Comments on: The Error of Positive Thinking

By: Randolph Russman

Randolph Russman — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:40:27 +0000

As always ur posts are very helpful.

By: Jarrod

Jarrod — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:01:18 +0000

@Jonathan: Hello again

Sometimes I wonder if in my detached manner I am somewhat positive. When ‘bad’ or ‘unfortunate’ things happen to me and it doesn’t bother me and I’m still happy, by most peoples definitions that would be acting positive.

But to me I’m happy because I’m detached. Positive thinking to me is more about the mindset of thinking that your life has to be ‘good’ or ‘right’ and shifting your viewpoint on everything to match that.

I don’t think our viewpoints are all that different. I also believe that everything will work out fine in the end. Because anything is fine, life is what it is. Everything is a step in a direction, where it goes we will eventually know.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:53:42 +0000

I tend to be naturally positive about almost everything because I have this crazy assumption that things will work out fine for me. Even if I get hit by a bus and die, then I guess it was meant to be.

That’s just for me though. There is still a lot of suffering in the world and a lot to be done to solve it, so I’m sure different beliefs will work for different people. For some, positive thinking may be better. For others, detachment may be better.

By: Jarrod

Jarrod — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 06:00:31 +0000

@Calico: I think we will have to agree to disagree.

I choose not to interpret things as they happen and consequently I don’t put a positive or negative spin on anything (to me the angle/spin is where the delusion occurs).

In my experience when you keep out your own modifications then joy, love and all of those things spawn forth in a detached fashion which feels much freer to me than any viewpoint I can spin onto myself.

By: calico

calico — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:29:03 +0000

I’m not sure I agree. Positive thinking is not self delusion. It’s about interpreting things as they happen with a good spin. It’s being thankful for everything. It’s a whole optimistic outlook on the world.

Good thoughts aren’t a distraction. They’re energizing and affirming. They’re food for the spirit.

If you detach too far, you may protect yourself from distractions but you also lose some of the heights of joy, thankfulness, and love that make life worthwhile.

By: Jarrod

Jarrod — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:51:10 +0000

@Deacon: I felt something very similar when I first started getting beyond the good and bad of things. Now I really choose when to speak. So if it is necessary in a situation to make small talk and try to keep up with the news so I can do so and consequently build up social relationships.

But with such topics I usually spend more time listening to others and exploring their understanding then talking.

I would not recommend being anything other than yourself, that it one of the few things that matter.

You also shouldn’t need to feel sad and lonely, please feel free to ask more about this if you have questions.

By: Jonathan B.

Jonathan B. — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:28:30 +0000

That is my perspective too. I was just playing around.

By: The Deacon

The Deacon — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:24:10 +0000

It is very refreshing to hear somebody else communicating in the language that I think in. When you talk about having a perspective in order to communicate, I can really understand. I often feel it necessary to “construct” a persona for people to communicate with, otherwise I have so little to say that I just fade into the background. When this constructed persona proves narrow or contradictory, I am looked at as a liar or a fake when really I’m just trying to connect with the folks around me. I watch this happen and let the sadness and loneliness dissipate. Drawing helps.

By: Jarrod

Jarrod — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:20:10 +0000

@Jonathan: Yes that is pretty much my perspective when I need to have one (such as when communicating). I consider a perspective to be a grouping of thoughts and emotions that lead someone to have a particular opinion or perspective on something.

In order to communicate we have to use language and the mind which relies on labeling, opposites and perspectives. So as much as possible it is best to consciously form these (as opposed to unknowingly) from as much experience as we have. People extrapolate perspectives from their (hopefully correctly) interpreted experience.

I try to discard perspectives when I am not endeavoring to communicate in some form.

Thanks for the question

By: Jonathan B.

Jonathan B. — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:58:57 +0000

“What is a perspective? A bunch of thoughts?”

Perhaps. Is that what you think?