Acharya Prashant defines a negative thought as any thought that takes an individual away from themselves and makes them dependent upon others. He explains that when one believes their self-worth is dependent on the opinions or approval of others, they are engaging in negative thinking. This dependency often prevents people from taking action, as they become trapped in a cycle of worrying about how they will be perceived by the crowd or an authority figure. He uses the example of students who hesitate to ask questions due to self-doubt and fear of judgment to illustrate how negative thoughts create a barrier to self-expression. In contrast, a positive thought is described as a self-dependent thought that brings an individual closer to themselves. Acharya Prashant states that a positive thought affirms one's inherent value regardless of external validation. Furthermore, positive thoughts are characterized by their tendency to lead to quick action and then subside into a state of silence or meditation. While negative thoughts are divergent and perpetuate themselves endlessly without reaching a conclusion, positive thoughts are convergent, eventually diminishing to allow for energetic and clear action without mental clutter.