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We have a responsibility to control the mind. When the mind is focused on right thoughts, right actions, right words, right effort and right understanding, its impact can be enormous. The opposite is equally true. A focus on evil, greed, jealousy and self-interest can have a horrific impact. We all need to make time to quiet the mind and place our focus on healthy, wholesome thoughts.
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds There are many voices inside our minds, all of them crying out for attention. Get to know your unique inner talk so that you can effectively control it, much like the way a choir director leads a group of singers. What kind of voices are in your head? Are they sad, negative, joyless, frustrated, dispirited ones? Are they happy, positive, joyful, peaceful, passionate ones? Most of us have a blend of those two extremes. . . .
Take charge of your inner dialogue. When disturbing and negative voices emerge, notice them without judging them harshly, and direct them gently to soften and ease up. Simultaneously, pay attention to the voices that express gratitude, joy, compassion, kindness, love, peace, strength, humor. Direct your voices toward hope, happiness, harmony and your life with reflect those very qualities. -Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha At the end of your day or even at the beginning of a new day, go back and review the previous 24 hours asking yourself:
- What was I thinking? (then pause to review) - Why was I thinking that? (again, pause to review) - What was the result of those thoughts? (pause again to review) Conclude by reminding yourself, "I am not my thoughts and I have the power to choose and change my thoughts." -Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit Only you can exercise control of your thoughts. The ancient Indian sage Patanjali had this advice: "When presented with disquieting thoughts or feelings, cultivate an opposite elevated attitude." His wisdom is a reminder that we have the power to manage our own minds, that we can abruptly change what we imagine, feel and think. But there are times our mind seems to be engaged in a struggle for territory--a fight between positive thoughts vs. negative thoughts. Become a mental warrior and rally yourself to win that battle by taking control of your thoughts.
Here are some examples of switching perceptions from the negative to the positive: - For "I'll never get that job," switch to "I've got a strong resume, better than most." - For "I'm too old to return to college," switch over to "Many second career people return to school, and I can be one of them." - And for "I never get what I want," switch over to "I deserve the best life has to offer." -Victor M Parachin, "Five Steps to a More Positive Attitude" |
Victor M. Parachin ... aVedic educator, yoga instructor, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of a dozen books. Buy his books at amazon or your local bookstore. Sadly, Victor passed away in August 2025, but his blog continues. Janet Parachin, his partner of 45 years, shares quotes from his books and articles each week. Archives
May 2026
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