Intrusive Thoughts

[mvillarreal]

Hi, all. A few days ago I asked a question about victims of trauma and forgiveness and the dilemma the issue poses. To be honest, the reason I asked was because this question is constantly troubling my mind, and I can't let it go. I try to busy myself with something else, and the ruminations start coming again. Then, I start to have thoughts like, "What if hurt somebody really bad someday. How will I ever forgive myself? What if I completely lose it, hurt a bunch of people, and then cause pain to countless people?" Then, if I start to come to conclusions about the dilemma, I start to question those conclusions and wonder if I'm thinking about it the right way. How do I cope with these unending obsessions?

[onthetrail]

These are thoughts I've struggled with too at times. It was especially hard when raising a kid and I had to make decisions that sometimes hurt them, at least in the short term.

I think it is not possible to live life without causing some harm. Motivation is key though. It's a very different moral equation when you are trying to be helpful, versus harming on purpose.

It's also good to not inflate our own self importance: We are usually not the primary cause of what happens to other people. It's a complicated world out there, with multiple causes and conditions. I believe that the primary cause of what other people experience is their *own* behavior.

As far as the thoughts themselves, you care enough to be concerned. That's admirable. Meditation, letting the mind settle, is helpful for letting go of obsessive thoughts. Take care.