Managing negative thought patterns

When faced with negative thoughts, classify them into following three categories: 

1. Can control

2. Can influence

3. Can't control. 

This makes it easier to manage attention and move away from things beyond your control.

When we have fallen into the rabbit hole of threat perception (stress) after experiencing a demand supply gap, we may encounter a barrage of diversely negative thoughts which align with different narratives. Despite being quite convincing,

these thoughts are not facts. They give us a skewed idea of reality. They strongly push us into aligning with one or more narrative. They are consistent, persistent and even if we try our best to not get carried away, they do succeed in getting our attention. Sustained attention and involvement reduces motivation and energy.

If one is unable to watch these conversations and maintain a distance,

one way to extricate oneself is to do a reality check/reality test. This process helps us to create space between ourselves and the negative thoughts facilitating their objective examination.

Here are the steps:

a. Argue the opposite case.

b. Question the absoluteness.

c. Look for counter examples. 

d. Ask yourself what is the learning here?

e. What am I not seeing in the narrative?

Improve self talk: Reframe thoughts

Eternal vigilance is the price that you pay for freedom

Before embarking on a life journey, prepare yourself well. Evaluate whether you resonate well with the path and goal. Understand the various goals in your gaze and learn the ability to make dynamic decisions on the fly (after evaluating what-if scenarios). Know your reasoning, rationale and source of motivation. Conduct a thorough analysis of your current state and what would be needed on your path. Learn and perfect the art of backward design. Knowing that you are ultimately alone and will be walking alone is a necessity. Assess your intellectual quotient (IQ), Emotional quotient (EQ),  pranic quotient (PQ), and spiritual quotient (SQ). Do a root cause analysis of gaps identified and address them through experiential learning. Holistic awareness and understanding of the self and worldly processes is essential before you embark on the life journey. Purity of intent will propel you forward. Acceptance and choicelessness will keep you from deviating. Self awareness and understanding will guide you and self-motivation will energize you. Inward attention will relax you. 

Freedom on the pathless path demands that you drop all pretense, all gross and subtle dependence and are centered on your own self. Come what may, your soul should be ready to tread consistently and firmly on the path. Experiences on the pathless path will test your mettle - not once, not twice, but consistently. 

Eternal vigilance is the price that you pay for freedom!