The document discusses thought management and provides techniques for managing thoughts. It introduces thought management as both a science and an art that allows one to gain control over their thoughts through practice of various techniques. Six techniques are described in detail: anchoring thoughts on a mantra or phrase, withdrawing thoughts to the third eye like a tortoise in its shell, counting beads to focus thoughts, chanting prayers in groups or individually, reading scriptures to direct thoughts positively, and observing thoughts without judgment to gain awareness and calm the mind. The goal of thought management is presented as gaining mastery over one's mind and emotions to avoid being controlled by others or circumstances.

1. THOUGHT ManAgeMenT
D. V. Madhusudan Rao
Dept. MBA,
School of Graduate Studies,
Jigjiga University, ETHIOPIA
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2. Thought Management - Introduction
Thought management is the greatest challenge that
faces humanity today. It is a science as well as an
art. Mental science offers a scientific basis for
thought management. Yet, only by constant
practice and application of various techniques one
can become proficient in thought management.
There has not been any comprehensive study on
the subject of thought management. An attempt is
made here to develop thought management as a
valuable tool to guide our daily lives to improve the
quality of our being.
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3. WATCH YOUR WORDS
• The first step towards thought management is checking our
spoken words. Thoughts travel fast, and we may not be able to
control them initially. But we all can control our words, and
that which is negative should be uttered. We slowly get
control over our thoughts once we start having control over
the spoken word.
• The words we speak represent our innermost thoughts lurking
in the secret chambers of our mysterious mind. Therefore it is
imperative for us to check the words that come out of our lips.
When you speak negatively you create a negative world, and
when you speak positively you create a positive world. The
choice of words we use in our everyday life determined the
quality of our life. We must consciously watch the words we
speak under all circumstances.
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4. TECHNIQUES OF THOUGHT MANAGEMENT
1. Anchor thought
2. Tortoise technique
3. Bead Technique
4. Chanting
5. Reading scriptures
6. Thought observation technique
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5. 1. Anchor thought
• Anchor thought: The first and foremost technique of Thought Management is
“Anchor Thought Technique”. Under this technique, there is a predominant
thought to anchor the mind at all times. Ancient Hindu Sages and their
followers give to their disciples a ‘mantra’, or a holy word, to recite all the time
when the mind is not preoccupied.
• The old saying that “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop” is a true statement.
Whenever the mind is not occupied, it will entertain random undivine
thoughts, which would lead the thinker to his or her peril. But if the mind is
anchored on a mantra, it will not stray. The vibrations of the holy word will
have a refreshing effect on the mind that it will remain calm and serene all the
time.
• According to one’s mental make-up and religious beliefs, one can choose
Anchor Thought. It could be the name of the Lord or a short hymn to Him,
who pervades everything in the universe.
• In the beginning, this technique may seem peculiar, as you are not
accustomed to anything like it. But after a couple of weeks, you will get used
to it and the mind will enjoy it. It will keep the mind focused and refreshed.
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6. 2. Tortoise technique
• Tortoise technique: Just like a tortoise withdraws
all its limbs to its shell, a man of perfection
withdraws all his senses and the mind to himself.
Here, the mind represents thoughts and we can
draw our thoughts to focus on the third eye or
the center spot between the eyebrows. The
thought energy is no longer dissipated as it is
focused on a focal spot and it will refresh the
mind to focus on the third eye to get maximum
relaxation. When thus relaxed respiration slows
down, enabling all the cells to attain maximum
rest.
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7. 3. Bead technique
• Bead technique: In many religions, spiritual
aspirants count the beads in a rosary or
“japamala”. Every time you utter a holy word or
mantra one time, you count one bead. The bead
technique is also a method of settling the mind.
Monotony is a stage in which the human mind is
at rest. In the beginning, it is tough task to
concentrate and coordinate the recitation and
counting of the beads. As time goes on, one will
get used to it and bead counting will become
easy.
