Why Focus on the Negative?

We already tend to allow our awareness to drift away from this moment and into our thinking mind's which are often preoccupied by anxieties and worries - usually about something to do with the future. Simultaneously, we tend to not perceive the unlimited vastness of all that is, missing the beauty of everything around us.

I caught myself recently spending much time thinking about something that was bothering me: perseverating on something annoying, something I was angry about. And then I realized, of all there is to pay attention to, why focus on the negative?

Yes, if our mind doesn't have a problem to play with, it may very well create one just to verify its existence. When you notice this emotional distraction identity it for what it is, smile, and try to come back to this moment and what is real, fascinating, and beautiful. 

The Ego and Sensory Deprivation

I noticed while Geocaching in the woods, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, that my mind is often distracted by natural shapes that resemble man-made objects. So, for example, I quickly misperceive inter-twined trees in the distance as part of a foundation of a building from long ago. Or rocks in the distance at first glance appear to be another individual trekking in the woods. This reminds me of the mind’s desire to find and grip upon structure when none exists. The ego wants to move away from natural spaciousness towards defined constructs. This is similar to the meditation process in which while we are trying to pay attention to our breath, we are distracted by and cling to our thoughts. This lesson can teach us to allow the mind to accept more freely undefined openness, without anxiety, and to become aware of and experience so much beyond our preconceived notions.