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| 786 The Zahuri Sufi Web Site |
The Thought Patterns of The Mystics
(First published in August 1981)
One of a long series of lectures written over about 18 years for the Society of Mystics by Dr Zahurul Hassan
Sharib. Originally these were published by Asma Publications, Ajmer, India. They are shortly to be brought out
as one volume in Delhi. Information on obtaining the full set of lectures can be had by e-mailing
j-morris@dircon.co.uk . This lecture was written by Dr Sharib following a near fatal illness, requiring major
surgery and a period of hospitalisation.
Praise be to God, Who has enabled me to talk to you once again. I feel better, happier, and
stronger after my recent illness, which was described by some as very serious, and by others as
a fatal malady that threatened to cut short my days of life.
I find myself filled once again with an abundant supply of life's creative forces. I have renewed
vigour, vitality, force and enthusiasm, - and may I say that I have a desire to meet you, to talk to
you, to exchange ideas and greetings with you.
I assure you that, during all this time, I was with you. It is true that I was not with you physically.
But it is equally true that I was with you in thought. Thought often took me to distant lands and
far-off countries, where some of you live and work.
Thought travels at a tremendous speed, which no jet can compete with.
It was a pleasure for me, indeed, that thought took me to your doorstep. As soon as I entered in I
found some of you sitting by the fireside, engaged in talk, and I found some of you watching the
TV and enjoying a cricket match, or some feature or documentary film. I met some of you in a
scented garden where you had gone for a stroll.
I met some of you returning home after the day's toil and trial - narrating with some sense of
satisfaction the short and simple triumphs of the day. When you were narrating these tales of
wonder and excitement it you appeared to me like a hero, or may I say a conqueror, just returned
from the battlefield after winning a victory over odds, just for a day.
I assure you that each day is a life in itself, and, if you make right use of the day, you make right
use of life.
But I am a little sorry to say that I found some of you appeared to be dismayed, downcast, and
desperate. Why are they desperate? Why have they lost interest in life? Why have they lost zest
for life? Why does life seem to be endless agony, like a dark night to them? The answer is not
hard to find. Their negative thoughts, like scorpions, are tormenting them. If they change the
trend of their thinking I am sure they will be able to change their mode of life.
The fact is that we have an outward life, and we have an inward life. Our outward life is
dependent upon our inward life. The saints and the mystics have emphasised the importance of
a better type of inward life.
There can be no doubt that outward life is a reflection of inward life.
The saints and the mystics first cleaned and purified their thought in order to get a better and
more positive type of inward life, and they thus renewed a right spirit within.
"As you sow so shall you reap" is an old adage. Likewise, we can say that as you think, so you
become. If you sow the seed of positive thought you will reap the rich harvest of a better and
nobler life.
The dominating thought habits of the mystics constitute the spirit of mysticism.
What modern man has forgotten to his own detriment is the value of the art of positive thinking.
To a mystic his positive thoughts are his best equipment. They are, in fact, a cause of inspiration
and strength to him.
The principle of cause and effect governs our thinking also. If we think positively, we live happily.
If we think positively we live successfully. Our thinking makes us conqueror or conquered.
Positive thinking gives added energy, stamina, and strength.
In other words, positive thinking will make our personality positive, giving us the joy of living, and
at the same time giving others the benefit of our positive suggestions. If, on the other hand, we
have unfortunately allowed ourselves to be besieged by negative thoughts, we are not the only
person to suffer. Others who come in contact with us also suffer.
Negative thoughts lend a negative complex and colour to our life. They make our life a burden,
and a source of private nuisance to others.
From what I have said above it is evident that thought control is of vital importance.
Thought control implies self-control. Self-control implies self- discipline. Self-discipline means a
trained mind, disciplined habits, self-respect, mutual respect, self-knowledge, self-reverence,
balanced judgement, harmony, and the spirit of toleration.
Self-discipline points to the desire of an individual to rule over himself and to govern himself.
Which means that he comes to assume the power of a sovereign, and now, at last, he wears the
crown, studied, not with diamonds and precious stones, but with the invaluable virtue of
self-mastery.
Self mastery, let me tell you, implies a positive mental attitude, which is of great use and
consequence. It is a trusted friend, a good companion, and a reliable guide.
A positive mental attitude is the creation of positive thoughts. Thought is important. It is said that
thought rules the world. Such being the case, it is necessary then that we should cultivate
positive thoughts.
Our positive thought is our humble contribution to the welfare, advancement, peace, prosperity
and happiness of mankind.
