To be a master of your own thoughts, you first have to take control of your mind. And this is where meditation comes in. The age-old practice calms down the brain so that you can achieve a clarity of mind. A clear stress-free mind encourages positive thoughts and prevents unwanted and negative thinking. The mind has three basic functions: thinking, feeling, and wanting. The three functions of the mind — thoughts, feelings and desires — can be guided or directed either by one's native egocentrism or by one's potential rational capacities.