I ran into one of those people who believes in the Power of Positive thinking.
I've always disliked that movement and I couldn't put a finger onto why until I read a little bit of work by the author I encountered. While I do believe that 'right thinking' (a concept originating from Buddhism) does contribute to a person's overall health and happiness in life the Positive Thinking Group leaves much to be desired. As I've journeyed along the Path of the Seeker I've discovered many things. One of them is that you can't force your will on the Cosmos without a lot of work and effort...which isn't necessary if you learn to flow with it instead. All of the books, tips and techniques about manifesting can be skipped...if you learn to listen to your intuition and learn how to go with the flow of creation. Patience, according to Edgar Cacye, is one of the Fruits of the Spirit experienced by those who are working with the One Creator. The less patience, compassion and understanding a person has the less they are at One with the will of the Creator. A Financial Scam The tips, tricks, and techniques written about in books about Positive Thinking just feel like a scam as you read them...as though they are leaving out the good deep stuff (and they are). They claim that by just being happy all of the time you can make lots of money...but most of us know that's not how being happy works and that money doesn't make anyone happier. You can't wish yourself into a happier state of being very easily. That's the thing with the Positive Thinking Movement and books like The Secret. They are marketed to people as a means by which they can experience financial prosperity RIGHT NOW. They really don't promise much else and a lot of people try the techniques or buy the book because they want to be rich. The techniques are inevitably vision boards or affirmations...but they don't tell you all of the little pitfalls you can fall into...or that the house you put on your vision board isn't going to be available for fifteen years because the people living in it are happy...and you actually limit opportunities because you focus on manifesting that particular house...when there might be a better house available right now! The people who promote Positive Thinking go around the country speaking to companies. There is a huge industry for that sort of thing. That right there should tell you that the primary thing being sold is a way to make a lot of money. Usually, While the people who promote it and get involved in it might make a lot of money speaking at events or selling books about this idea...that's not proof that it works for everyone. Not everyone is meant to be a public speaker or an author or work in marketing. Some people, even when they make a lot of money, can't keep it...but the Positive Thinking movement doesn't even begin to address that issue. A Health Block Further, there are groups that say that what you think affects your health. Yes, it does but so does a lot of other factors. For someone who is depressed, moody or chronically ill this just makes things worse. This implies that there is something intrinsically wrong with them and that they 'want' to be that way. There is no mention that their state of being might be inherited from mental patterns they learned from their environment growing up. Further, it doesn't help to tell people with chronic diseases it's their fault they are sick and then give them a, "Well you should see life as all Rainbows and Unicorns in order to be well..." Since the Positive Thinking movement is all about material results and doesn't even mention paitence or how things might not go right...it can be very detrimental to people psychologically. An Overall Lack of The Creator In these books the Creator is simply not mentioned. There is no room in this Positive Thinking trend for The Creator. This is a group wanting to be neutral when it comes to spiritual beliefs. After all, anyone of any faith can think Positively and don't have to question dogma. You are, according to some, you'r own personal little God and therefore you can manifest whatever you want! Just with your thoughts! Like a little genie! Not only is that magical thinking...but it's not like you snap your fingers and gain control over your thoughts. Most people are ruled by subconscious ideas that trigger emotions leading to thoughts that seem to come from nowhere. There is a reason why Buddhist monks take lifetimes meditating to tame their minds. In fact, the entire movement is materialistic at it's core, "Here is the magical power of thought and how you can harness it to get the house/car/lifestyle you always wanted!" To quote Han Solo from The Force Awakens, "That's not how the Force works!" The Spiritual Path While financial prosperity is a part of a the Spiritual Seeking path...it comes naturally as a by product of the process. Prosperity is not the goal. In fact, there is point where you look at the material goods you collect and wonder at the pointlessness of them. By focusing only on financial security a person could become totally blinded to Seeking an understanding of Creation...their purpose and their reason for being in the cosmos. Instead, for those people who do see results it becomes a question of, "What material thing can I manifest next!?" That focus is what derails prosperity. Spirit isn't going to reward someone by naturally opening up