The way to get a good life is to be armed with good thought. By good life is meant a life of virtue
and happiness. Good thoughts imply positive thoughts.
Spiritual life is not merely the practice of penance and asceticism, but the cultivation of positive
thoughts - thoughts of love, kindness, sympathy, and service.
Right thinking precedes right action. Right action precedes right living. Right living exhibits the
spirit of compromise, thankfulness, gratitude, contentment, and, above all, the spirit of self control.
To give a good thought to someone is better than to offer a precious gem.
A good thought is like the fragrance of a flower. It is capable of giving new dimension to our life.
A good thought is a grace and a blessing. We should welcome a good thought as we welcome a
guest.
Man is responsible for his own misfortune. He himself invites trials and tribulations. He gets what
he thinks. He reaps as he sows. His outward life is determined by, and planned for him by, his
inward life. Inward life is the result of his thoughts. If he holds the positive thoughts of courage,
determination, cheerfulness, mercy, generosity, patience, perseverance, love, forgiveness and
hope, he will exhibit the same qualities in his outward life.
On the other hand if a person holds the negative thoughts of hatred, revenge, and malice, he
exhibits the same traits in his outward life.
The fact is that an individual becomes that upon which he concentrates most.
An individual's self-image is carved out by his thoughts.
The thoughts of fear and of illness, and in fact all negative thoughts are more dangerous than
snakes and scorpions. They are like wild beasts, and as you know, we should keep ourselves at
a safe distance from them.
People have fear of death, of loss of livelihood, of loss in business, of being criticised, of failure
and above all the fear of losing popularity and affluence. Such fears are imaginary fears. They
have no leg to stand on. Once the thought of these fears is magnified and concentrated upon for
long they become a reality. Such abnormal fears should be resisted.
Thought of illness is suicidal and dangerous. Health implies harmony. The negative thoughts
disturb harmony, and bring about ill-health and physical trouble. Those who cherish and nourish
negative thoughts for long become peevish and are deprived of hope - hope of a better life,
better living, better business, and a better time. Sometimes it so happens that they meet a
premature death.
Negative thoughts create excitement. The excitement, so caused, has a great bearing on life.
Besides other things, like indigestion, insomnia, and rheumatism, the breathing becomes swift,
with the result that life becomes short.
Health depends upon positive thoughts. What is health after all? Health is a delicate fabric.
Health is harmony and adjustment. When the mind, body, spirit and soul work coherently, the
result is health. Once the harmony is disturbed, the result is illness.
Inner conflict brings diseases. Our mind rules our body. Disease and health derive their source
from our thoughts. Thought of disease leads to disease. Thought of health keeps us healthy.
High blood pressure is a common disease that is a creation of the Age of Anxiety. Those who live
in confrontation and tension suffer from high blood pressure.
Tension is brought about by thought. Thoughts of resentment, revenge, malice, and envy affect
the body in such a way that it is deprived of the power of resistance.
Thoughts of anxiety and worry sap the energy and render the body weak.
Thoughts of fear are enough to shoot a man down. He does not require any bullet or sword to be
wounded or killed.
Negative thoughts, impure thoughts, and selfish thoughts create blood poisoning.
Thoughts of fear, of doubt, of diffidence, and indecision do not give anything except pessimism
and loss of hope.
Hence to be healthy and successful, it is necessary that we first conquer fear, doubt and
diffidence.
Guidelines
Positive thoughts give coherence and fundamental unity to life, with the result that an individual
entertaining positive thoughts leads a placid, calm and serene life. His life is not disturbed by
outer distractions. He enjoys peace and tranquillity of mind.
When the procession of life is orderly, marked by serenity and tranquillity, then the powers which
lie dormant and passive in an individual, become awakened and alive. He then receives intuition,
inspiration, and welcome [spiritual] manifestation. He begins to lead a creative life, living in such a
way that not only is he benefited, but others too derive benefit from his thoughts.
A person of positive thinking is like a bright lamp, shedding light all around.
If we have positive thoughts we may not stop the tempest or avert the storm, but we can at least
save the boat from being sunk.
Failure and success are the result of thought. Our thought pattern determines the pattern of our
life. In other words the pattern of our life is carved out for us by our thoughts.
Achievement is the reward of concentrated positive thought. A well directed thought, coupled with
resolution, determination, and perspiration can secure for us the object we want to achieve.
If we sincerely desire a thing we shall get it. If we aspire for a thing, we shall achieve it.
