Sept. 13, 2024
Changing the Mental Focus From Negative to Positive Objects: the Power of Positive Affirmations
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YouTube reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Powers Within, Chapter II Power of Thought, pp. 12-14 This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2024/09/08/changing-the-mental-focus-from-negative-to-positive-objects-the-power-of-positive-affirmations/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFJ791leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUFJJJpdslJjTC3Md4XHJL_FNUYO7LpJMkMI5XAsGvMkvzkysEEmBD3p5g_aem_FDgOGBTKdI1GZMtsQ_xFFA
Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are all available on the YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@santoshkrinsky871
More information about Sri Aurobindo can be found at www.aurobindo.net
The US editions and links to e-book editions of Sri Aurobindo’s writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com
1
00:00:01,400 --> 00:00:04,840
The idea that there is a law of
attraction has gained
2
00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:08,200
significant attention in the
West over the last few decades.
3
00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:12,440
It has largely been interpreted
by the materialistic mind of the
4
00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:17,080
West as a way to attract wealth
and all forms of fulfillment of
5
00:00:17,080 --> 00:00:20,800
desire.
This, however, is both a
6
00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:25,280
misreading and a misuse of the
incredible power that lies
7
00:00:25,280 --> 00:00:29,680
within us to turn our attention
and focus on some vibratory
8
00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:34,440
pattern, and thereby to create
an environment in our lives
9
00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:38,000
where that pattern brings us
into contact with all of its
10
00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:42,120
various aspects.
If we focus our attention on
11
00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:47,720
negativity, the idea that the
glass is empty or half full,
12
00:00:48,480 --> 00:00:51,760
then we are going to live a life
that is filled with negativity
13
00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:54,960
and we will experience
circumstances from that
14
00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:58,200
standpoint.
Not only will we interpret
15
00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:02,360
things negatively, but our
energy will actually call forth
16
00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:08,520
negative events to surround us.
If, on the other hand, we focus
17
00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:13,320
our attention on positivity,
harmony, beauty, uplifting
18
00:01:13,320 --> 00:01:17,400
ideas, we will find that those
things which embody these
19
00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:21,520
principles begin to fill our
lives more and more.
20
00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:26,640
Some may argue that this amounts
to seeing the world through rose
21
00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:30,440
colored glasses, implying that
this is a false view of the
22
00:01:30,440 --> 00:01:34,000
world.
They do not, however, recognize
23
00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:38,200
that we very much create the
reality within which we live,
24
00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:43,000
and each person's experience
will vary to the extent that he
25
00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:48,200
can harness his thoughts, direct
his focus, and open up his
26
00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:51,720
receptivity.
If this is done in a negative
27
00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:55,480
direction, then the individual
will experience suffering and
28
00:01:55,480 --> 00:02:00,960
disappointment all the time.
If in a positive direction, then
29
00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:03,600
he will begin to master
circumstances.
30
00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:08,400
There's a story about a man who
had a tour of hell and of
31
00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:11,200
heaven.
First he was shown hell.
32
00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:16,760
There was a table filled with
delicious foods and drinks, and
33
00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:20,440
around the table were sitting a
number of people eyeing the
34
00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:22,400
mouth watering foods before
them.
35
00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:27,800
It so happened however, that
each one had arms 6 feet long
36
00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:31,880
and without an elbow for
bending, so they wound up
37
00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:35,800
frustrated and starving with the
food right in front of them.
38
00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:39,600
The man was then transported to
heaven.
39
00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:45,240
To his surprise, he saw the very
same table, the very same
40
00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:49,640
people, and the very same 6 foot
long arms with no elbow.
41
00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:53,920
The difference was.
That the people in heaven.
42
00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:59,920
Were feeding each other.
The moral of the story is that
43
00:02:59,920 --> 00:03:03,240
we can either find the positive
way to enjoy the world that we
44
00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:05,600
live in.
Or the negative way.
45
00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:07,200
And depending.
On how?
46
00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:11,600
We focus our attention.
