There is a voice that we all have. It is that inner voice . Our stream of consciousness. It can be negative about the things we dream, about the intent of others, and a myriad of other aspects
of our lives. To silence that negative voice opens new doors and enables limitless possibility to enter our lives. To stop dwelling on the negative allows all the positives in our lives to surface. All you must do is silence the negative aspects of your stream of consciousness.
We all think to ourselves with an inner voice. Most of us are in constant dialogue with ourselves. It is only natural, as we use spoken word to communicate with others. Language is deeply rooted in our psyche and so, when we think, we think in words. As I type this I can hear the words in my head. Much of Buddhist philosophy (especially Zen) and spiritual practice is an attempt to silence our inner voice and quiet our mind. This is exceedingly hard and takes years of zazen, or sitting practice.
One thing that can help us all, and which can be easier to do (though it is still hard, starting out), is to monitor what we are thinking. To pay attention to the demeanor of the messages we are giving ourselves. When a negative message or thought enters your mind observe it and if to makes sense consciously reject it and try to stop thinking that thought.
For instance: if you had a bad day at work (and we all do) you may find yourself thinking about how you hate some person at work or you dislike the entire company or group you are in. This can circle around and around in your mind till you are irate and depressed. Stop that cycle. If you give your mind a break and think about things that make you happy, you will feel better. You will have more energy and be able to make forward progress in whatever you do. It can be anything that bothers you. Try your best to stop thinking about it in a negative light and it will be easier to let go of it.
I know a number of people who work hard to stay positive this way. I also know others who allow their negative, sometimes frightening thoughts to rule their lives. The differences between these two groups are stark. The positive thinkers and thought monitors are happier, healthier and more content. The people who think those negative thoughts constantly are worried, haggard, and many times more susceptible to cold and flues.
The power of positive thinking, does work. But it is not always easy and it is not a matter of just being blindly positive. It is more about refusing to dwell on the negative; about choosing to silence certain thoughts. We all have negatives in our lives. But if you can refocus your mind and inner talk on the positives, life will be better.
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