How to disentangle from negative thoughts?

| USA Maui Retreat 2016 Q&A 2016-11/16 (1:11:27-1:12:17)

Just keep recognizing it; don’t judge it – it is just a thought. Just keep stepping away from it – ‘Oh, this is happening now; this thought is happening now’. Don’t feed it.

Vipassana practitioners remember this formula: whatever arises, step back and recognize it - ‘Oh, I know you now’. And when the next thing comes up, recognize it and step back from it. 

And, appreciate the awareness.