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The only way out is through.... |
| Febuary, 2006 |
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Sometimes we human beings get caught in negative thoughts, which in itself causes us much unhappiness. During meditation you might hear yourself say, “I’m an impossible, incompetent mess. I can’t do anything right.” Or, with great anger, “How can he be so mean, so selfish, so bad?” You might even hear, “Why doesn’t she understand that I’m right about this and she’s wrong.”
When we listen to these thoughts we observe that they can come in bursts of anger or in a low grade but ever-present stream of frustration. We observe that they can be directed outward toward others, toward the world at large, or inward toward the self.
Caught in illusion, many people assume that this negativity is a problem – their problem. And they assume they have to get rid of it to feel happy. But negativity isn’t a thing. And it can’t be owned. Instead it’s an activity that comes and goes.
Developing clear awareness, we experience angry thoughts arise, do their
dance and fade away; we watch disappointments arise, do their dance and
fade away. At some point we realize there isn’t any need to add
on to these thoughts. In fact we don’t need to do anything –
except to listen matter-of-factly, with equanimity.
