An old Hindi saying goes: “The quality of your mind determines the quality of your life.”
Positive thoughts create a happy and good life, while thoughts saturated with negative emotions reduce the quality of life. Even scientific communities have reached similar conclusions. In fact, studies show that optimists live longer, have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, and stronger immune systems. A positive outlook is associated with better job performance and an improved ability to deal with life’s circumstances and events with more calm and confidence.
With work stress, relationship issues, family matters, friendship challenges, self-doubt, financial worries, and other daily pressures, positivity can seem like something only saints can achieve. But no—it’s not.
“The mind cannot be controlled by the level of the mind,” says Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
This is a profound realization, and once understood, it becomes much easier to cultivate a positive state of mind. Positivity is only three steps away. Simply becoming aware of these steps can bring the shift you need in your approach to life.
A positive mental attitude can be your anchor in life, and knowing how to maintain a positive perspective—when negative thoughts bombard you, when you're stuck in the habit of only seeing the bad, and when you need high prana (energy)—can play a vital role in uplifting your state of mind.
Three Secrets to a Positive Life
1. Don’t resist negative thoughts with words
"How to stay positive" is a more common question than "how to reduce negative thinking."
The first natural reaction is usually to fight negative thoughts with positive words. But that has only a short-term effect.
Negative thoughts tend to return quickly.
Another common response is to suppress or react with anger, which causes these thoughts to resurface unexpectedly.
However, there's a third way—less common, but far more effective: do nothing. Be silent and simply observe your thoughts.
Just like mud settles in still water, your thoughts will settle naturally.
When you’re quiet and watch your thoughts, they stop grabbing your attention and fade away on their own.
If you’re unable to observe your thoughts, stop giving them importance. This way, they will simply dissolve.
If too many negative thoughts are disturbing you, give your mind the silence it needs with the Art of Silence Course.
2. Change your habits
Many of us are used to seeing the negative in others and storing that impression in our minds as if it's the eternal truth.
We often ignore the possibility that our perception might be flawed. Maybe our biases prevent us from seeing the full picture.
Or maybe it's just a habit—to focus on the negative.
The solution? Consciously change that habit.
Instead of looking for something to complain about, look for something to appreciate.
3. Raise your prana (energy) for a positive state of mind
When the mind is agitated or sad, we tend to see things more negatively.
Suddenly, the person next to us becomes irritating, and the situation feels like it’s working against us.
But if we change our state of mind, our perspective changes too.
One way to make the mind more positive is to increase the level of prana, or life energy, in the body.
Low prana leads to restlessness, sadness, and irritability.
High prana removes negative emotions and brings about a positive attitude.
Practicing pranayama and breathing techniques like Sudarshan Kriya can significantly increase your prana levels.
You can learn the highly effective stress-relief technique Sudarshan Kriya by attending an upcoming course in your city.