Happiness is an achievement. A good life is an achievement. But they cannot be achieved
without good and intense positive thoughts.
Our thoughts spin and weave the garment of our outer life. Outward life is a reflection of our
inward life, and inward life is what it has been made by our thought pattern.
A man's character is manifested in his thoughts. What his thoughts are, that is his character.
What his character is, that he is in fact.
Thus, thought is destiny.
The mystics had their thoughts and attention ever fixed upon higher aims and objects, and better
ideas and ideals.
It has been said, "Resist not evil". If we concentrate our thoughts on evil, then evil will be
actualised, and made real. So, as Tennyson says:-
"Think well! Do well will follow thought,
And in the fatal sequence of this world,
An evil thought may soil thy children's blood;
But curb the beast would keep thee in the mire,
And leave the hot swamp of voluptuousness,
A cloud between the Nameless and thyself."
Our mind is a garden and we are the gardener. Our life is a little Joint-stock Company and we are
the Managing Director.
The thought forces mould and shape character.
Man is a creative force and a power. Out of our thoughts grow circumstances. Our thought forces
attract the things we most love and cherish.
With every good positive thought, there comes the seed of opportunity.
Opportunity changes circumstances.
The fact is that an individual attracts only that which he is. He does not attract that which he
wants.
You may have read Macbeth written by Shakespeare. It is a famous tragedy.
Macbeth asks the question:-
"Canst thou not minister to a mind diseas'd,
Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,
Raze out the written troubles of the brain,
And with some sweet oblivious antidote
Cleanse the stuff'd bosom of that perilous stuff
Which weighs upon the heart?"
And do you know what the reply is? It is:-
. .........."Therein the patient
Must administer to himself."
People in modern times are asking the same question:-
"Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased?"
The answer is the same. It is obvious and simple. You must look to yourself. You, yourself, are
your physician. You, yourself, are the architect of the edifice of your life. Do not look to external
help. Help yourself. You alone can reform yourself. You alone can shake off your negative
thoughts and replace them by positive thoughts.
Thereby you can have calm thoughts. Your positive thoughts will give you faith and a radiant
personality.
They will stimulate your will, kindle your imagination, and inspire you with new ideas. They will
give you a new hope and a reborn assurance. They will kindle new aspirations.
Intelligence should be rightly used. That intelligence is best which teaches us to avoid failures.
Once we have learnt to rise above failures, we have unfolded a great mystery. Let us learn to
avoid the things that lead to the narrow and deep pit of failure. You must not allow, then, the loss
of hope.
Feelings of loneliness, uncertainty, insecurity, anger, resentment, inferiority, and indecision,
should be resisted and overcome.
"Let each man learn to know himself,
To gain that knowledge let him labour.
Correct those failings in himself
Which he condemns so in his neighbour."
It has been said that a man is known by the company he keeps. If a person keeps company with
feelings which do more harm than good, he will be known as an embodiment and an emblem of
those feelings. Thus he will be known by his enemies, more than by his friends who are the
feelings of love, tolerance, disinterested service, and optimism.
The eminent French philosopher Montaigne has very aptly said that:-
"A man is not hurt so much by what happens as by his opinions of what happens."
We may form any opinion that we like, but before we do so we should realise our responsibility
and the consequences.
Pure thoughts are necessary for self-awareness. Self-awareness is the hallmark of a trained
mind and a cultured man.
Confrontation, in whatever shape, form, or guise it may appear, is sure to deprive an individual of
the sense of proportion and perspective. But self-confrontation will be a dismal failure, if it is not
factual and not backed by sincerity.
Help comes from various sources, and it comes in different guises. It may assume the form of
advice or sympathy, guidance and encouragement. Advice and guidance date from time
immemorial. The doctor and the lawyer gives professional advice to their patient and their client
respectively. The spiritual guide extends specific advice to his disciples. The priest gives advice
from the pulpit, and the politician exhorts the people from the platform. The expert in any field is
also liberal in his advice.
But the fact is that no amount of exhortation and advice, counselling and guidance, and
encouragement and sympathy, will do you any good permanently, unless you yourself are willing
and prepared to change your thought pattern and your feelings.
The mystics have controlled their thoughts. They do not allow their mind to wander. They do not
allow the thoughts that they do not like, to enter their mind. You can do the same.
Suggestions
Perhaps you want to know how you can change your thoughts. How you can have vibrating,
illuminating, and inspiring positive thoughts, which will serve as a soothing balm, protecting you
from confrontation and shielding you from tension, and the thoughts which will give you the wings
to fly.
