During the moment of sudden difficulty, how can we think positively at that time?
Answer Podcast
During Sudden Difficulty, How Can We Think Positively at That Time?
That’s a good question. When we’re actually going through a tough moment, it can be very hard to think positively — and that’s perfectly natural. But there are three broad strategies that can help us during such times.
1. Counter Emotion with Emotion
Within us, there are two faculties — emotion and reason. When we face sudden challenges, we often get ambushed by emotions like fear, anger, or anxiety. At that point, positive thinking using logic may not be effective, because the emotional storm is too strong.
So instead of trying to fight emotion with reason, we can first try to counter negative emotion with positive emotion.
For example, if you find some spiritual music uplifting — maybe meditative chants or kirtans — listen to them, even for just a minute or two. Choose something that makes you feel good in a healthy, nourishing way. Avoid things that offer temporary relief but leave you feeling worse afterward.
You could also look at sacred or soothing images — anything that evokes a sense of peace or positivity within you.
The idea is: when we’re overwhelmed by negative emotions, let’s bring in a positive emotional input — not to argue with the mind, but to simply offer it a better feeling.
2. Prepare Resources for Reason and Reflection
Once we’re emotionally a little calm, we can bring in the voice of reason. But trying to generate wise thoughts in the heat of the moment is very difficult. That’s why it helps to keep some ready-made resources at hand — things we’ve already found helpful.
These could be:
- Quotes or verses from the Bhagavad-gita or other sacred texts
- Inspiring reflections you’ve noted down
- Wisdom-based content that you resonate with
For example, one Gita-based quote is:
“Life determines our problems, but we determine their size.”
This kind of insight activates our intelligence and gives us a more balanced view.
I also write daily reflections on the Gita at Gita Daily, which you might find helpful. Having access to these kinds of thoughts helps engage our reason gently, without pushing it.
3. Speak to a Trusted Friend or Guide
When the mind becomes too negative, it paints a distorted picture of reality. At that time, we need a different perspective — and for that, a trusted friend or mentor can be very helpful.
If you know that certain situations trigger you, try to identify someone in advance whom you can talk to. Let them know:
“When I feel overwhelmed, I may just need to talk to you for a few minutes.”
Often, just talking to someone helps us see that what feels like a disaster might not be so bad. For example, if someone said something harsh to us, we might think: “They hate me!” But a friend might gently say:
“Actually, they’re going through something themselves. It’s not about you.”
This kind of external input helps us break out of the mind’s negative spiral.
Summary
So in moments of sudden difficulty, these three resources can help:
- Positive Emotion – Music, images, mantras, or anything soothing
- Positive Reason – Wisdom quotes, reflections, or sacred texts
- Positive Connection – A trusted friend, mentor, or guide
We don’t need all three every time — sometimes even one is enough to shift our inner state.
The key is: have these ready beforehand, so you’re not scrambling to find help in the heat of the moment.