Positive thinking is a myth

Positive thinking- the new ‘cool’ term, which seems to be  the solution to all problems in this generation. It is a common advise - ‘Stop being negative, think positive’. Point is, there is nothing called negative thinking, it is just the absence of positive influence in that aspect of life, like, there’s nothing such as darkness. And, don’t you think- addressing that aspect will help, instead of just thinking positive?

Let me get it straight - It is more important to be a ‘realistic-thinker’ than a ‘positive-thinker’, who is ready to deal with the reality of his/her life. Realistic thinking will help you in addressing the situation, analyse the issues in hand, and give you the best solution. Positive thinking, makes you think everything is perfect, and takes you away from reality and can lead to heart-breaks. It is very important for people to understand that ‘conscious-mind’ contributes 8-10% of positive thinking, and the rest is controlled by our sub-conscious. Thus, if you are not in the right frame of mind, ‘sub-consciously’- it is a doomsday.

As a spiritual seeker, I have read many medical journals and it reveals most of the people who followed positive thinking completely, ended their life with suicide. With positive thinking they were running away from the truth and one day, when it struck hard- they weren’t prepared to take it. I have had many stock-broker clients, who lost everything, they were positive the right value of their stock will come eventually and weren’t ready to detach with their portfolio at the right time.

‘Bhagvad Geeta’ is considered a manual to life. It talks about different platforms to approach life and it is totally upon our judgment which one we feel connected to. Bhagvad Geeta doesn’t suggest anywhere that the solution to life’s problems is to ‘Think Positive’. Why couldn’t Shri Krishna, the super-consciousness, stop the war by thinking positive? Or,  assist Arjun to win the war just by thinking positive? For 18 days, Shri Krishna, approached the situation with realistic thoughts - he was worried when Bhishma was on a rampage; he got worried when Dronacharya was on a killing spree; he was even more worried when Arjun took ‘Pratigya’ to kill Jyadratha before sun-set. No approach was based on ‘positive thinking’!

Let me give you 2 understandings - 1) There was a boy, who loved a girl madly, but the girl used to ask him to address certain issues in the relationship. He used to reply, “Don’t think negative, you are putting negative energy into the relationship”. Finally, one day, the girl left him. His friends suggested to get over her and he stopped meeting them as well. One day, he heard the girl is getting married and no matter, what he does now, nothing can work out. Reality struck him - nowhere to go and broken, he ended his life with regret and grief.

2) There was a young boy of 21, he loved his mother immensely. One day, she was diagnosed with cancer, and the entire family came together to help in whatever way possible. They went to the best doctors, got the medication, and were very positive. But, this boy was realistic. He knew the chances are dim, felt the pain of it day and night. And, one day, he got the news- “Ma is no more”. He felt a part of him has been taken away, but he knew, he has to handle everything. He rose to the occasion and became the pillar of the family.

Why do we see one self-help book on positive thinking coming out everyday? Because, the previous book on positive thinking couldn’t bring about any change! Who doesn’t want positive things to happen in their life? It is important to have the right awareness - if positive thinking could result in positive living, the world would have been a better place to live in.

The writer is a spiritual seeker and a karmyogi. You can reach him at MasterRishavOfficial@gmail.com