The first and foremost thing is that you must know the method that I prefer to call the Law of
Substitution. Substitution is as important as discretion. Discretion means that out of two things
one must choose one and leave the other. It also means that out of two situations in which a
person finds himself, he may prefer one to the other. Substitution means that, out of two things,
one thing should be taken and be replaced by the other.
Acting on the Law of Substitution, we should transmute any negative thought into its opposite,
positive, thought. Thus thoughts of hate and dislike should be transmuted into the thoughts of
love and good-will. Thoughts of fear should be replaced by the thoughts of confident trust, and
that of poverty [changed] to abundance, and that of evil into good.
Thoughts of egoism should be transmuted into thoughts of altruism. Thoughts of selfishness
should be replaced by the thought of kindness, and thought of revenge should be transmuted
into thoughts of forgiveness.
Thoughts of indecision and infatuation can be overcome by the exercise of discretion. Thought of
vanity should be replaced by the thought of simplicity.
Once you have learnt to change the thought pattern, you have, indeed, discovered the fountain
of happiness, bliss, and peace, flowing within you. It requires an effort. Thus you should try to
transmute the thought of gloom into cheerfulness. Thoughts of anxiety and worry should be
replaced by the inspiring thoughts of inner satisfaction and inner certainty.
The thought of anger should be replaced by the thought of self-control. The thought of cruelty
should give place to the thought of mercy.
In short, negative thoughts and negative feelings should be replaced, dislocated, or displaced, by
substituting their opposite.
The Law of Substitution helps us to entertain counter thoughts. When you are seized, or
besieged by tormenting thoughts, negative thoughts, negative feelings, and by the thoughts you
do not want to entertain, then leave your bed, or your table, or your room and go out to some
garden, or to some park or fountain, or to some place offering natural beauty. Enjoy the fresh air
and see the flowers smiling, and hear the birds singing in the trees. Walk or sit on the carpet of
green grass.
You may also, on such occasions, engage yourself in some hobby in which you feel deeply
interested. You may play games or you may go out boating. You may start reading a book of
poetry, or some other book, or you may read some religious book. You may also begin to pray.
You may sing some beautiful song or you may hear music.
Meditation is another way of driving out bad thoughts.
Do one thing at a time and have one thought at a time.
Relax your body and mind.
Have a compartmentalised mind - open the cupboard of the mind that contains good thoughts,
and close the cupboard of the mind giving you bad thoughts, at your own sweet will.
Take the Universe as your own, and love it, and also love the animals and the birds, and love
also the plants and the shrubs.
Do not be over ambitious. Curtail your desires. Try to have good company, good friends, and
good associates. Ignore the trifles of life. Do not be over sensitive. Do not feel too much. If you
do not feel you will feel that nothing has happened.
Avoid arguments and discussions. Concentrate your thoughts on lofty aims and ideals and higher
pursuits. Be by yourself everyday for some time. Be interested in people and in the environment
in which you live and work.
Let thoughts of happiness, prosperity and progress, Divine Grace, thankfulness and gratitude,
be your constant companions.
Do not concentrate on an undesirable thought too long, and the thought will die out of itself. Do
not allow wandering thoughts to enter your mind, and if they have entered, do not allow them to
stay in your mind. For this it is necessary that you should practice concentration. You may also
have recourse to meditation.
Signposts
Latent power lies hidden within us. Let us find it and seize it. We are capable of making our life
interesting, successful, happy and useful. The saints and the mystics, by their precept and
practice, have shown that lofty, noble, illuminating and inspiring thoughts can give peace of mind
- so very necessary for a good life.
There flowed powerful waves of positive thoughts from the convent, monastery, and retreat of the
saints and the mystics, giving to, and conferring on, the people a positive approach to life, and
inner peace. Let the same flow from you, from your bedchamber, ante-chamber, and from your
drawing room and dining room - rendering people better and richer, and making the world a
happy haven of repose.
Do not carry a heavy burden upon your shoulders. It will do you no good. Forget the burden of
the worries of Yesterday. Ignore the cares of Tomorrow. Just learn to live in the Present.
In the interest of better living, in the interest of world peace, in the interest of social harmony, in
the interest of universal brotherhood and fellow feeling, in the interest of world solidarity, and in
the interest of national integration and friendly international relations, we should try to mould and
shape our life in accordance with the pattern of life and thought of the saints and mystics.
Of course we can. And we must.
Zahurul Hassan Sharib
Ajmer, India.