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8. 4. Chanting
• Chanting: Group chanting or individual chanting of the
thousand names of the Lord, or Lord’s prayer, can help
us manage our thoughts. The lead singer is followed
by a number of people in the prayer group. The air in
such circumstances is filled with a lot of emotion, and
the singers all feel an uplifting spirit unleashed by the
vibration. It is a good idea to participate in such
chanting to manage one’s thoughts. Any person
coming out of such a chanting prayer group has better
control over his thoughts. The emotions coupled with
the soothing music will lull the mind and, just like an
infant after an active day sleeps to mom’s lullaby, our
mind will enter a dormant state of inactivity conducive
to creating a freshness of untold proportions.
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9. 5. Reading scriptures
• Reading scriptures: Anyone who reads scriptures such as
the Bible, Koran, Geetha or Ramayana will not only learn to
manage thoughts, but will also be directing his thoughts
toward his spiritual achievement. Everyone becomes the
object of his or her thoughts. Reading scriptural truths will
saturate the mind with divine feelings which bring a
celestial harmony to the person doing it.
• Rather than starting the day with reading newspapers, which
contain mostly disturbing news, always keep holy books
with you and read them regularly in the morning. The semi-
waking hours are particularly auspicious for reading
because the passive mind during those hours tends to be in a
state of peak reception. That is the best time to impress on it
holy thoughts or positive loving thoughts.
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10. 6. Thought observation technique
• Thought observation technique: Thought Observation is probably the best
technique of thought management. The process involves simply observing one’s
thoughts. We must let the mind wander wherever it wants to go but keep
following it with keep observation. The mind is like a monkey. It jumps from
one object to another with sporadic speed and this technique enables us to follow
it in its tracks. The key is that you are aware of the thoughts and, by practice; this
awareness becomes sharper and sharper. In thought observation, it is imperative
that you don’t criticize thoughts. They may be noble thoughts or very crooked or
lustful thoughts depending upon the character of the individual. You observe you
own thoughts as a witness as though you are not involved in the whole process of
thinking. Taming the mind becomes very easy then, as it sharpens the perceptive
process resulting form concentration only on thoughts. However untruly the
mind appears to be, as it runs restlessly after objects of thought, it becomes tamed
with this technique of thought observation.
• With practice, there stressed mind becomes restful as it dwells on a few thoughts
and finally rests on one favourite dominant thought. When the mind slows down,
you can anchor it with the “mantra” or a holy word.
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11. MEDITATION
• MEDITATION: Thought Observations a prelude to meditation.
When you observe your own thoughts, the mind is looking at
itself, it is reflecting on itself, and hence the meditative process
is also called a reflective process. Our minds are by nature
restless until they are tamed to calm down, stilling all those
disturbing thoughts. When emotions run high, and thoughts
run amuck, even a calm person becomes a victim of anger or
rage. But with constant and faithful practice of meditation,
observing one’s own thoughts, the habit of calmness is
cultivated and such persons become habitually in control of
their emotions. The greatest human challenge is managing
one’s emotions, which cannot be achieved without managing
our thoughts.
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12. MASTER or SLAVE?
• You can be either a master or a slave depending upon who controls your thoughts.
As a master, you have absolute control over your thoughts, and you need not worry
about uncontrollable thoughts. As a slave, anybody can control your state of mind,
as you are easily influenced. A person who acts upon his own volition is a master
of his own destiny, and has the willpower developed enough to act even under
trying circumstances. A slave is one who always reacts to the actions of others and
thereby becomes a floor mat for anybody to step over all the time. When you learn
to manage your very thoughts, you learn to manage your very emotions and retain
control of your mind.
• Take the approach that “nobody can insult me without my permission”. For
example, if somebody addresses you as idiot or a fool, say “thank you very much”.
The person who insulted you expected you to react but instead you acted. You did
not fall for his comment. You know who you are, and you have learned to control
your emotions and are therefore ready to act without becoming a victim of
somebody else’s comments. When you train your thoughts, you also learn to act
rather than react. You and you alone must have full dominion over the state of your
mind. Thus intruding thoughts, or works or deeds of others, will have absolutely no
influence on you.
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13. © ® ™ SM
Knowledge is POWER
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