A negative disposition in us, manifested through lethargy, disinterestedness, anxiety, depression etc. is a silent killer of our vitality and will to live. Thoughts of suicide and self-destruction gradually emerge in such people very soon leading to a point of no- return. It is vital, therefore, to take action to turn our negative attitudes to positive ones like optimism, social interaction, a sense of purpose etc. The Bible speaks about people sitting in darkness who prefer darkness to light fearing that their evil works may be exposed. A Malayalam poet wrote for a child thus: "Light brings sorrow, darling, it is darkness that is comfortable". It is a herculean task to get people out of their self-imposed state of unhappiness to happiness through transforming them from negative to positive dispositions.
A common feature of negative dispositions is the tendency to withdraw into oneself in an unhealthy manner avoiding touch with reality. The antidote to this problem is first a healthy manner of withdrawal into oneself for self-reflection in order to return to the world with full self-confidence. For, it is our mind that tricks us into solitude and despair and the very same mind can be turned around to see and perceive things objectively. In the negative mindset what we perceive are mere appearances, whereas in the positive mindset reality emerges.
The very first real perception, though implicitly, is about ourselves as spirits in bodies with infinite potentialities. When our mind succumbs to the seeming attractions of the world highlighting the importance of our body, we are lulled into sleep forgetting our real nature as spirits. In this condition, nothing can satisfy us and we become frustrated, disappointed, stressed out and withdraw into ourselves highly dissatisfied with life. The reason for this tragedy is running after appearances neglecting reality. That we can never be satisfied with anything short of infinitude for which our soul (spirit) is capable of through love, joy and peace should be brought home in order to remain happy in our life. With this conviction if we meet the world in our daily life, enjoying even sensual pleasures in the natural course of life, we remain sufficiently detached and can remain truly happy.
The realization that we are in fact endowed with infinite potentialities to be gradually developed should impel us into meaningful actions. We should see that our actions do not recoil on ourselves as 'karmaphala' (fruit of our actions) through 'karma yoga' (proper way of executing actions). For this we have to act with 'nishkama karma' (actions without expectations of results) so that our actions become pure oblations to God Who is the one to decide the results of our actions. In addition, if we offer our actions to God without any motive of self-interest, it becomes true worship, i.e., work as worship. Nothing will be able to dishearten such a person as he or she is under the complete sway of God's Will. We have to nourish and sustain 'karma yoga' through 'jnana yoga' (right knowledge) and .'bhakti yoga', (devotional union with the Lord).
Our negative attitudes in life originate from our seeming helplessness in facing the powers and circumstances in the world. Actually we are not helpless since we are endowed with infinite capacity of our soul aided by the Divine Spirit. It is our mind consisting of intellect and will that should be attended to in order to draw energy from our soul. Intellect is illumined and the will is strengthened by the Divine Spirit through our soul whereby we are able to draw on our infinite potentiality. In practical life, it is the mind that controls our moods, attitudes and thinking. We are able to supervise our mind and direct it through proper ways attained through 'jnana yoga', 'bhakti yoga' and 'karma yoga'. The mind should not be allowed to run riot and lead us into abyss of darkness, but should be controlled to follow our orders. This is called self-discipline that will change our negative attitudes to positive ones. We shall feel, thereafter, wholesome and happy as we are in tune with our true nature. Positive attitudes will show us the way to live life to its fullest in its real sense.
A common feature of negative dispositions is the tendency to withdraw into oneself in an unhealthy manner avoiding touch with reality. The antidote to this problem is first a healthy manner of withdrawal into oneself for self-reflection in order to return to the world with full self-confidence. For, it is our mind that tricks us into solitude and despair and the very same mind can be turned around to see and perceive things objectively. In the negative mindset what we perceive are mere appearances, whereas in the positive mindset reality emerges.
The very first real perception, though implicitly, is about ourselves as spirits in bodies with infinite potentialities. When our mind succumbs to the seeming attractions of the world highlighting the importance of our body, we are lulled into sleep forgetting our real nature as spirits. In this condition, nothing can satisfy us and we become frustrated, disappointed, stressed out and withdraw into ourselves highly dissatisfied with life. The reason for this tragedy is running after appearances neglecting reality. That we can never be satisfied with anything short of infinitude for which our soul (spirit) is capable of through love, joy and peace should be brought home in order to remain happy in our life. With this conviction if we meet the world in our daily life, enjoying even sensual pleasures in the natural course of life, we remain sufficiently detached and can remain truly happy.
The realization that we are in fact endowed with infinite potentialities to be gradually developed should impel us into meaningful actions. We should see that our actions do not recoil on ourselves as 'karmaphala' (fruit of our actions) through 'karma yoga' (proper way of executing actions). For this we have to act with 'nishkama karma' (actions without expectations of results) so that our actions become pure oblations to God Who is the one to decide the results of our actions. In addition, if we offer our actions to God without any motive of self-interest, it becomes true worship, i.e., work as worship. Nothing will be able to dishearten such a person as he or she is under the complete sway of God's Will. We have to nourish and sustain 'karma yoga' through 'jnana yoga' (right knowledge) and .'bhakti yoga', (devotional union with the Lord).
Our negative attitudes in life originate from our seeming helplessness in facing the powers and circumstances in the world. Actually we are not helpless since we are endowed with infinite capacity of our soul aided by the Divine Spirit. It is our mind consisting of intellect and will that should be attended to in order to draw energy from our soul. Intellect is illumined and the will is strengthened by the Divine Spirit through our soul whereby we are able to draw on our infinite potentiality. In practical life, it is the mind that controls our moods, attitudes and thinking. We are able to supervise our mind and direct it through proper ways attained through 'jnana yoga', 'bhakti yoga' and 'karma yoga'. The mind should not be allowed to run riot and lead us into abyss of darkness, but should be controlled to follow our orders. This is called self-discipline that will change our negative attitudes to positive ones. We shall feel, thereafter, wholesome and happy as we are in tune with our true nature. Positive attitudes will show us the way to live life to its fullest in its real sense.
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