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When obstacles show up in our lives, we seem to have a natural propensity to view the issue in a negative light. Negative thinking is emotionally dangerous because it can block our personal growth, lead us to make bad decisions, and drive us to become the worst versions of ourselves. That’s why it’s important to do a mental reset, directing the mind away from the negative and into the positive.

In Buddhism, this perspective shift is called “right view” and is the first step of Buddhism’s Noble Eightfold Path. Right view means disciplining yourself to silence that inner negative voice, allowing optimistic and hopeful vision to emerge. According to the ancient Indian sage Patanjali, it’s not that complicated. He advises, “When presented with negative, disquieting thoughts or feelings, cultivate an opposite, elevated attitude.”

Anytime you find yourself in a negative frame of mind, acknowledge it and make a transition toward the positive. Doing so will enhance your life, says Swami Vivekananda, who writes, “Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience.” 
-Victor M Parachin, "How to Build Persistence the Buddhist Way," ​Spirituality & Health

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“The importance of patience and persistence to the success of any endeavor cannot be emphasized enough,” noted modern Buddhist master Hsing Yun. This combination is powerful because patience helps us endure delays and disappointments, while persistence motivates us to keep moving forward toward our objective. Anytime you feel that your patience level is weak, especially when facing difficulty, inspire yourself by reading and reflecting on these types of wisdom statements:
“Can you remain unmoving until the right action arises by itself?” -Lao Tzu
“The greater your patience, the closer you are to success.” -Hsing Yun
“The wonderful thing about patience, unlike commodities, is the more we use it, the more we offer it, the more we have.” -Alan Lokos
“Patience is the capacity to calm the mind under stress so we can see our way clearly.” -Ker Cleary
-Victor M Parachin, "How to Build Persistence the Buddhist Way," ​Spirituality & Health


Victor M. Parachin ... 

a Vedic 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. 

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