The Art of Thinking

This post is also available in: Hindi Marathi

Thinking!! Doesn’t that happen automatically… what’s so artful about it? You may start thinking. But before you go off on that tangent let’s think on the following points:

Do you remember when you first began thinking?

What is the content of your thoughts?

Are you overpowered by your thoughts?

What kind of emotions arise within you due to your thinking?

How are new thoughts generated?

Are you, at times, disturbed by your thoughts?

As you introspect on these questions you may realize that thinking is indeed an important aspect of our life and needs skill. It is an art… an art that is necessary to lead a happy, successful and contented life.

People who practice this art are happier as compared to others. They develop a positive line of thinking and learn to steer directionless thoughts. They learn to examine their thoughts and use them for their own development.

How to think? Children should receive this training at a young age as this would prove beneficial for their growth and all-round development in life. However, as parents, we lack awareness regarding our own thoughts, so this topic has never received the attention it deserved.

Learning to think needs learning too. Retrospection and contemplation are two main aspects of thinking. And this is especially true for those thoughts that generate fear, stress, depression, unhappiness, insecurity and other negative emotions within you. The art of thinking is all about learning to consciously let go of negative thoughts and create new positive thoughts in their stead.

Little Rahul lost his new pencil box which his Dad had specially gotten for him from Singapore. As he reached home, he was anxious with fear and worry, “How do I face Dad now? He’ll be so angry with me!”

“What’s wrong?” Dad asked looking at his tense, anxious face.

“I lost the pencil box that you got me yesterday,” he burst into tears.

“Don’t worry dear, go to the Lost and Found section tomorrow and search. Even if you don’t find it, it’s okay! I’ll get you a new one.” His Dad’s soothing words killed all his fear and worry. Relieved, he immediately went over and hugged his Dad.

Well, we need to apply the same strategy to our negative thoughts—use new positive thoughts to kill old negative thoughts. How to go about this? Think of the role that you play during any incident. What is your identity at the time? Are you a brother, father, wife, mother, boss, or subordinate? The following example will help us understand the various identities that we don at any given time.

Shakuntala was thinking while eating her lunch – ‘Uggh… this cooking is so bland… my daughter-in-law is no good! I wonder if she possesses any cooking skills… how will she manage a household?’

Just then, Neeta, her daughter, popped from the kitchen, “How’s the food, Ma? I tried my hand at cooking today.” Shakuntala’s thoughts immediately took a U-turn – ‘Great! My daughter is finally learning to cook… the food is a bit bland right now but I’m sure she will improve with practice… At least she’s begun to cook… thank God!” she continued her meal happily.

And if she had been a fervent devotee, her thoughts probably would have been, ‘Thank you God for this meal today. Despite the bland taste, I accept it happily. Gratitude!’

Shakuntala’s thoughts were different when she was a mother, more different when she was a mother-in-law, and totally different when she was a devotee.

Our thoughts are attached to the identity that we don at any given time, and they change as we switch our identities. And our identity switches as the opposite person’s role changes. With your boss, you are an employee, with your parents, you become a child, and with your child, you’re a a parent. So, attachment to your identity makes all the difference.

What is your original identity? Are you the body, or the various roles being played out by your body? Who are you? We are the one that is ever present at all times even while the various roles and identities are being expressed. This one that we are, is common within each of us even though we may assume multiple identities.

You may choose whatever words you like for this one that is ever present. It goes by various names like Consciousness, Self, God, Allah, Ishwar, or Source. This is our true identity the pure, divine essence present within all beings.

The question is how to remain connected to our original identity? Whenever you are in conflict, stress or difficulty, question yourself – Who am I now? What is my original identity? This question helps you return to your original identity. And the thoughts arising within you post this questioning will be pure, divine thoughts originating from the Source. And they have the power to wipe out all your fears and concerns.

Shridhar is admitted to the hospital as he is ailing from Dengue. His thoughts are full of fear, anxiety, stress and death. His identity right now is that of a perishable human body. But as soon as he questions himself – Who am I now? – he remembers that he is not this physical body, but the immortal, indestructible Self. Thus, he frees himself of all the fear and anxieties ailing him. He gets filled with positive energy, thus gaining the strength to recover from his illness.

So, when you are filled with sadness or assailed by negative thinking, be sure that you have attached yourself to a wrong identity. Question your real identity and return to it. Think right.

Remind yourself that you are not going to trouble yourself over small matters. Write down some positive thoughts that will help you return to your original identity and free yourself from negative thinking. For example:

I am God’s property; no evil can touch me.

Nature has created everything in abundance for everyone. So, I do not need to feel any scarcity or insecurity.

As you watch your thoughts with mindfulness you can identify the troublesome thoughts and free yourself from the ceaseless chattering of the mind.