August 1981
first published on the world wide web 31.7.00
(First published in August 1981)
One of a long series of lectures written over about 18 years for the Society of Mystics by Dr Zahurul Hassan
Sharib. Originally these were published by Asma Publications, Ajmer, India. They are shortly to be brought out
as one volume in Delhi. Information on obtaining the full set of lectures can be had by e-mailing
j-morris@dircon.co.uk . This lecture was written by Dr Sharib following a near fatal illness, requiring major
surgery and a period of hospitalisation.
Praise be to God, Who has enabled me to talk to you once again. I feel better, happier, and
stronger after my recent illness, which was described by some as very serious, and by others as
a fatal malady that threatened to cut short my days of life.
I find myself filled once again with an abundant supply of life's creative forces. I have renewed
vigour, vitality, force and enthusiasm, - and may I say that I have a desire to meet you, to talk to
you, to exchange ideas and greetings with you.
I assure you that, during all this time, I was with you. It is true that I was not with you physically.
But it is equally true that I was with you in thought. Thought often took me to distant lands and
far-off countries, where some of you live and work.
Thought travels at a tremendous speed, which no jet can compete with.
It was a pleasure for me, indeed, that thought took me to your doorstep. As soon as I entered in I
found some of you sitting by the fireside, engaged in talk, and I found some of you watching the
TV and enjoying a cricket match, or some feature or documentary film. I met some of you in a
scented garden where you had gone for a stroll.
I met some of you returning home after the day's toil and trial - narrating with some sense of
satisfaction the short and simple triumphs of the day. When you were narrating these tales of
wonder and excitement it you appeared to me like a hero, or may I say a conqueror, just returned
from the battlefield after winning a victory over odds, just for a day.
I assure you that each day is a life in itself, and, if you make right use of the day, you make right
use of life.
But I am a little sorry to say that I found some of you appeared to be dismayed, downcast, and
desperate. Why are they desperate? Why have they lost interest in life? Why have they lost zest
for life? Why does life seem to be endless agony, like a dark night to them? The answer is not
hard to find. Their negative thoughts, like scorpions, are tormenting them. If they change the
trend of their thinking I am sure they will be able to change their mode of life.
The fact is that we have an outward life, and we have an inward life. Our outward life is
dependent upon our inward life. The saints and the mystics have emphasised the importance of
a better type of inward life.
There can be no doubt that outward life is a reflection of inward life.
The saints and the mystics first cleaned and purified their thought in order to get a better and
more positive type of inward life, and they thus renewed a right spirit within.
"As you sow so shall you reap" is an old adage. Likewise, we can say that as you think, so you
become. If you sow the seed of positive thought you will reap the rich harvest of a better and
nobler life.
The dominating thought habits of the mystics constitute the spirit of mysticism.
What modern man has forgotten to his own detriment is the value of the art of positive thinking.
To a mystic his positive thoughts are his best equipment. They are, in fact, a cause of inspiration
and strength to him.
The principle of cause and effect governs our thinking also. If we think positively, we live happily.
If we think positively we live successfully. Our thinking makes us conqueror or conquered.
Positive thinking gives added energy, stamina, and strength.
In other words, positive thinking will make our personality positive, giving us the joy of living, and
at the same time giving others the benefit of our positive suggestions. If, on the other hand, we
have unfortunately allowed ourselves to be besieged by negative thoughts, we are not the only
person to suffer. Others who come in contact with us also suffer.
Negative thoughts lend a negative complex and colour to our life. They make our life a burden,
and a source of private nuisance to others.
From what I have said above it is evident that thought control is of vital importance.
Thought control implies self-control. Self-control implies self- discipline. Self-discipline means a
trained mind, disciplined habits, self-respect, mutual respect, self-knowledge, self-reverence,
balanced judgement, harmony, and the spirit of toleration.
Self-discipline points to the desire of an individual to rule over himself and to govern himself.
Which means that he comes to assume the power of a sovereign, and now, at last, he wears the
crown, studied, not with diamonds and precious stones, but with the invaluable virtue of
self-mastery.
Self mastery, let me tell you, implies a positive mental attitude, which is of great use and
consequence. It is a trusted friend, a good companion, and a reliable guide.
A positive mental attitude is the creation of positive thoughts. Thought is important. It is said that
thought rules the world. Such being the case, it is necessary then that we should cultivate
positive thoughts.
Our positive thought is our humble contribution to the welfare, advancement, peace, prosperity
and happiness of mankind.
The way to get a good life is to be armed with good thought. By good life is meant a life of virtue
and happiness. Good thoughts imply positive thoughts.
