A Closer Look At Questions 3 and 4

Byron Katie explains what she means by, “How do you react when you think that thought?”— Is it a gut reaction? Is it emotional? Is it thought?

It would be like you coming home expecting to see your son running into your arms. You’re very happy walking through the door, and then he’s not there. You look around, and you can’t find him. You look more and, if you’re married, your wife says, “Uh-oh, I haven’t seen him in a while,” and then you both begin to panic.

Notice the emotions that happen, on a scale from 1 to 10. They can go from mild discomfort all the way up to real panic. Nothing’s actually happened, except that you’re believing thoughts like “I need to find him,” “He’s missing,” “He’s in trouble,” or “Something terrible has happened to him.” Whatever your thought is in that situation—“He could be hurt” or “He needs me” or “I need to call 911”—how do you react when you believe that thought?

And then you find him—maybe he fell asleep in the closet and you find him there. How do you treat him if you’ve been believing those thoughts? While one person might simply be relieved, another person might wake him up and start crying and holding him, or someone else might yell at him for causing all that worry. Just imagine the little guy and his fear and what that would mean to someone who was just taking a nap, after all.

So: “How do you react when you believe that thought?” How does it feel in your body when you believe the thought? How do you treat other people and yourself? Is this where addictions kick in? Is this where you begin to overeat or smoke the cigarette you said you’d never smoke again?

That’s all in the third question. It’s meditation. You sit and you watch what happens to your life as a result of that thought. You go back to your childhood and then all the way up to the present. “How do you react—what happens—when you believe the thought?” It’s an amazing question. Your whole life will just appear in front of you in images.

And then the fourth question: “Who would you be without the thought?” The result is calmness. You can watch your life without the thought. Let’s say, for example, the child is asleep in the closet, and you are afraid something has happened to him. Who would you be without the thought “Something terrible has happened to him”? The thought is like a nightmare that has surfaced. Even though you don’t really want to admit it, it’s always present for some of us. It surfaces when you can’t find him after the first five minutes.

So, you watch: “Who am I without the thought ‘Something terrible has happened’?” And then you get to that closet a lot quicker because your mind is clear. It’s not panicked. It’s more intelligent and calm without the thought. It does the same work, but it’s so much more effective. Our children and the world deserve that kind of clarity.

Love is Action

"I've heard people say that they cling to their painful thoughts

because they're afraid that without them they wouldn't be activists for peace.

“If I feel peaceful,” they say, “why would I bother taking action at all?”

My answer is “Because that's what love does.”

To think that we need sadness or outrage

to motivate us to do what's right is insane.

As if the clearer and happier you get, the less kind you become.

As if when someone finds freedom, she just sits around all day

with drool running down her chin.

My experience is the opposite.

Love is action."

~ Byron Katie ~

Sudden Revelations

Here's what Byron Katie has to say about sudden revelations (such as the one she experienced) vs the steady work of daily inquiry:

People don’t need sudden revelations. They get what they need when they need it, thought by thought by thought. It’s a constant thing when the mind starts to wake up to itself.


Mind is infinitely creative. And when it’s not stuck, oh my goodness, that’s where the joy comes from. Something happens, and the way we think about it, understand it, see it, is actually hilarious, whereas before it used to depress us.


It would be like saying, “He told me to go away.” You can experience that in two ways: “He told me to go away” (Katie employs an aching, morose voice) or—and here’s how I would say it—“He told me to go away!” (Katie uses a bright, happy voice).


For me, if somebody tells me to go away, that is an opportunity: for me to give the person a better life, to realize where not to be, and to see what could be even better than being with that person I love.


So, the statements and concepts that used to depress me now bring me joy. That is not easily understood by people who believe what I used to believe.

From an Interview With Byron Katie

Begging vs Asking

In the comments on our post Begging For Mercy - Lets Get Started, Erica shared something from Tom T Moore's newsletter, and it got me thinking about begging vs asking. What's the difference? Is one better (more effective) than the other?

Here's what I came up with:

Begging is for when you're desperate... begging is for when you have so much emotion attached to the situation that a simple request feels inadquate and ineffective. When you are desperate, up against the wall, terrified, and/or totally freaking out, asking isn't even possible - you've way passed the point of even being able to ask nicely... Begging is for when you have exhausted every avenue, knocked on every door... for when you are lost in the woods and your map and compass fall into a badger hole... stuff like that.

Asking is for situations that don't fit into the above category. You're not up against the wall yet, water isn't spewing out of your pipes and drenching your whole house in the middle of the night in the dead of winter... you're not at the end of your rope and dangling over a cliff, real or imagined... you can still think straight and you can still breathe...

