" Nothing can give you more support than a trained mind. Nothing can do you more harm than an untrained mind. " This is a paraphrase of Buddha's words: "I know of no other single thing, which brings so much pain as the untaught and untrained mind. Such incompetent mind carry much suffering."
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is one amongst many psychological interventions that align with the above theory. CBT tries to help patients identify unhelpful ways of thinking and aim to change their thinking pattern.
Letting our mind consistently roam and ruminate over some dissatisfaction or imperfections in life causes unnecessary unhappiness. Many untrained minds will allow this thinking pattern to persist. When told to think more positively many of us will blame it on an inherent constitution which inhibit any attempt to cease ruminations.
It is enlightening to know that we can train our mind. "Neurons that fire together wire together"- neuropsychologist Donald Hebb expounded that pathways in the brain are formed and reinforced through repetition. Buddha teaches that our minds incline to what we habitually think and feel.
Hence we have to make an effort to break bad thinking habits and discipline our mind. Well this is certainly good advice for people like the character Antonio in Shakespear's Merchant of Venice whose famous lines are " I hold the world but as the world, a stage where every man must play a part, and mine a sad one....In sooth, I know not why I am so sad...".
It's a bad habit Antonio, that's why. The good news is you can start firing new neurons!
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