Increasing Positive Thoughts

Taken from a book titled Tending Life’s Garden written by Master Hsing Yin.

The human mind never stops working. It produces one thought after another at a pace faster than lightning. In particular, the mind produces two kinds of decisive thoughts – positive and harmful ones. Because of the speed with which we form these decisive thoughts, it is imperative that we always be careful of our mental activities, because positive ones can lead to heaven and harmful ones to hell.

Through awareness of our mental activities, we can rid ourselves of every harmful thought and bring forth every possible positive thought. What is a harmful thought? A harmful thought is a false or misleading thought. It arises when we have perverted views or desires. On the other hand, a positive thought is a pure thought. It surfaces when we have a right mindfulness, and sets our minds on the path of enlightenment.

However, since the mind can produce harmful thoughts at any given moment, we must find ways to either prevent them from arising or to be rid of them as soon as they arise. In Buddhism, there is the method of recitation. By repeating the Buddha’s name wholeheartedly, our minds will be directed onto the right path, ready to combat any undesirable thought such as ignorance, jealousy, hatred and greed. But in ridding ourselves of harmful thoughts, we must also be careful not to fall into the trap of being attached to positive thoughts, since having non-thought is the ideal way to practice. Ven. Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriach of the Chinese Chan School, taught Cao Xi according to this principle: “To have a thought is non-thought is true non-attachment, the highest realm of realization. If our minds can be empty of all thoughts, our lives will be truly free. We will be able to accept our circumstances without worry, renounce everything without clinging, follow our minds without hindrance, and go with the flow of conditions without attachment.

Our minds are always full of thoughts and ideas, especially those that are false and deviant. Everyday, we gossip about other people and haggle over gains and losses as our mind drifts unceasingly between the ten dharma realms. A positive thought will take us to the realms of the Buddhas and the bodhisattvas, while a harmful thought will take us to the realms of animals and evil spirits. As such, our minds and bodies cannot rest peacefully because we are troubled by endless mental activities.

When we sleep at night, our eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body will take a rest. However, the mind does not relax or slow down for a single moment because it is occupied by endless thoughts. In order to help us rectify and purify our minds, the Buddha taught the “six contemplations”, which instruct us to concentrate on the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha, the precepts, generosity, and the heavenly realm. He also encouraged us to contemplate the impurities of the body, the sufferings from the sensations, the impermanence of the mind, and the selflessness of all phenomena, so that we can rid ourselves of wrong views and false thoughts.

A Buddhist sutra states, “The mind is like an enemy that brings misery to the body.” Human thoughts are like a thief, a wild horse, or an untamed elephant that needs to be subdued. Therefore, people use all kinds of methods to bring their minds and thoughts under control. Some go to the mountains; others live in seclusion in order to practice.

The human mind is undoubtedly influenced by its perception of the world. Once it is defiled it loses its true nature. If our minds are full of thoughts as worthless as “cow dung” then that will be how we perceive others. On the other hand, if we use the Buddha mind to look at others, then we will see the Buddha Nature in everyone. So we must constantly look into our minds and examine our thoughts. We must strengthen our resolve to achieve Buddhahood and uphold pure thoughts of goodness, beauty and truth. Only then will we be able to achieve the greatest cultivation of all – the state of non-attachment and purity.

For those who aren’t Buddhist, I can give you some tips to stay positive. Your mind is like a mirror, what you put there will be reflected out. So when you think that someone is ugly, then the person will be ugly in your eyes. But if you think that she is the most beautiful person in the world, your eyes would show you that.

You can replace Buddha as Jesus, God, or any other that you believe. Maybe the purest being or souls, or whatever it is. As long as you see that there is Greatness in someone, you would respect the other person more. So maybe that way can improve your relationships in society.