HYT TTP Assignments
Student : Rachelle Chase
Mentor : Michael Smith
Assignment 15 : September 12, 2013
Summary report: Pleasant thoughts Report
The following is a summary from my journal of the key insights and observations I have made
while focusing on being aware of my thoughts and emotions at various times during the day

In observing my thoughts I have come to realize the vast majority of my thoughts have to
do with the people/relationships in my life and with nature and the connections in the
universe.
o
1
My mother ( how is she doing, is she happy, is she proud of me, how can I help
ease her burden : My son - I am proud of him, have I told him that, why doesn’t
he go to the dentist to get his teeth fixed : My daughter – she seems upset today
, is she happy, how can I help ease her burden : My husband – gratitude, love,
acceptance and sometimes irritation with his habits ( why does he still keep
smoking ) : Nature/ - birds, water, Eagles, flowers, squirrels, stars in the sky at
4:00 AM , energy in the sun, energy in the plants, the earth, sun and water
sustaining all living creatures.

In reflecting on where the thoughts are coming from and what triggers pleasant versus
worrisome thoughts, I have observed when I am not keeping my mind busy, Chitta sends
me up a lot of memories that can trigger worrisome thoughts related to past problems
and projections of the future. When I am mentally occupied in something productive that
keeps me anchored in the present, or I am in meditation (mantra) worrisome thoughts do
not occur and my mind is occupied with observing the world around and within me.

In observing what emotions trigger negative thoughts, I have realized that when my
relationships are sound I can remain calm even when others are upset. When I am not
taking care of me, or not taking care of my relationships with others, I can get emotionally
caught up in the drama of others lives. I don’t have complete clarity on how Buddi is
involved in this process, but it seems that if I just rely on my Manas mind and connect to
old memories / samskara’s than I get upset. If I stop and allow my Buddi to assess the
reality of this situation and remind me this is not something Real that I have to participate
in, or just go I into internal silence and mantra, the emotion passes and I can stay calm.

I have also noticed by doing this exercise that I am observing things ( peoples’ actions)
that register in my mind as negative actions, but instead of sharing that negative thought
with someone else I am just letting it pass and trying not to pass judgment on someone
else for their actions.

In general my mind is occupied with pleasant thoughts the vast majority of the time, and
through the practices I have learned in both Alanon and Yoga, I am able to catch myself
when I am thinking negatively and redirect my thinking to pleasant thoughts .