If someone is dissatisfied with their life, or if there is persistent pressure on the mind, both these conditions will give rise to some physical ailment. Every thought we create generates energy in the form of vibrations. These vibrations first affect the brain, and since the brain controls the functions of the rest of the body, one or more organs get affected.
So, we need to treasure our happiness. When we understand what a valuable possession our happiness is, we will be careful and determined not to allow anyone or anything to take it away from us.
Some people are so sensitive that they are easily upset by someone’s behaviour, unkind words, or an untoward development. Having this kind of a nature can be very harmful as it attracts negative energy from the atmosphere and gradually makes the mind weaker. The same happens if we often get angry. We need to connect with the good energy around us, and the way to do that is to create positive thoughts.
Many of us also tend to hold on to painful memories – of hurtful remarks and bad experiences. If our mind is full of such memories, it has little space for good things. Moreover, those who hold on to negativity in this manner miss the golden opportunities that come before them, because they are so engaged with the negative that they fail to recognise the opportunity.
The damage done by negative thinking can be gauged from a simple fact: medical science has made remarkable strides over the past century, and one would have expected that to make mankind disease-free. But the reality is that disease is increasing in the world despite the growing number of doctors and hospitals. The reason is the kind of thoughts people create, which give rise to physical ailments.
Mental illness is growing fast, especially among the youth. The two main reasons for this are overthinking and negative thinking, both of which lead to depression. The remedy is to have a positive outlook and good wishes for everyone. Looking out for others, giving encouragement, helping them progress… all these things strengthen mutual love and trust. This is especially true for the people we live or work with. This is important for maintaining good relationships. If we tend to see only the faults in others, do not care about them, and are jealous of their successes, how will they respond? And when there is no love and respect in our relationships, can we be happy? And where there is no happiness, will there be health?
Our thoughts, attitude, and behaviour thus play a big role in determining the quality of our relationships, the kind of experiences we have, and the trajectory of our life. It is up to us to choose to move towards peace and happiness or anxiety, fear, and sorrow.
B.K. Surya is a Rajyoga teacher at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.