pathways if all they are focused on the next way they can force their will on the universe to get their next physical item. Spirit doesn't care how many cars you have in your garage. That's the path of service-to-self but it's not an easy one. That one takes a lot of work, because you're trying to shape the cosmos to your will. I've found it is so much more easier to unite my will with the power of the Creator and let things flow naturally. When that happens apparent blocks dissolve like so much smoke and everything just comes naturally to fruition without so much effort. What is natural for you to have in Creation will come to you will little effort. Yet, this requires going to the root of why you are not having a easy joyous life. You have to go through the ideas that are holding you back, how they occurred and where the errors in thinking come from in order to fix them. Fixing them is as simple as naming them and naming why that behavior doesn't work. Ask the people at AA meetings and they'll understand...maybe they don't apply to every area of their life but they can sure tell you about their addiction (a behavior) and why it doesn't work. Telling people that they have to look into the inner dark of their own psyche, however, doesn't sound as appealing as, "Think and Grow Rich!" In fact, most people are downright scared to look into that dark mirror. The image there is just an illusion, an illusion that can be named and dealt with but the sense of guilt, shame and self-rejection runs so deep most don't have the courage. For people with deep issues with negative behavioral patterns that are experiencing an unpleasant life these books can deepen their sorrow. They think something is wrong with them and that's why they can't make it work for them. Yes, something is off in their idea system and the way they are thinking does help create their experience...but they are not at fault as it's usually a multi-generational idea/error that's blocking them. Just telling them, "Don't be negative! Think positive," won't do a darn thing but demoralize them. Conclusions The Positive thinking movement has done more harm then good. To promote it is to promote materialism. Yes, it sells books like mad. Everyone wants a quick and easy route to more stuff. Yet, that's not the Path of the Seeker. Nor, is more stuff really prosperity. Prosperity comes easily when you find your natural calling in life, all of the tools you need are flowed to you effortlessly...because you're will is One with the Creators. Why would the Creator block it's own will? There are lots of blocks to finding that calling...blocks that are just illusions but the only way to see them for what they are requires that you examine them. That's why the Service to Other path is so much easier then the Service to Self. There is one Belief that does outweigh all others which can wipe out all blocks. That is the only short cut that exists. The belief is so simple...that all of Creation is One...and that we are different projections of that One...and we are all One. When you can really look at another human being, or a plant or a dog, or a spider and know that you are...at a core level of being on another dimension you cannot perceive One harmonious entity...well, it changes your entire perspective and you have limitless compassion. That's an advanced point of view though...and so foreign to our modern scientific or religious ideas of reality it seems like utter nonsense. Yes, your thoughts are powerful and help the One Creator create the universe which is no finished...but you are merely one small aspect of the whole...and you can choose to block that river of energy by trying to assert your own will allowing it only to go into channels that you want which may not exist ...or you can submit and let it flow through you to everything around you. Eventually, in some life the service to self people will discover that to serve others is to serve the self because all are One...but it's a rough road. There is a line in the sand. Positive Thinking leads to self-service and that's why some find it so easy for them to apply. Yes, it can be the first step on the path to comprehending the Creator even for a Spiritual Seeker because it does represent a seed of truth that can be fully realized with more research...but for others it will lead them to a dead end filled with despair thinking the reason they are having negative experiences is because they are doing something wrong. Like a child trying to put together two magnets that are negatively charged the Positive Thinking movement will frustrate all but the few who find the Path of Service to Self easy because it is incomplete and does not promote harmony or unity but competition (a notion on which business thrives).
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Brave Soul! May Your Journey On The Path Of The Seeker Bring You Joy and Peace! I'm currently posting every Saturday. With a new addition the family I have pre-scheduled most posts through December 2022. Full Moon Posts will contain up-to-date content when I can get to them. Thank you so much for your support and understanding! This is a place where you can encounter new spiritual ideas that have helped me develop as an Individual On The Path of the Seeker. Take or Leave this information as you see fit. Archives
April 2024
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