Spiritual life is not merely the practice of penance and asceticism, but the cultivation of positive
thoughts - thoughts of love, kindness, sympathy, and service.
Right thinking precedes right action. Right action precedes right living. Right living exhibits the
spirit of compromise, thankfulness, gratitude, contentment, and, above all, the spirit of self control.
To give a good thought to someone is better than to offer a precious gem.
A good thought is like the fragrance of a flower. It is capable of giving new dimension to our life.
A good thought is a grace and a blessing. We should welcome a good thought as we welcome a
guest.
Man is responsible for his own misfortune. He himself invites trials and tribulations. He gets what
he thinks. He reaps as he sows. His outward life is determined by, and planned for him by, his
inward life. Inward life is the result of his thoughts. If he holds the positive thoughts of courage,
determination, cheerfulness, mercy, generosity, patience, perseverance, love, forgiveness and
hope, he will exhibit the same qualities in his outward life.
On the other hand if a person holds the negative thoughts of hatred, revenge, and malice, he
exhibits the same traits in his outward life.
The fact is that an individual becomes that upon which he concentrates most.
An individual's self-image is carved out by his thoughts.
The thoughts of fear and of illness, and in fact all negative thoughts are more dangerous than
snakes and scorpions. They are like wild beasts, and as you know, we should keep ourselves at
a safe distance from them.
People have fear of death, of loss of livelihood, of loss in business, of being criticised, of failure
and above all the fear of losing popularity and affluence. Such fears are imaginary fears. They
have no leg to stand on. Once the thought of these fears is magnified and concentrated upon for
long they become a reality. Such abnormal fears should be resisted.
Thought of illness is suicidal and dangerous. Health implies harmony. The negative thoughts
disturb harmony, and bring about ill-health and physical trouble. Those who cherish and nourish
negative thoughts for long become peevish and are deprived of hope - hope of a better life,
better living, better business, and a better time. Sometimes it so happens that they meet a
premature death.
Negative thoughts create excitement. The excitement, so caused, has a great bearing on life.
Besides other things, like indigestion, insomnia, and rheumatism, the breathing becomes swift,
with the result that life becomes short.
Health depends upon positive thoughts. What is health after all? Health is a delicate fabric.
Health is harmony and adjustment. When the mind, body, spirit and soul work coherently, the
result is health. Once the harmony is disturbed, the result is illness.
Inner conflict brings diseases. Our mind rules our body. Disease and health derive their source
from our thoughts. Thought of disease leads to disease. Thought of health keeps us healthy.
High blood pressure is a common disease that is a creation of the Age of Anxiety. Those who live
in confrontation and tension suffer from high blood pressure.
Tension is brought about by thought. Thoughts of resentment, revenge, malice, and envy affect
the body in such a way that it is deprived of the power of resistance.
Thoughts of anxiety and worry sap the energy and render the body weak.
Thoughts of fear are enough to shoot a man down. He does not require any bullet or sword to be
wounded or killed.
Negative thoughts, impure thoughts, and selfish thoughts create blood poisoning.
Thoughts of fear, of doubt, of diffidence, and indecision do not give anything except pessimism
and loss of hope.
Hence to be healthy and successful, it is necessary that we first conquer fear, doubt and
diffidence.
Guidelines
Positive thoughts give coherence and fundamental unity to life, with the result that an individual
entertaining positive thoughts leads a placid, calm and serene life. His life is not disturbed by
outer distractions. He enjoys peace and tranquillity of mind.
When the procession of life is orderly, marked by serenity and tranquillity, then the powers which
lie dormant and passive in an individual, become awakened and alive. He then receives intuition,
inspiration, and welcome [spiritual] manifestation. He begins to lead a creative life, living in such a
way that not only is he benefited, but others too derive benefit from his thoughts.
A person of positive thinking is like a bright lamp, shedding light all around.
If we have positive thoughts we may not stop the tempest or avert the storm, but we can at least
save the boat from being sunk.
Failure and success are the result of thought. Our thought pattern determines the pattern of our
life. In other words the pattern of our life is carved out for us by our thoughts.
Achievement is the reward of concentrated positive thought. A well directed thought, coupled with
resolution, determination, and perspiration can secure for us the object we want to achieve.
If we sincerely desire a thing we shall get it. If we aspire for a thing, we shall achieve it.
Happiness is an achievement. A good life is an achievement. But they cannot be achieved
without good and intense positive thoughts.
