Are Your Bad Thoughts Causing Bad Karma?

While listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Jenna and Julien (Jenna Marbles and her boyfriend get together to talk about things they find interesting, highly recommend) something they discussed has not left my mind.

According to information found by Jenna, it turns out “bad” thoughts are considered bad karma. Because a higher power of some sort gave us consciousness, and a mind, using this gift on “bad” thoughts is considered wasteful.

I thought this was the coolest thing I’d heard in a long time, but my follow-up question was; what are considered “bad” thoughts?

Negativity is so easy to fall into, and while I don’t purposely try to use my depression as an excuse for negative thoughts or gluttonous behavior, it’s definitely easy to do so. It is also easy to see how people who have difficulty empathizing, can say those struggling with mental illness should just snap out of it. Especially if it means we have karma to worry about.

The idea that my consciousness is being wasted because of negative thoughts is compelling, though. And that thought in itself has caused me to have a change of heart, and a more productive and inspired spirit.

Many don’t believe in karma, but I do. I feel like we create our own karma. If you want a job interview to go well, you prepare for it the best you can, then choose for it to go well. The hard part is feeling confident enough in your capabilities. What I love about this perspective of spirituality is the mindfulness, and the emphasis in choosing to have a good day or not.

I have had many, many dark days, recently. Many days where I feel completely insignificant, and as if my last four years were a painful waste of my time. When these negative thoughts creep in, I question myself: Will this thought help, or hurt me? Will this thought encourage clarity, or chaos? Will abruptly halting this negative thought-train, prevent the path to a different, more positive thought-train?

My journal can sometimes read incredibly angry. The entries start angry, and as they continue, I find clarity and end on a happy note. It’s a reason why I encourage people to go ahead and vent. Venting, or talking your feelings out, can inspire clarity. It’s why I’d come to think venting about people is also okay, as long as you aren’t aiming to ruin their reputation or letting it taint the way you see them as a whole. However, tainting a reputation or a perspective of a person is inescapable when you choose to gossip about them.

I’m now reflecting on my current state after starting to think this way – that venting is pretty much always okay. I started thinking this way around two or three years ago. Before that, I was anti-gossip. I wanted to be known as the girl who only had kind things to say about others. Then, I got caught up in empathy, and wanted to offer understanding when people complained or gossiped to me. Then it became a “whatever, everyone gossips, get over it” sort of deal.

I have fallen victim to many rumors because of gossip. In high school, one girl in my ward chose to spread lies about me and the next thing I knew, girls from the whole stake seemed to identify the words “fake” and “snobby” with my name. It was so hurtful, especially because I really tried to be exceptionally nice to others. After my sexual assault in college, rumors were spread about me being a “slut” and sleeping with several members of the frat. All untrue, and all hurtful. Yet, I was still supportive of venting. Even if it was about people.

Do we attract good-hearted, good-intentioned, positive, intuitive people, when we invite negative thoughts about others into our minds and into our conversations? No. That just isn’t possible. I know I have stunted my personal growth in allowing this way of thinking into my life.

While the conclusion I came to about gossip, specifically, is that it is near never okay, I think that a thought with potential to lead to goodness is a good thought. For example; sad thoughts can help us understand how much we care, and angry thoughts can help us understand what we stand for.

I was recently tagged in a Facebook video concerning the topic of whether the character Joy was the actual villain in the movie Inside Out. I was immediately defensive upon seeing the video’s title, because I am proud to take the title of Joy, when people say I remind them of her. After watching the video, I appreciated the solid information, but I still don’t think Joy is the villain.

Joy represents society’s desire to constantly put on a fake smile, and in turn, our desire to put on a fake smile. However, she realizes the importance of the other feelings in her journey. In some ways, she was the villain. In others, she was also the hero.

The lesson of the movie is to realize that we are all Joy.

This means we are all the villains, heroes, and bystanders of our own lives. Inviting Sadness, Disgust, Anger and Fear into our lives is essential to personal growth and understanding. Are sad, disgusting, angry and fearful thoughts bad thoughts, though? Are they a waste of our brain function?

Disgust helps us live, because our brain protects us from things that can harm us.

Fear protects us from potentially dangerous situations.

Dwelling, and living in any one of these emotions is the waste. Does this include joy?

I think, yes. Living in constant joy does not encourage progression, in ourselves or in our society. Powering through hardship with the positive mindset that life can be fulfilling, is what I think the real goal is. Not just bein’ happy because we should ‘always be happy.’

Studies reveal that brilliance can accompany depression. Many of the world’s most inspirational minds have been impacted by depression; Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and even Buddha. These are examples of men who were able to fight their mental disorders and share their brilliance with the world. Through this "positive-only" culture, we are creating a multitude of problems. Depressive thoughts - while having the potential to lead to dangerous thoughts - don't start there.

Telling someone their mental illness is bad, can only lead to worse thoughts. Our culture needs to encourage everyone. Not just happy people. We don’t want to lose all of these brilliant mines to something we just may be able to help.

From my experience, depression has created the most wasteful of days. It’s easy to be lazy, when you are sad. I think most people who suffer from this illness find they aren’t meeting their potential.

How many times have you felt held back, and like a waste of space, because your mental illness prevents you from furthering your goals or moving forward? There is often an inescapable hopelessness accompanying depression. The thoughts “worthless,” “waste” and “insignificant” are not strangers to a depressed mind. I know the fight is still in you, though. It is why you are still breathing. It’s not fear holding you back from ending your life. It’s that spark of hope that you will get your life back.

Consciously remind yourself that your negative thoughts are the waste.

Not you.