twisted thinking and mental suffering

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2

James Allen

James Allen

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# 1 Thinking, regretting or feeling guilty about the

past.

ReflectionTrain the mind to be more mindful of the

Present.

GUILT

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# 2 Speculating and worrying about

things in the Future.

ReflectionWatch the mind when it

runs into the Future. Bring it back.

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# 3 Thinking of and seeing only the ‘black spots

(faults ) of another and failing to see his ‘white

spots’ (good points)

ReflectionIn every ‘bad’ person there is

some good and in every ‘good’ person there is some bad.

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# 4 Reacting negatively to the criticisms or words

of others.

ReflectionWhy should one let

others control one’s inner mental

peace?

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# 5 Thinking of and dwelling upon one’s mistakes or points

of weakness.

ReflectionAcknowledge the

mistakes, learn from them and move on. Let

go of the negative thoughts.

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# 6 Expecting only positive things to

happen all the time.

ReflectionGain and loss, pleasure

and pain, praise and blame, fame and

dishonor are inevitable.

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# 7 Always thinking ‘Should be like this’, ‘shouldn’t be like that’,

‘I can’t accept this’.

ReflectionAcceptance of things positively reduces mental suffering. Learn

to forgive and let go.

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# 8 Labeling another as ‘bad’,

‘foolish’, ‘hateful’, ‘problematic’

Reflection It’s not the person

who is ‘bad’, ‘foolish’ or ‘proud’ but it is

his unskillful action.Cultivate

forgiveness.

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# 9 Thinking centered on Ego and Self-

interest

ReflectionLet us learn to think less of ‘I’, ‘My’ and ‘Mine’ but more of

‘We’, ‘Ours’, ‘Us’ and ‘Others’.

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# 10 Thinking jealous thoughts of others’ success and happiness.

ReflectionLet us practice

sympathetic or altruistic joy …rejoicing at the happiness of others.

JEA

LO

US

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# 11 Thoughts of unreasonably high

expectations of people or things

ReflectionThoughts of

Compassion and Contentment bring

peace and joy to the mind

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# 12 Always thinking and

desiring things and having little spirit of charity

ReflectionGiving and

Generosity will lead to spiritual joy and

peace.

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The End

Views, Thoughts and Aspirations of the Right Kind will lead

to Happiness and Peace of Mind

With Metta,Bro. Oh Teik Bin