Never Say or Think: “I Will Not…”
Friends, you may have often found yourself thinking or saying things like:
- “I will not think bad thoughts.”
- “I will not do bad things.”
- “I will not speak ill.”
- “I will not see anything negative.”
- “I will never eat this again.”
- “I will never go there again.”
Yet, paradoxically, the more one resolves not to do these things, the more they seem drawn toward them.
Have you ever wondered why we unknowingly gravitate toward the very actions we resolve not to do?
The Law of Attraction and the Power of Thought
The Law of Attraction states that you attract what you think. So, by this logic, resolving “not to do bad” should steer us away from negativity, yet we find ourselves compelled toward it.
Similarly, Karma Yoga teaches that the results of your actions reflect the nature of those actions: “As you act, so shall you reap.” It emphasizes that even thoughts are forms of action (karma).
This raises the question: If thinking “I will not do bad” is also karma, why does it lead us toward bad actions instead of away from them?
Understanding the Psychology of Thought Patterns
Modern psychology agrees that every thought creates a neural pattern in the brain. When we repeatedly think about something, it forms a strong connection in our memory, influencing our future behavior.
The problem lies in the way we phrase our thoughts. Statements like “I will not smoke” or “I will not speak ill” are framed negatively. The brain, however, focuses on the core action—smoking or speaking ill—and ignores the “not.” As a result, the undesirable action becomes stored in the subconscious.
For example, when you think, “I will not smoke,” your brain registers “I will smoke.” The word “not” is bypassed because the mind focuses on the act itself.
The Root Cause: Why Negative Resolutions Fail
When we focus on what we don’t want to do, we unintentionally draw our attention to the very action we seek to avoid. This happens because:
- The brain doesn’t register the absence of an action: It cannot store “not doing” something as a memory or pattern.
- Only positive actions form neural patterns: Memories and habits are created through repetition of affirmative actions, not the avoidance of actions.
Thus, saying, “I will not smoke” inadvertently reinforces smoking in your mind.
The Solution: Think and Act Affirmatively
Instead of focusing on what you don’t want to do, focus on what you do want to do. Replace negative resolutions with positive affirmations:
- Instead of “I will not think bad thoughts,” say: “I will think positive thoughts.”
- Instead of “I will not do bad things,” say: “I will do good deeds.”
- Instead of “I will not speak ill,” say: “I will speak kindly.”
- Instead of “I will never eat this,” say: “I will choose healthier options.”
- Instead of “I will never go there,” say: “I will explore better places.”
By doing this, you create positive neural patterns that reinforce the desired behavior while gradually erasing the negative patterns.
Forgetting Bad Habits: The Power of Substitution
Psychology teaches that habits or thoughts fade from memory if not revisited for a long time. To let go of negative habits or thoughts, replace them with positive alternatives:
- If you wish to stop overthinking, start practicing mindfulness or meditation.
- If you want to quit unhealthy eating, consciously introduce healthy options into your routine.
Over time, the positive patterns will overwrite the negative ones, and the undesired behavior will fade away.
A Practical Example
Think back to your childhood habits or preferences. Many of them no longer exist because you stopped engaging in or thinking about them. Similarly, to rid yourself of undesirable habits or thoughts, focus on creating new ones and repeat them consistently.
In conclusion, do not dwell on what you don’t want to do. Instead, consciously direct your energy toward positive actions and thoughts. By doing so, you’ll naturally align yourself with positivity and free yourself from the pull of negativity. As you focus on light, darkness fades on its own.