Our thoughts spin and weave the garment of our outer life. Outward life is a reflection of our
inward life, and inward life is what it has been made by our thought pattern.
A man's character is manifested in his thoughts. What his thoughts are, that is his character.
What his character is, that he is in fact.
Thus, thought is destiny.
The mystics had their thoughts and attention ever fixed upon higher aims and objects, and better
ideas and ideals.
It has been said, "Resist not evil". If we concentrate our thoughts on evil, then evil will be
actualised, and made real. So, as Tennyson says:-
"Think well! Do well will follow thought,
And in the fatal sequence of this world,
An evil thought may soil thy children's blood;
But curb the beast would keep thee in the mire,
And leave the hot swamp of voluptuousness,
A cloud between the Nameless and thyself."
Our mind is a garden and we are the gardener. Our life is a little Joint-stock Company and we are
the Managing Director.
The thought forces mould and shape character.
Man is a creative force and a power. Out of our thoughts grow circumstances. Our thought forces
attract the things we most love and cherish.
With every good positive thought, there comes the seed of opportunity.
Opportunity changes circumstances.
The fact is that an individual attracts only that which he is. He does not attract that which he
wants.
You may have read Macbeth written by Shakespeare. It is a famous tragedy.
Macbeth asks the question:-
"Canst thou not minister to a mind diseas'd,
Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,
Raze out the written troubles of the brain,
And with some sweet oblivious antidote
Cleanse the stuff'd bosom of that perilous stuff
Which weighs upon the heart?"
And do you know what the reply is? It is:-
. .........."Therein the patient
Must administer to himself."
People in modern times are asking the same question:-
"Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased?"
The answer is the same. It is obvious and simple. You must look to yourself. You, yourself, are
your physician. You, yourself, are the architect of the edifice of your life. Do not look to external
help. Help yourself. You alone can reform yourself. You alone can shake off your negative
thoughts and replace them by positive thoughts.
Thereby you can have calm thoughts. Your positive thoughts will give you faith and a radiant
personality.
They will stimulate your will, kindle your imagination, and inspire you with new ideas. They will
give you a new hope and a reborn assurance. They will kindle new aspirations.
Intelligence should be rightly used. That intelligence is best which teaches us to avoid failures.
Once we have learnt to rise above failures, we have unfolded a great mystery. Let us learn to
avoid the things that lead to the narrow and deep pit of failure. You must not allow, then, the loss
of hope.
Feelings of loneliness, uncertainty, insecurity, anger, resentment, inferiority, and indecision,
should be resisted and overcome.
"Let each man learn to know himself,
To gain that knowledge let him labour.
Correct those failings in himself
Which he condemns so in his neighbour."
It has been said that a man is known by the company he keeps. If a person keeps company with
feelings which do more harm than good, he will be known as an embodiment and an emblem of
those feelings. Thus he will be known by his enemies, more than by his friends who are the
feelings of love, tolerance, disinterested service, and optimism.
The eminent French philosopher Montaigne has very aptly said that:-
"A man is not hurt so much by what happens as by his opinions of what happens."
We may form any opinion that we like, but before we do so we should realise our responsibility
and the consequences.
Pure thoughts are necessary for self-awareness. Self-awareness is the hallmark of a trained
mind and a cultured man.
Confrontation, in whatever shape, form, or guise it may appear, is sure to deprive an individual of
the sense of proportion and perspective. But self-confrontation will be a dismal failure, if it is not
factual and not backed by sincerity.
Help comes from various sources, and it comes in different guises. It may assume the form of
advice or sympathy, guidance and encouragement. Advice and guidance date from time
immemorial. The doctor and the lawyer gives professional advice to their patient and their client
respectively. The spiritual guide extends specific advice to his disciples. The priest gives advice
from the pulpit, and the politician exhorts the people from the platform. The expert in any field is
also liberal in his advice.
But the fact is that no amount of exhortation and advice, counselling and guidance, and
encouragement and sympathy, will do you any good permanently, unless you yourself are willing
and prepared to change your thought pattern and your feelings.
The mystics have controlled their thoughts. They do not allow their mind to wander. They do not
allow the thoughts that they do not like, to enter their mind. You can do the same.
Suggestions
Perhaps you want to know how you can change your thoughts. How you can have vibrating,
illuminating, and inspiring positive thoughts, which will serve as a soothing balm, protecting you
from confrontation and shielding you from tension, and the thoughts which will give you the wings
to fly.