We will either suffer or enjoy
47
00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:15,520
our lives, the mother writes
Quote.
48
00:03:16,640 --> 00:03:19,440
One is quite surrounded by what
one thinks about.
49
00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:24,760
You understand quite well what
this means, turning to a child
50
00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:27,360
every time you think of
something.
51
00:03:27,640 --> 00:03:30,480
It is as though.
You had a magnet in your hand.
52
00:03:30,920 --> 00:03:31,920
And were.
Attracting.
53
00:03:31,920 --> 00:03:34,960
That thing towards yourself, you
understand.
54
00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:38,120
Now there are people who.
Have a very very.
55
00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:42,880
Bad habit of always thinking
about all possible catastrophes
56
00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:46,040
and are in a sort of constant
apprehension.
57
00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:49,080
About some.
Calamity befalling them the next
58
00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:51,720
moment.
I know many like that.
59
00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:54,320
There are some here.
And so.
60
00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:57,840
Those people have as though a
magnet in their hands to attract
61
00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:02,920
calamities not only upon
themselves but upon others also.
62
00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:06,320
That lays a big responsibility
upon them.
63
00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:09,680
And if one can't stop all the
time from thinking.
64
00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:13,160
About something.
Some have a head that runs on
65
00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,240
and they haven't found a way of
stopping it.
66
00:04:16,079 --> 00:04:19,560
Well, why not make it run on the
right lines instead of letting
67
00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:22,760
it run on the others once your
head begins to?
68
00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:24,920
Run.
Let it run on all the good
69
00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:28,600
things that can happen.
If it is obliged to turn round
70
00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:31,920
and round, well, turn them to
the good side.
71
00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:36,920
That is, if somebody is ill,
instead of saying what's going
72
00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:40,160
to happen, perhaps this is going
to be very serious.
73
00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:44,640
And if it is that disease and a
calamity comes so quickly
74
00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:50,200
instead of all that, if one
thinks, oh, that's nothing.
75
00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:53,520
Illnesses are outer illusions
translating some deeper
76
00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:54,960
vibrations, which are.
Not.
77
00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:58,200
Seen that is why 1 doesn't speak
about them.
78
00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:02,280
But that's how it is.
And these deeper vibrations may
79
00:05:02,280 --> 00:05:05,040
come and set in order what has
been disturbed.
80
00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:09,600
And this imbalance, this illness
or bad thing that has come,
81
00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:13,800
well, it will be absorbed by the
grace and will disappear.
82
00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:18,480
No trace of it will remain,
except that of things agreeable
83
00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:22,080
and pleasant.
One may continue to think in
84
00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,920
this way uninterruptedly.
People always need to make their
85
00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:31,000
mind run, run, run, but then
make it run on the right lines.
86
00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:33,080
You will see that it has an
effect.
87
00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:36,560
For instance, let it go like
this.
88
00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:40,680
That I shall learn better and
better, Shall know better and
89
00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:42,680
better become.
Healthier and.
90
00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:47,520
Healthier and all difficulties
will vanish, and wicked people
91
00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:49,040
will become sweet and.
Good.
92
00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:53,440
And ill people will be cured,
and houses which should be built
93
00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:57,080
will be built, and those things
which should disappear will
94
00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:00,440
disappear, but giving place to
better things.
95
00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:03,720
And the world will move in a
constant progress.
96
00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:06,480
And at the end of that progress,
there will be.
97
00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:10,080
A total harmony.
And so on and continue.
98
00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:15,240
Thus you can go on endlessly,
but then you will have around
99
00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:19,440
you and around your head all
kinds of pretty things.
100
00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:23,000
Those who perceive the
atmosphere see certain inky
101
00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:27,000
stains, like an octopus there,
yes, like that, with its
102
00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,320
tentacles to try and upset your
mind.
103
00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:35,000
Instead of that, one will see
happy formations, formations of
104
00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:40,040
light or rays of sunlight, or
perhaps beautiful pictures.