And actually, when I think about it... we do have a third category here. It's the action part. Because if my pipes are broken and spewing water, I'm not going to take the time to do any begging... I'm going to be running to the main shut off valve... then I'm going to be calling family and friends, banging on the neighbor's door and I'm going to be asking... it's when no one is home, when I'm standing outside freezing, and my phone isn't working because it got wet and frozen, that's when the begging would start... I've done what I could, I've reached out to where I know to reach out, now I'm up against it... now I'm desperate...

Begging for mercy isn't our "go-to" technique, it's our when all else fails high drama "I-give-up-you-fix-it-please-please-please" technique.

So, if during the course of this project there is no high drama - why not just try asking for help? Tomorrow I'll post some ideas on that subject, and I'd welcome any input, comments, suggestions, insights, and etc... please


As for our sister post, The Prosperity Puzzle...

Back in 2006, I posted something about inner work being as important as outer help when it comes to putting together the pieces of a "whole" life. Which brings to mind the question of what is a "whole" life anyway? And maybe that would be something interesting to explore for 30 days... putting our own puzzle pieces together... getting our lives together... etc... In the comments section, Grace mentioned Byron Katie, and The Work which is something I have on a waiting list for potential 30 day projects. And Michelle said something about love and fear - which is another potential project. So many good ideas! So much stuff to think about.

Grow The Good

Self-Made Millionaires are not smarter or better than you. They have just discovered these secrets and used them to become wealthy. You can do it too.

Here is secret #14:

DISCIPLINE YOURSELF. Fill your life with activities and people that make you grow. Discard activities that have negative results in your life.

Shirley says:

Oooh... this is a hard one. I bet if I did just this one thing I'd be amazed at the way my life would improve!

Work Hard

Self-Made Millionaires are not smarter or better than you. They have just discovered these secrets and used them to become wealthy. You can do it too.

Here is secret #6:

ESTABLISH A HEALTHY WORK ETHIC. Make taking action your best friend.

Here's what I think:

Absolutely! I am sure this is true. And at the same time, all work and no play... well... who can do that? So there needs to be also time structured in for fun, rest, rejuvenation, relaxation, and just plain goofing off. And what happens to me is that the goofing off part gets to be way more fun than the work part and pretty soon the work part starts to feel like pressure and I get anxious about what I'm NOT doing and then the resistance sets in and those ridiculously long bouts of freecell begin to occur.

I think in one of our projects somewhere along the line, it said that to start a new enterprise it requires about 3 hours of work a day on that one new thing. And where, I wonder, are those 3 hours going to come from? On the other hand, it doesn't have to be "all or nothing" I think a person could actually make good progress committing to just 1 hour a day... even 20 minutes (depending on what it is you want to accomplish).

And what do you guys think? Are you already hard at work? Are you working so hard at spinning your wheels that you aren't getting anywhere? Or maybe you're stuck in TV land, or Facebook world, or Majong mania? How does one find a balance? Driven committed people get a lot done - yes - but do you really want to be one of them? Are you one already? Speak to me people! I'm really curious to know what your thoughts are on this one.

Eight Laws Of Mind and Thought That Affect Change

We know as we begin the process of change, our own healing journey, that each one of us is and individual, unique to our own, with our own set of schemas, personal issues, and perception of how life has treated us. True? Perhaps not. Perceived fairness, or unfairness, good and bad memories, guilt, adaptive or maladaptive patterns do indeed all play into the factors that can either increase or decrease our chances for healing, but we can also look at common behaviors that we all fall into and from there begin to develop a guideline that can provide a basis for expectant behavior if we are to heal ourselves or facilitate a healing process in others. Some of these guides to facilitate or promote the healing process are:

The Eight Laws of Mind and Thought that Affect Change.

1. Law Of Desire To make a change in our lives, we must TRULY want the outcome we claim to seek. Not passively, but truly a burning desire for the positive outcome. If there is a pattern of secondary benefit, that is, a subconscious reason for an existing condition, such as attention, love, monetary reward, sympathy etc. these can create obstacles to healing. Developing a belief in ourselves as independent and able people can result in an altogether different positive outcomes.


2. Law Of Harmonious Attraction This is by far the most important law of thought; and it can be the easiest to apply once the simple concept is understood. Imagine a time when you thought about a desired result, saw yourself taking the steps to achieve the result and ACTUALLY ACHIEVED THE GOAL!! We have all done this to a certain extent. When we begin to understand the law of attraction, we can constantly attract what we desire. The Law of Manifestation implies that all we need to do is think of the result and we achieve it. Wouldn't't it be amazing if the universe worked that way? That theory has but one vital flaw, and that is we have to DO SOMETHING, do what it takes to reach our goal. No "new age"concepts here, it is pure and simple science.
   
