The current atmosphere seems charged with more negativity than positivity. The airwaves, newspapers and online channels are rife with news of the coronavirus pandemic, violence, corruption, discrimination, a widening wealth gap and an alarming rise in homelessness. And the invective spewed on social media is just one reflection of the troubling and destructive effect that we have collectively, albeit unconsciously, created by allowing this negativity to influence us — the emergence of an increasingly angry, fearful, disillusioned, and divided society.
Yet, it is our individual choices in thought and deed that have created the negative state we are in today. Likewise, it is our individual efforts that can reverse that trend to create happier lives for ourselves and the collective whole.
With so many negative energies barraging us, the first step in repelling them and attracting positive energies instead is to understand their existence. The world is filled with countless subtle energies that are created by our thoughts. Every individual on Earth has thousands of thoughts every day, and those thoughts trigger energetically charged emotions that transmit to our subtle energy fields.
According to psychologist Robert Plutchik, there are eight basic emotions: joy, sadness, fear, disgust, surprise, anticipation, anger and trust. Although we cannot see the energetic patterns of these emotions, which are both positive and negative, we should be aware that they are eddying in the subtle energy fields that surround everyone and conduct ourselves accordingly.
The universal Law of Attraction states that like attracts like. If we think destructive thoughts and act unkindly, similar energies will be drawn to us and we will experience more destruction and hatefulness. If we think constructive, benevolent thoughts and act with love and kindness, positive energies will be drawn to us and we will be happier. But, as is often the case, it is easier said than done and requires a conscious, mindful effort.
The new movie, The Real Exorcist, a supernatural drama based on the book by Ryuho Okawa, the founder of the global spiritual movement, Happy Science, explores the concrete, realistic steps we can take to attract positive energies. In the film, a curious young man by the name of Isamu apprentices with Sayuri, a coffeeshop waitress who uses her spiritual powers to help customers troubled by supernatural phenomena.
In their encounters with lost souls and vengeful spirits, Sayuri demonstrates two basic methods for attracting positive energies that we can all employ:
• Correct Your Mind and Your Lifestyle — The simplest way to start practicing this is to do one good deed a day and to think and speak rightful words. This may sound easy, but even if you think you always do good for others, when you really think about it, you may realize you don’t do it every single day.
Constantly thinking and speaking rightful words is difficult. Every day, we speak or think negative things without realizing it. What kind of thought came to your mind when you first woke up this morning? What did you say or think when your partner or child was grumpy at breakfast? Most of us have some kind of negative thoughts throughout the day, so becoming aware of those thoughts and trying to use rightful words instead is a good place to start. If you have said something hurtful, admit your mistake and apologize for it.
In Japan, there is a saying called “Ichinichi Isshou,” which means, “Live as if it’s your last day.” Reflect on your thoughts and deeds at the end of each day and forgive yourself and others for any misdeeds, for it is very important not to carry your regret or any hatred over to the next day.
• Don’t Blame Others or Your Conditions — When we are denied by someone or when we fail at something, we tend to blame others for our failure — our parents, co-workers, school, company, etc. However, it is best to take responsibility for everything that happens in our lives, the good and the bad, because that attitude will draw more positive energies to us.
When we acquire a state of mind that assumes responsibility for everything we experience (“The sky is blue is because of me”), our mind expands its capacity and we gain the confidence to know the right path and not be swayed by others’ opinions and actions. Once again, the universal Law of Attraction comes into play, bringing responsible people to a responsible mind, wise people to a calm mind, and positive outcomes to a positive mind.
Our mind works like a magnet and attracts that which it imagines. When we refine our mind, correct our words and actions, and take responsibility for our experiences, we attract positive outcomes. Try these two methods every day for a month and you will begin to realize more positive occurrences and happier days for you and the world around you.