105
00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:43,760
All that one will see beautiful
things.
106
00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:48,440
There are painters who do that
and they always catch thoughts.
107
00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:53,240
End Quote.
Reference Sri Aurobindo and the
108
00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:56,840
Mother powers within.
Chapter 2.
109
00:06:57,200 --> 00:07:00,640
Power of Thought, pages 12 to
14.
00:00:01,400 --> 00:00:04,840
The idea that there is a law of
attraction has gained
2
00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:08,200
significant attention in the
West over the last few decades.
3
00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:12,440
It has largely been interpreted
by the materialistic mind of the
4
00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:17,080
West as a way to attract wealth
and all forms of fulfillment of
5
00:00:17,080 --> 00:00:20,800
desire.
This, however, is both a
6
00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:25,280
misreading and a misuse of the
incredible power that lies
7
00:00:25,280 --> 00:00:29,680
within us to turn our attention
and focus on some vibratory
8
00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:34,440
pattern, and thereby to create
an environment in our lives
9
00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:38,000
where that pattern brings us
into contact with all of its
10
00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:42,120
various aspects.
If we focus our attention on
11
00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:47,720
negativity, the idea that the
glass is empty or half full,
12
00:00:48,480 --> 00:00:51,760
then we are going to live a life
that is filled with negativity
13
00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:54,960
and we will experience
circumstances from that
14
00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:58,200
standpoint.
Not only will we interpret
15
00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:02,360
things negatively, but our
energy will actually call forth
16
00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:08,520
negative events to surround us.
If, on the other hand, we focus
17
00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:13,320
our attention on positivity,
harmony, beauty, uplifting
18
00:01:13,320 --> 00:01:17,400
ideas, we will find that those
things which embody these
19
00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:21,520
principles begin to fill our
lives more and more.
20
00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:26,640
Some may argue that this amounts
to seeing the world through rose
21
00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:30,440
colored glasses, implying that
this is a false view of the
22
00:01:30,440 --> 00:01:34,000
world.
They do not, however, recognize
23
00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:38,200
that we very much create the
reality within which we live,
24
00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:43,000
and each person's experience
will vary to the extent that he
25
00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:48,200
can harness his thoughts, direct
his focus, and open up his
26
00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:51,720
receptivity.
If this is done in a negative
27
00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:55,480
direction, then the individual
will experience suffering and
28
00:01:55,480 --> 00:02:00,960
disappointment all the time.
If in a positive direction, then
29
00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:03,600
he will begin to master
circumstances.
30
00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:08,400
There's a story about a man who
had a tour of hell and of
31
00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:11,200
heaven.
First he was shown hell.
32
00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:16,760
There was a table filled with
delicious foods and drinks, and
33
00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:20,440
around the table were sitting a
number of people eyeing the
34
00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:22,400
mouth watering foods before
them.
35
00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:27,800
It so happened however, that
each one had arms 6 feet long
36
00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:31,880
and without an elbow for
bending, so they wound up
37
00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:35,800
frustrated and starving with the
food right in front of them.
38
00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:39,600
The man was then transported to
heaven.
39
00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:45,240
To his surprise, he saw the very
same table, the very same
40
00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:49,640
people, and the very same 6 foot
long arms with no elbow.
41
00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:53,920
The difference was.
That the people in heaven.
42
00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:59,920
Were feeding each other.
The moral of the story is that
43
00:02:59,920 --> 00:03:03,240
we can either find the positive
way to enjoy the world that we
44
00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:05,600
live in.
Or the negative way.
45
00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:07,200
And depending.
On how?
46
00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:11,600
We focus our attention.
We will either suffer or enjoy
47
00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:15,520
our lives, the mother writes
Quote.
48
00:03:16,640 --> 00:03:19,440
One is quite surrounded by what
one thinks about.
49
00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:24,760
You understand quite well what
this means, turning to a child
50
00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:27,360
every time you think of
something.
51
00:03:27,640 --> 00:03:30,480
It is as though.
