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Dealing with Negativity
posted by Deepak Chopra May 29, 2008 3:00 am
Adapted from The Third Jesus, by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2008).
There are a number of different techniques to deal with negativity. It takes time before you find the right response to suit a specific situation. The more patient you are with yourself, the better. One day you may need tears, the next day it’s a matter of patient waiting or talking to your inner self. Here are some methods of dealing with negativity to add to your repertoire:
- Patient waiting. Notice your negative reaction and watch it for a moment. Be attentive to your feelings as they are, without judging or forcing them to change. This response is quiet, but it isn’t passive. You are removing the shock value of the moment, softening the feeling so that you don’t act on it impulsively or push it away. You are letting it dissipate naturally, at its own pace. You are also practicing detachment.
- Talk out the problem. Any negative experience in the mind is part of yourself. It’s neither alien nor evil. Try talking to your fear or hostility. Ask to know what it means. Find out why it chose to show itself at this particular moment.
- Ask the underlying energy to leave. Not all negativity wants to stick around. We are all aware of passing moods and sudden flashes of emotion that soon subside. Ask the negative energy to leave, but first give it a chance to say what it has to say.
- Summon help and assistance. Your mind has countless levels. At higher levels, you possess much more control and authority than you realize. Learning to trust in aspects of your higher self that you can’t see is important. Ask for help in removing unwanted negative energy. Some people address their angels and guides; others pray to God; still others make a request to the higher self directly. Depending on your own beliefs, don’t hesitate to say that you are feeling overwhelmed and need help.
- Physical responses. Turn to the wisdom of the body. Although the mind always wants to rush in and take charge, life is a cooperative venture between mind and body. As some body workers like to say, there are issues in the tissues. So let your body do what it wants in order to release the grip of a negative experience. This can be physical, or even toning, which means humming or singing at certain pitch and then letting the body carry the tone up or down.
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8 comments
add your comment »A pessimist is one who feels bad when he feels good for fear he'll feel worse when he feels better.
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For more on uderstanding on all this DO Check out the unprecedented International Webcast where Oprah and Eckhart Tolle's Classes are FREE and archived at www.oprah.com
and available from your computer and you can download the video or audio to your Itunes.
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P.S. What I meant was; when fear OR negativity grips me.
I also find that a change in posture putting my shoulders back and my head up and (if this is possible during those moments of sheer panic !) try and make yourself smile, even if you don't feel like it's a real smile ! It really does facilitate positive change,however small at the time.
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This is great wisdom and good, solid, practical help in overcoming these challenges.
When fear of negativity grip me, I stop and try and release its grip ...BREATHE slowly,in and out, (as if it is early morning fresh air or a sea breeze,) soothing the area below my colar bone, from the warmth & healing energy of my hand and help from a higher loving source- Eg. God, Angels, Guides etc..healing. I often say out loud:"It's O.K. everything's going to be fine. Peace."
Of course what I've just read from the Deepak Chopra piece, this is wonderfully helpful too ! Thank you-
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I now realize the importance of understanding trying to stay w/the feeling long enough to realize what is causing the negativity and to feel it so I can more appropriately understand when this overwhelming negativity arrives again. I am reading a book by Pema Chodron and it and Deepak seem to have alot of the same beliefs. If anybody is interested in her book. "Start Where you Are" A guide to compassionate living. Look it up. Changed my life as Deepak has.
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This will be a great help to my friend, Negative Nancy, who is in complete denial that feeling negative is, well...negative!
Thank you for appealing to everyone's rational side.
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For years I suffered from negative thoughts which caused me unhappiness, illnesses and a complete lack of interest in anything. It was only when my psychiatrist told me it wasn't the things that happened in my life that were causing the pain but my attitude towards them. I thought that it would be impossible for me to change but when I decided not to allow negative thoughts into my head by not listening to them, my whole life changed. I may appear to be insensitive but it is by far preferable to a living hell.
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I just began reading this book~I will enjoy the journey it will be. Thank you for yet another enlightening read. It is about evolving higher and wiser.
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