You can stop negative thoughts while meditating by letting them drift away like clouds in the sky. Close your eyes, sit quietly, and don’t resist any thoughts. Let them come and go, do whatever they want. If you don’t fight them, they’ll naturally slow down and settle.
Imagine negative thoughts like ripples on a lake. If you throw a rock into the water, what happens? Waves, right? But if you simply sit by the lake and watch, those ripples will gradually fade away.
The same applies to your mind. Meditate without expectations, and soon, your negative thoughts will lose their grip. They won’t bother you anymore.
Now, how long will it take? There’s no set time. If you try to control it—if you keep checking the clock—it’s like throwing more rocks into the lake. More rocks, more ripples.
See what I mean?
So, here’s my advice: welcome every thought that comes to your mind. Don’t resist. Just like ripples in water, they’ll settle on their own.
Two Monks and a Woman: The Zen Story
A Zen master and his student were walking through a forest when they came across a stream. A young woman stood at the edge, hesitating to cross. Without a word, the master picked her up, carried her across, and gently set her down.
The student was shocked. Monks were supposed to avoid contact with women. They continued their journey, but the student couldn’t stop thinking about it. Hours passed, and finally, he blurted out:
“Master, why did you carry that woman?”
The Zen master smiled. “I set her down hours ago. Why are you still carrying her?”
The student fell silent.
Like the student, we hold onto thoughts far longer than necessary. But the mind, like a river, is meant to flow. Let thoughts pass without holding onto them, and you will find peace.