You had a magnet in your hand.
52
00:03:30,920 --> 00:03:31,920
And were.
Attracting.
53
00:03:31,920 --> 00:03:34,960
That thing towards yourself, you
understand.
54
00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:38,120
Now there are people who.
Have a very very.
55
00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:42,880
Bad habit of always thinking
about all possible catastrophes
56
00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:46,040
and are in a sort of constant
apprehension.
57
00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:49,080
About some.
Calamity befalling them the next
58
00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:51,720
moment.
I know many like that.
59
00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:54,320
There are some here.
And so.
60
00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:57,840
Those people have as though a
magnet in their hands to attract
61
00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:02,920
calamities not only upon
themselves but upon others also.
62
00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:06,320
That lays a big responsibility
upon them.
63
00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:09,680
And if one can't stop all the
time from thinking.
64
00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:13,160
About something.
Some have a head that runs on
65
00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,240
and they haven't found a way of
stopping it.
66
00:04:16,079 --> 00:04:19,560
Well, why not make it run on the
right lines instead of letting
67
00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:22,760
it run on the others once your
head begins to?
68
00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:24,920
Run.
Let it run on all the good
69
00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:28,600
things that can happen.
If it is obliged to turn round
70
00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:31,920
and round, well, turn them to
the good side.
71
00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:36,920
That is, if somebody is ill,
instead of saying what's going
72
00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:40,160
to happen, perhaps this is going
to be very serious.
73
00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:44,640
And if it is that disease and a
calamity comes so quickly
74
00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:50,200
instead of all that, if one
thinks, oh, that's nothing.
75
00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:53,520
Illnesses are outer illusions
translating some deeper
76
00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:54,960
vibrations, which are.
Not.
77
00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:58,200
Seen that is why 1 doesn't speak
about them.
78
00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:02,280
But that's how it is.
And these deeper vibrations may
79
00:05:02,280 --> 00:05:05,040
come and set in order what has
been disturbed.
80
00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:09,600
And this imbalance, this illness
or bad thing that has come,
81
00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:13,800
well, it will be absorbed by the
grace and will disappear.
82
00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:18,480
No trace of it will remain,
except that of things agreeable
83
00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:22,080
and pleasant.
One may continue to think in
84
00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,920
this way uninterruptedly.
People always need to make their
85
00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:31,000
mind run, run, run, but then
make it run on the right lines.
86
00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:33,080
You will see that it has an
effect.
87
00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:36,560
For instance, let it go like
this.
88
00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:40,680
That I shall learn better and
better, Shall know better and
89
00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:42,680
better become.
Healthier and.
90
00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:47,520
Healthier and all difficulties
will vanish, and wicked people
91
00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:49,040
will become sweet and.
Good.
92
00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:53,440
And ill people will be cured,
and houses which should be built
93
00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:57,080
will be built, and those things
which should disappear will
94
00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:00,440
disappear, but giving place to
better things.
95
00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:03,720
And the world will move in a
constant progress.
96
00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:06,480
And at the end of that progress,
there will be.
97
00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:10,080
A total harmony.
And so on and continue.
98
00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:15,240
Thus you can go on endlessly,
but then you will have around
99
00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:19,440
you and around your head all
kinds of pretty things.
100
00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:23,000
Those who perceive the
atmosphere see certain inky
101
00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:27,000
stains, like an octopus there,
yes, like that, with its
102
00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,320
tentacles to try and upset your
mind.
103
00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:35,000
Instead of that, one will see
happy formations, formations of
104
00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:40,040
light or rays of sunlight, or
perhaps beautiful pictures.
105
00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:43,760
All that one will see beautiful
things.
106
00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:48,440
There are painters who do that
and they always catch thoughts.
107
00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:53,240
End Quote.
Reference Sri Aurobindo and the
108
00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:56,840
Mother powers within.
Chapter 2.
109
00:06:57,200 --> 00:07:00,640
Power of Thought, pages 12 to
14.