   When we can imagine a goal, visualize taking the steps necessary to gain that goal, a part of the Limbic system of the brain called the Reticular Activating system takes over and we guides us to do what it takes to achieve the desired result. The Reticular Activating System is the attention center in the brain. It is the key to "turning on your brain," and seems to be the center of motivation. The Reticular Activating System is connected at its base to the spinal cord where it receives information projected directly from the ascending sensory tracts. The brain stem reticular formation runs all the way up to the mid brain. As a result, the Reticular Activating System is a very complex collection of neurons, which serve as a point of convergence for signals from the external world and from interior environment. In other words, it is the part of your brain where the world outside of you, and your thoughts and feelings from "inside" of you, meet.
   
   Professional athletes have known this for years, and we know that our clients will continue to attract conditions and situations that are in harmony with their thinking. It is important that what is NOT wanted be avoided in thinking. What our minds can imagine, our bodies can produce, both positive AND negative. Take time to examine your self-talk, is it filled with negative words such as "try", "should" "can't"? If so, consider changes in your language patterns to develop a positive outlook, imagine the results and watch yourself take the steps to achieve them. Do yourself a favor; take moment and "RAISE YOUR RETICULAR"!!!


3. Law of Expectancy/Belief Success/Healing is achieved when the mind TRULY believes and sincerely EXPECTS the imagined result to happen. The old adage "Seeing is Believing", may work for some, but for making life changes we have to think in a different paradigm. A much better line of thinking would be the phrase, "Believing is SEEING". Success is achieved only with the trust and belief that it can be done. What we expect to happen does indeed happen. When we have faith and expectancy, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that we will get better, make more money, have a better relationship etc.; we can succeed in achieving that goal. This again also holds true for negative behavior as well. As a therapist, my clients come to me with a certain expectations that I will be able to help them overcome their issues. With this positive image and belief system set in place, the odds for success are greatly increased.


4. Law Of Relaxation This is also the law of opposite effort. If we are doing manual work, we must put all our effort into it to be successful. When approaching mental work, we must step aside and allow it to come naturally. Desired outcomes cannot be forced or manipulated. Imagery is the tool; thought is the technique. If you consider thoughts as entities, therefore, they have the energy and ability to bring about a desired change.


5. Law Of Visualization With guidance, we can generally be helped to see the positive end result. Negatives can be released and a new positive image is imprinted. This new positive image has to be a product of our own mind, our own positive self-images, one that we can relate to and above all, it must, BE BELIEVABLE!!!! If the image isn't believable, it will not bypass the critical factor in the brain and it will not become reality. Once we, begin to easily see ourselves becoming part of that believable new physical visual image, we become part of the positive resolution.


6.  Law of Substitution Since the mind can only hold one thought at a time, and we choose what that thought will be at any given moment, it is essential that negative thoughts be cancelled out and the empty space filled with substituted positive thoughts, imagery and impressions. It is not enough to simply identify seed thoughts that create fear, or issues in our lives, those negative self-thoughts and self-talk must be eliminated and substituted. This procedure is one of the major differences between "talk therapy" and hypnosis. Using hypnosis, we can provide the imagery that provides a positive substitution.


7. Law of Repetition The importance of repetition cannot be understated. We humans are creatures of habit, and therefore most of us aren't willing to make major life changes easily. Although we may tell ourselves, trying to convince ourselves that we accept change readily, our deep subconscious, the very place where change happens, gets stuck in past memories, frameworks, and schemas, and until we make the changes at the subconscious level, those changes will not stay in place. Luckily since humans are "meaning making machines", that is we have to place meaning on all aspects of behavior, and we CAN be essentially "reprogrammed" or "rewired", we CAN be successful if we use the simple technique of repetition. Habits are made and broken in a span of 21 to 30 days as a rule. Repetition for that length of time can greatly increase the odds of making permanent change.


8. Law of Self Concept This is so very important. This law is the key to making positive changes in our lives. We must be able to feel deserving, worthy, and capable of achieving their desired outcome. If others; our parents, friends, spouses, siblings, are occupying rent -free space in our minds, these areas of control need to be released and reclaimed. We must begin to feel self-empowered, able to take responsibility for OUR OWN HEALING, or no such healing will ever take place. The need to end the self-defeating behavior and empty the bag of limiting thoughts and actions must take place to begin to become empowered individuals. For too long we may have been made to feel inferior, inadequate or deficient. We may have been told that we were fat, ugly, and stupid, that no one would want us; or others such words designed to imprison us in a shell and take away our natural born power. Only by building the self-esteem, the self worth can these issues be overcome and our personal power, our sacred space, our own self worth, be taken back. We need to feel safe that our anger is justified when appropriate, that it is OKAY to SHOW and FEEL emotions, not stuff them away, that we are worthy, deserving individuals that have a right to happiness, health, prosperity and love. Then, and only then can the change, the healing, which we all deserve, can begin.

