On Negative Emotions

Why does one get attracted to negativity?

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Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If something gives you pleasure, you don’t call it negativity. When something gives you pain, you call it negativity. When something appears to give you pleasure - in reality, it gives you pain, then something is negative! For example, smoking – it appears to give you pleasure. In fact, it does not!

How can one overcome negative thoughts?

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: People with negative thoughts always have questions on their mind and are unwilling to find answers to those questions. They are stuck deep in their questions and all they need is, someone to listen to, someone to acknowledge their questions. It is very easy to condemn people as extremists, but it requires wisdom, strength and intelligence to be able to reach out to them and be inclusive of them.

What should you do if people around you keep reminding you of your past mistakes?

Gurudev  Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Smile and move forward. If they are not able to forget the mistakes of the past, then that is their problem. You should forget the mistakes of the past, just drop them and move ahead. You are not the same person that you were when you committed those mistakes, you have changed. When you came to the spiritual path, when you gained this wonderful knowledge, then your entire life has changed. So, have complete and unshakeable faith in this fact.