Underground Knowledge — A discussion group discussion

Hi everyone,

Glad to be part of this group!
Mostly we are told to “think positive” as if that’s the only path to happiness. My experience is much better with thinking negative Rather than always be positive. The Power of Negative Thinking helps you avoid fear, doubt, failure and can actually guide us, ground us, and make us stronger. Most of the time prepare us for the cruel world we are about to face.

Here’s the fun twist: I’ve written **two versions of the same book**.
📖 One is a sincere, serious take on the subject.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

😂 The other is a lighter, humorous version (because sometimes we need to laugh at our own struggles!).
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

If you’re curious, I’ve drop links to both so you can explore whichever matches your mood.

I’d also love to hear your thoughts:
👉 Do you believe “negative thinking” can be useful, or is it always harmful?

Looking forward to the discussion!

-Dushyant Bansal

No clue how this was on my phone when I pulled it out of my pocket. I don’t know about positive thoughts but I know about negative ones. My story: Hopeless, atheist, suicidal, chronic relapsing alcoholic who said the “Jesus / God if you are real take this from me & I will give
My life to you” prayer at which point I was healed of several physical & spiritual maladies. He helps me every time I call upon Him too. It’s nuts. Just thought I’d share.

Sounds interesting.... i too used to have my own prayer to god which eventually i stopped reciting as i stopped going to temples... Maybe you had this book ok your phone because somewhere it oscillates in same frequency with you.... 😊😄

I would also add The Antidote by Oliver Burkeman. While not negative thinking per se, it’s still in the realm of “positive thinking can also get you in trouble,so think rationally instead.”

Dushyant wrote: "Hi everyone,

Glad to be part of this group!
Mostly we are told to “think positive” as if that’s the only path to happiness. My experience is much better with thinking negative Rather than always ..."

Dushyant, thank you for starting such a fascinating and important conversation.

The debate between the power of positive versus negative thinking is a profound one. It makes me wonder if both are two sides of the same ego-driven coin—two different strategies our minds use to try and control an outcome, usually the pursuit of happiness or the avoidance of pain.

There is a third path, one spoken of in many ancient traditions. It’s the path of quiet observation, where we stop trying to label our experiences as "good" or "bad" and instead, with a still mind, allow them to reveal their own inherent nature.

In this stillness, we're not creating meaning, but perhaps tuning in to a truth that was already there, waiting to be heard beneath the noise of our own desires. This, I believe, is the true path from misery to freedom—not by changing our thoughts, but by seeing through the thinker itself.

Thank you for sparking such a wonderful discussion.

— Soren K. Blackwood

Absolutely.
Positivity and negativity may be two sides of the same coin, but life isn’t a coin toss. Success isn’t 50/50.

People love quoting top performers as proof that *anyone* can make it. But one shining example doesn’t erase the million others who tried the same thing and failed. That one success is the exception, not the rule.

Role models are great for direction, but don’t mistake their path for a guaranteed map. To actually succeed, you have to stare at the negatives, the (what ifs) and prepare for them.

That’s the bigger idea behind my book "Power of Negative Thinking", because sometimes, the fastest way forward is by first looking at what could go wrong."

ps. you dont need to achieve the top most position to be successful. If you are doing good enough to survive, enjoy and still be with your loved ones... you are already successful.