirmed: "What human mind can perceive, it can achieve."