I try really hard, but I can't seem to get rid of negative thoughts?

Question - Gurudev, I try really hard, but I can't seem to get rid of negative thoughts?

Gurudev Sri Sri - That is the problem. When negative thoughts come, don't chase them. If you chase them, then they come back with a big army. Just shake hands with them, say, 'Come on, sit with me.' Then they will disappear. These are the reasons we need to learn to meditate. When we meditate, we learn how to handle negative thoughts, or any thoughts for that matter. How to distinguish meditation from sleep or day dreaming? These are the things covered in the three day Art of Living Meditation program.