On Thinking Positively

All students of spiritual living know the rewards of clear, affirmative thinking, which has been in the mind of the general public since Dr. Norman Vincent Peale’s book, “The Power of Positive Thinking,” was published in 1952. Students know how the mind responds to uplifting ideas and what the healthy practices of mental nourishment can provide. But as I was recently listening to health providers on PBS radio, I was reminded of something I had been neglecting. Affirmative thinking is more than simply a good, spiritual practice; our bodies also respond to a good dose of joyous thoughts and a funny story or two. The major subject of the radio conversation involved stress reduction, wherever and however it is found, and all the contributors agreed that even a little lightness of thoughts helps to reduce overheated blood pressures and churning stomachs.

Mind/Body beings...

We need to remember that we are mind/body beings and what affects one part of us affects the whole. An unhealthy body gives the mind great concern, and, on the other hand, an enlightened mind can give the body great ease. It makes perfectly good sense to engage in spiritually-enriching mental practices…using meditation and contemplation, for example, to quiet the mind so that it is open to Infinite Wisdoms. It is also sensible to remember that the body, our nearest “neighbor,” so to speak, is the thing that receives the first “hit” when we are either mentally upset or mentally in good harmony.

Cannot be at war...

Without a doubt, if we are to live really effective lives, every part of us needs to work in unity with every other part. We cannot be at war with ourselves and expect to think clearly and have the use of good, physical responses. And, of course, no one can fix this for us. No one can calm the fires of mental/physical agitation but ourselves. Can we think enough of ourselves to ask: Is what I am doing and thinking really honoring the mental/spiritual/physical being that I am? If we are willing to listen, our inner natures will give us the answer.


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