Seed thoughts?

Question

Initial reactions aside, in any situation, if we make the effort, we can decide what kind of thoughts we will think.
Do you choose happy thoughts?
Or do you choose sad and angry thoughts?

Chalmond - Talking about seed thoughts.

CD. Even though we are all Buddhas, there are sooooo few Buddhas.
The rest of us have to do the best we can.
Otherwise, the game's over.

Crapsake. I have found it helpful to have a list of happy thoughts to use as seed thoughts and thus shift my response.

CD.
Sorry, no criticism intended.

Aum. To quote Mister Punch. 'That's the way to do it!'

Answer 1

I chose to witness both good and bad thoughts... and enjoy them equally

Answer 2

I, like many people have been through many up's and down's in my life. I really try hard to see every situation as a useful lesson. Not always successfully I admit! However, I find being more philosophical about problems helps me to remain calm and laid back, which in turn often allows me to find a solution or way of accepting something I don't particularly like.
I do agree though that it is a conscious decision that I made when I had a light bulb moment a few years back.
It is initially easier to go down the sad and angry path, (which I used to get caught up in all the time) but in the long term acceptance and learning from the situation seems to work for me. If I've learnt something useful, no matter how small, then the unpleasantness I'm facing seems more bearable.
My other way of dealing with horrible experiences is remembering that most things are only temporary!

Answer 3

I think the seed thoughts must occur long before we find ourselves in the "situation". You know, we take time out to ponder or meditate, we choose our thoughts at that time. By the time a situation arises, we will only have a choice to choose good thoughts if we have pre-programmed ourselves with happy thoughts. Otherwise, the reaction is purely instinctual - as we wouldn't have anything good to draw upon.

Mind you, even after having planted "happy seeds", we could still choose to take the sad and angry path when a situation arose. This leads to the idea that only one does not have free choice in how they will act if they have not thought about the positive side. Hence, "the truth will set you free".

Answer 4

Hi there Jon C, The key to 'seed thoughts' is psychology. Our cognitive behaviour is decided by the way in which we think, which, in turn, has a definitive affect in the way in which we deal with our problems and the way in which we live our lives. Sometimes is can be difficult to be positive, but in the long run, it is benefitial to us. For instance, we can say that our glass is half full instead of being half empty. 'The people that matter don't mind, and the people that mind don't matter.' And a favourite of mine: 'The sun has got to shine on a dog's as* sometime. It realy doesn't pay to be angry and sad. It takes more muscles to frown, so why waste energy? :o) Feel the fear and do it anyway. Get out there and enjoy life!!!

Answer 5

It seems all my thinking has been conditioned by society and culture.~ : ) Where are we? Ha, ha. I can't make myself happy. My happiness seems to have been covered. To rest tranquil in what is, to let mind and body drop, and then to drop dropped, isn't this the Buddha entering the hall. Putting a new program over an old one, is it worth the effort involved? Hi Jon, sorry I missed you question on Dogen. ~ : ) EDIT: Sorry I didnt mean to sound so noble. Buddhas love games, I love to play. We all love to play! ~ : )

Answer 6

U r sooooo right !!!!
We have the freedom or free will to choose our thoughts ...... but we dont really have the time to ''decide'' what kind of thoughts we will think. cause thoughts just ''occur'' in our minds. & its not possible to keep monitoring our thoughts all the while.
Also its not good to supress the ''bad'' thoughts ; we shd just let them come and go away ......that way we can get ''rid'' of them and only the good and happy thoughts remain ---- in which u can immerse yrself !!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

My thoughts dont determine my mood my mood determines my thougths, if Im not in a good mood I try to think good thoughts, I try to remain blank so Im not so readable if you focus your thoughts on the way you think then you become a prisoner of your mind...Set yourself free and become your thoughts dont think them.

Answer 8

I try to choose happy.... but sometimes the devil gets on my back and I'm all consumed with shitty thoughts and feelings. That's when I pray!!!!!!

Answer 9

i don't think you are right. we can make opinions about things, but surely we think as broadly as possible on everthing and anything? otherwise you would be a bit unbalanced, no?

Answer 10

Happy and random and unneccesary