What does it mean when “it’s all in our mind?” How you are viewing the world, the perspective you are taking, whether consciously or unconsciously, truly ends up creating your world. 

The mind is part of being human. It’s no wonder that Patanjali Yoga Sutras (PYS), which is thousands of years old, continues to be as relevant now as it was in ancient times. The mind continues to be the mind and the tool we use to interact and make sense of the world. This hasn’t changed over the millennia. 

Negative thinking continues to take us for a ride because we mistake it as truth. Meeting negative thoughts takes effort and consistency in order to change them. But, when you start gaining control and really grasp the choice you have, your life will change and feel more empowering.

PATANJALI YOGA SUTRA 2.33

One of my most favorite practical Yoga Sutras is 2.33:

“When you are disturbed by unwholesome negative thoughts or emotions, cultivation of their opposites promotes self-control and firmness in the precepts.” – Mukunda Stiles

Let’s examine what this sutra is saying.

First, I want to point out what it’s not saying. Nowhere in this sutra does it say ‘avoid,’ ‘escape,’ ‘stuff,’ ‘judge,’ or ‘ignore’ negative thoughts or emotions. This is what most of us have been taught to do, right? When there’s a negative thought or emotion, we label it as “bad” and do whatever it takes to get as far away from it as we possibly can. And if we feel we can’t escape it, then we get bogged down by self-deprecation, ‘not good enough,’ ‘I’m bad,’ ‘I’m a failure,’ etc. 

I think we can all agree that these types of behaviors are not helping to “cultivate the opposite.” This behavior and thinking just strengthens and increases negativity. It isn’t leading to “self-control,” it’s leading to feeling powerless, helpless, and hopelessness. So, let’s do something differently!

EXAMINING THE MEANING

What are “unwholesome negative thoughts or emotions?” 

Unwholesome is defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “detrimental to physical, mental, or moral well-being.” The thoughts and emotions this sutra is focusing on are thoughts and emotions that are causing us harm physically, mentally and spiritually. It is asking us to stop tolerating these thoughts and emotions, encouraging us to detach from labeling them as ‘Who I am.’  Thoughts and emotions change, so they are not ‘Who I am.’ Who we are is permanent and unchanging. 

So, according to this sutra, these are the first two steps:

1. Commit to yourself that you are no longer going to give energy and listen to these thoughts and emotions that are causing harm to you. They aren’t ‘Truth.’
2. Begin to believe ‘I have thoughts and emotions, I am not my thoughts and emotions.’ They are part of the mind and body’s communication system. They are tools of the mind and body that we can use to help lead us to our True Nature.. Begin to detach from defining yourself by your thoughts and emotions.

The next step, which is more practical and will help strengthen your resolve to change your definition and actions around thoughts and emotions, is to become aware of yourself and your reactions. I define this process as Pause, Breathe, Notice.

CULTIVATE

Let’s look at the word “cultivate.” Cultivate means “to foster growth of,” “to improve by labor, care, or study,” and “further, encourage.” (Merriam Webster Dictionary) How beautiful this word is here! PYS is telling us to lean into our thoughts and emotions. Then examine them so that we can discern what thoughts and emotions we want to energy into. It’s about growing and encouraging a more positive perception and view of the world. 

To me, this is the key word of the sutra because it has nothing to do with aversion to some thoughts and emotions and attachments to others, i.e. “good” and “bad.” It’s asking us to be aware how certain thoughts and emotions are affecting our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. With that data, we can consciously choose which thoughts and emotions we want to continue to grow, as well as which ones to stop tending to and giving our energy towards. Talk about empowering!! 

And this sutra tells us exactly what to do if we want to cultivate a different thought or emotion…go the opposite. This also takes awareness and discernment to find what the opposite would be for you. Take time to ask your body and mind, “What is the exact opposite of this negative thought? What is the exact opposite emotion?” Once you get an answer, then ask yourself, “What action do I need to take to start growing and cultivating this opposite thought or emotion?”

Then start that practice. Sometimes it will instantly change your perspective, sometimes it will take more effort and practice. Notice, by changing your perspective…does it change your physical, mental and spiritual well-being? If it does, keep doing this practice of Pratipaksha Bhavana – cultivating the opposite of a thought or feeling.

Focusing on this one sutra for some time, integrating it into your daily life, will create amazing changes.

Change your mind, change your world.

Namaste.