{"id":7987,"date":"2016-11-17T16:36:59","date_gmt":"2016-11-17T16:36:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/guruvani.us\/?p=7987"},"modified":"2016-11-17T16:41:31","modified_gmt":"2016-11-17T16:41:31","slug":"dont-become-a-prisoner-of-your-own-thoughts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/2016\/11\/17\/dont-become-a-prisoner-of-your-own-thoughts\/","title":{"rendered":"Don&#8217;t become a Prisoner of Your own Thoughts"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7990\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/2016\/11\/17\/dont-become-a-prisoner-of-your-own-thoughts\/guruji100-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/guruji100.jpg?fit=506%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"506,400\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"guruji100\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/guruji100.jpg?fit=300%2C237&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/guruji100.jpg?fit=506%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7990\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/guruji100.jpg?resize=600%2C474\" alt=\"guruji100\" width=\"600\" height=\"474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/guruji100.jpg?w=506&amp;ssl=1 506w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/guruji100.jpg?resize=300%2C237&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"fontplugin_fontid_9785_gothic\" style=\"font-size: 14px;\">There are two types of people. Some of them are capable of seeing the positive side (<em>Shubha<\/em>) of every thing and there are others who are capable of seeing the negative side (<em>Ashubha<\/em>) of every thing. A man with an impure mental sight causes much harm to himself as his mind gets contaminated with the negative traits of his own thoughts progressively. He ultimately becomes a prisoner of his own thoughts and sees the worst in everyone and everything around, even when in a temple or in association with the purer souls. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"fontplugin_fontid_9785_gothic\">The theories of different religions as also the different theories of <em>Psychology<\/em> agree on the point that <strong>ultimately a man\u2019s nature gets conditioned by what he thinks continuously.<\/strong> One who continuously thinks about the bad qualities of others ultimately develops those qualities in him. The same is true of continuous good thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"fontplugin_fontid_9785_gothic\">Thus in this world of material illusions even educated people, coming in contact with people harboring evil thoughts against others, get easily contaminated. Far to speak of spiritual evolution, such an approach towards others ultimate leads them morally downwards. <\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><strong><span class=\"fontplugin_fontid_9785_gothic\">[icon name=&#8221;quote-left&#8221; class=&#8221;&#8221; unprefixed_class=&#8221;&#8221;] The best way to save one from such a situation is to pray Baba when a negative thought comes to mind or to recite his name silently or read Shri Sai Satcharitra. [icon name=&#8221;quote-right&#8221; class=&#8221;&#8221; unprefixed_class=&#8221;&#8221;]<br \/>\n<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"fasc-button fasc-size-large fasc-type-popout fasc-rounded-medium\" style=\"background-color: #0b9616; color: #ffffff;\" data-fasc-style=\"background-color:#0b9616;color:#ffffff;\">Jai Shri Sai !<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>Source: Excerpts from GURU PURNIMA MESSAGE (2005) by Dr. C B Satpathy<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 11px; left: 12px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 11px; left: 12px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c  no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"text-justify\">There are two types of people. Some of them are capable of seeing the positive side (Shubha) of every thing and there are others who are capable of seeing the negative side (Ashubha) of every thing. A man with an impure mental [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7987","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gurujis-teachings"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7wChg-24P","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9903,"url":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/2025\/12\/22\/a-gentle-reminder-for-daily-life\/","url_meta":{"origin":7987,"position":0},"title":"A Gentle Reminder for Daily Life","author":"GVADMIN3","date":"December 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In the midst of daily worries and responsibilities, inner peace often feels difficult to hold on to. Shirdi Sai Baba taught that peace begins within\u2014through prayer, surrender, remembrance, and selfless service. This simple visual guide shares gentle practices inspired by Baba\u2019s teachings, helping us return to calm, trust, and gratitude\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Inner Peace&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Inner Peace","link":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/category\/inner-peace\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-Dec-21-2025-09_26_57-PM.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-Dec-21-2025-09_26_57-PM.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-Dec-21-2025-09_26_57-PM.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-Dec-21-2025-09_26_57-PM.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9913,"url":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/2025\/12\/22\/why-life-is-the-way-it-is\/","url_meta":{"origin":7987,"position":1},"title":"Why Life Is the Way It Is","author":"GVADMIN3","date":"December 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Shirdi Sai Baba teaches that our present circumstances are not accidental or unjust but the natural outcome of actions performed in previous births. According to Baba, every joy and sorrow we experience today is shaped by karma accumulated over time. This understanding removes the sense of randomness from life and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Karma&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Karma","link":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/category\/karma\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-Dec-21-2025-10_56_06-PM.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-Dec-21-2025-10_56_06-PM.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-Dec-21-2025-10_56_06-PM.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-Dec-21-2025-10_56_06-PM.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9918,"url":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/2025\/12\/22\/why-baba-tests-his-devotees\/","url_meta":{"origin":7987,"position":2},"title":"Why Baba Tests His Devotees","author":"GVADMIN3","date":"December 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In Shri Sai Satcharita, Baba often appears to test His devotees through hardships, delays, misunderstandings, and emotional trials. To many, these tests may seem harsh or puzzling, but Baba repeatedly assures that they are never acts of cruelty. Instead, they are expressions of deep compassion and divine wisdom, meant to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Faith and Patience&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Faith and Patience","link":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/category\/faith-and-patience\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/baba-101.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/baba-101.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/baba-101.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/baba-101.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9943,"url":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/2026\/01\/25\/guru-bhakti-beyond-ritual-fear-and-logic\/","url_meta":{"origin":7987,"position":3},"title":"Guru-Bhakti Beyond Ritual, Fear, and Logic","author":"GVADMIN3","date":"January 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Chapter 23 of Sri Sai Satcharitra is not a chapter of abstract philosophy\u2014it is a living demonstration of Guru-bhakti in action. Through seemingly ordinary incidents involving food, disease, danger, and moral conflict, Shirdi Sai Baba reveals a deep spiritual truth: liberation does not come through techniques, logic, or outward purity,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Teachings of Dr. Satpathy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Teachings of Dr. Satpathy","link":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/category\/gurujis-teachings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/guruvani.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ChatGPT-Image-Jan-25-2026-01_14_44-PM-683x1024.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7987","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7987"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7987\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7996,"href":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7987\/revisions\/7996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7987"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7987"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guruvani.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7987"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}