The first and foremost thing is that you must know the method that I prefer to call the Law of
Substitution. Substitution is as important as discretion. Discretion means that out of two things
one must choose one and leave the other. It also means that out of two situations in which a
person finds himself, he may prefer one to the other. Substitution means that, out of two things,
one thing should be taken and be replaced by the other.
Acting on the Law of Substitution, we should transmute any negative thought into its opposite,
positive, thought. Thus thoughts of hate and dislike should be transmuted into the thoughts of
love and good-will. Thoughts of fear should be replaced by the thoughts of confident trust, and
that of poverty [changed] to abundance, and that of evil into good.
Thoughts of egoism should be transmuted into thoughts of altruism. Thoughts of selfishness
should be replaced by the thought of kindness, and thought of revenge should be transmuted
into thoughts of forgiveness.
Thoughts of indecision and infatuation can be overcome by the exercise of discretion. Thought of
vanity should be replaced by the thought of simplicity.
Once you have learnt to change the thought pattern, you have, indeed, discovered the fountain
of happiness, bliss, and peace, flowing within you. It requires an effort. Thus you should try to
transmute the thought of gloom into cheerfulness. Thoughts of anxiety and worry should be
replaced by the inspiring thoughts of inner satisfaction and inner certainty.
The thought of anger should be replaced by the thought of self-control. The thought of cruelty
should give place to the thought of mercy.
In short, negative thoughts and negative feelings should be replaced, dislocated, or displaced, by
substituting their opposite.
The Law of Substitution helps us to entertain counter thoughts. When you are seized, or
besieged by tormenting thoughts, negative thoughts, negative feelings, and by the thoughts you
do not want to entertain, then leave your bed, or your table, or your room and go out to some
garden, or to some park or fountain, or to some place offering natural beauty. Enjoy the fresh air
and see the flowers smiling, and hear the birds singing in the trees. Walk or sit on the carpet of
green grass.
You may also, on such occasions, engage yourself in some hobby in which you feel deeply
interested. You may play games or you may go out boating. You may start reading a book of
poetry, or some other book, or you may read some religious book. You may also begin to pray.
You may sing some beautiful song or you may hear music.
Meditation is another way of driving out bad thoughts.
Do one thing at a time and have one thought at a time.
Relax your body and mind.
Have a compartmentalised mind - open the cupboard of the mind that contains good thoughts,
and close the cupboard of the mind giving you bad thoughts, at your own sweet will.
Take the Universe as your own, and love it, and also love the animals and the birds, and love
also the plants and the shrubs.
Do not be over ambitious. Curtail your desires. Try to have good company, good friends, and
good associates. Ignore the trifles of life. Do not be over sensitive. Do not feel too much. If you
do not feel you will feel that nothing has happened.
Avoid arguments and discussions. Concentrate your thoughts on lofty aims and ideals and higher
pursuits. Be by yourself everyday for some time. Be interested in people and in the environment
in which you live and work.
Let thoughts of happiness, prosperity and progress, Divine Grace, thankfulness and gratitude,
be your constant companions.
Do not concentrate on an undesirable thought too long, and the thought will die out of itself. Do
not allow wandering thoughts to enter your mind, and if they have entered, do not allow them to
stay in your mind. For this it is necessary that you should practice concentration. You may also
have recourse to meditation.
Signposts
Latent power lies hidden within us. Let us find it and seize it. We are capable of making our life
interesting, successful, happy and useful. The saints and the mystics, by their precept and
practice, have shown that lofty, noble, illuminating and inspiring thoughts can give peace of mind
- so very necessary for a good life.
There flowed powerful waves of positive thoughts from the convent, monastery, and retreat of the
saints and the mystics, giving to, and conferring on, the people a positive approach to life, and
inner peace. Let the same flow from you, from your bedchamber, ante-chamber, and from your
drawing room and dining room - rendering people better and richer, and making the world a
happy haven of repose.
Do not carry a heavy burden upon your shoulders. It will do you no good. Forget the burden of
the worries of Yesterday. Ignore the cares of Tomorrow. Just learn to live in the Present.
In the interest of better living, in the interest of world peace, in the interest of social harmony, in
the interest of universal brotherhood and fellow feeling, in the interest of world solidarity, and in
the interest of national integration and friendly international relations, we should try to mould and
shape our life in accordance with the pattern of life and thought of the saints and mystics.
Of course we can. And we must.
Zahurul Hassan Sharib
Ajmer, India.
August 1981
first published on the world wide web 31.7.00
Peace
Italian
Italian
Thought
Notes
Patience
Stop
hating
hating
Peace
English
English
index