Ron Stubbs is a Registered Certified Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist in the Greater Seattle/San Juan Island area. He has become one of the most well respected hypnotherapists in the Pacific Northwest Area. He is a national speaker, teaches nationally with Dr. Kevin Hogan PHD and Marie Mongan (Hypnobirthing Founder), an expert on Tinnitus (ringing in the ears), Chronic Illness/Pain, Fibromyalgia, Depression, Adult Sexual Abuse Issues, Pediatric (Child) Hypnosis, Hypnobirthing, Past Life Regression as well as General Hypnotherapy for issues such as Weight Management and Stop Smoking, giving lectures, teaching classes and seminars on hypnosis. He has helped clients reach their goals of wellness from ages 4 to 90. He is currently teaching Basic thru Master Level Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy certification classes Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, Washington. He is also in the process of writing various articles for publication on hypnosis and related subjects. He is the co-owner of Islelife Hypnosis, located on beautiful Camano Island, and can be reached at 360-387-1197 or by email at Islelife@Camano.net.© Ron Stubbs

The Innermost Cave

Today we're exploring the seventh stage of being a hero (from Joseph Campbell's book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces):


7: The Hero Reaches The Innermost Cave

The hero comes at last to a dangerous place, often deep underground, where the object of his quest is hidden. In the Arthurian stories the Chapel Perilous is the dangerous chamber where the seeker finds the Grail. In many myths the hero has to descend into hell to retrieve a loved one, or into a cave to fight a dragon and gain a treasure. It's Theseus going into the Labyrinth to face the Minotaur. In STAR WARS it's Luke and company being sucked into the Death Star where they will rescue Princess Leia. Sometimes it's the hero entering the headquarters of his nemesis; and sometimes it's just the hero going into his or her own dream world to confront his or hers worst fears... and overcome them.

My thoughts on the subject:

It seems to me that once I'm this deeply emmeshed in "the journey", that all thoughts of "living large" or "being heroic" or "having a better life" are at this point completely dominated by the absolute necessity to get whatever it is that needs to be gotten, go where ever I need to go, and do what ever needs to be done so that I can come through this thing alive. Once I've come this far, the second guessing is over, the hesitations vanish, and I find that I actually do have courage, and wisdom, grit and determination.

What about you? I'm sure we've all been there more than once. It may not have been as interesting or aweinspiring as Chapel Perilous, the Death Star, or Mount Doom, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous, or important. I remember when I went into labor for the first time, There I was on the threshold thinking... what the heck have I done? children? I don't want children! I just want puppies! Then suddenly there was a midwife, and hot compresses, all thought left me... and I just wanted to get it done and over with.

So, if you're hesitating on the threshold of a new journey, or if you're unsure about entering that innermost cave, I'm thinking that it might be really helpful to make a list of your previous "Cave" experiences. You just might find more confidence in your inner resources, and valuable insights into your own unique strengths and abilities.

Passing the Threshold

Today we're exploring the fifth stage of being a hero (from Joseph Campbell's book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces):


5: The hero passes the first threshold.

He fully enters the special world of his story for the first time. This is the moment at which the story takes off and the adventure gets going. The balloon goes up, the romance begins, the plane or spaceship blasts off, the wagon train gets rolling. Dorothy sets out on the Yellow Brick Road. Bilbo heads out his front door with the dwarves; Frodo and Sam leave the shire. Buffy kills her first vampire. The hero is now committed to his journey... and there's no turning back.

Something to think about:

This is where I always seem to get stuck. It takes a mighty kick to send me over that threshold. What about you? Can you think of your last "point of no return"? Are you looking at it right now? Does it tend to sneak up on you and suddenly you realize that you're committed? Or is it usually something you consciously decide? Is this the scariest part? or is that yet to come?

And sometimes I wonder if every action, every decision, every new day, is a threshold of some kind. And if that's true, does that mean we can change our story at any time? Can you change your story right now by doing or deciding something different? By getting up on a different side of the bed? Or does the drama have to play out first....

The Reluctant Hero

Today we're exploring the third stage of being a hero (from Joseph Campbell's book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces):


3: The hero is reluctant at first.

Often at this point, the hero balks at the threshold of adventure. After all, he or she is facing the greatest of all fears -- fear of the unknown. At this point Luke refuses Obi Wan's call to adventure, and returns to his aunt and uncle's farmhouse, only to find they have been barbecued by the Emperor's stormtroopers. Suddenly Luke is no longer reluctant, and is eager to undertake the adventure. He is motivated.

Captain Jack Sparrow is ever the reluctant hero, constantly trying to take the cowards way out, do the dastardly thing. He becomes a hero despite himself. Even Sam hesitates at the beginning of the journey, stopping at the outer limits of the Shire, having second thoughts about leaving. Buffy didn't want to be the slayer, she just wanted to be prom queen. I'm noticing that in each of these instances there is some deep motivation. And it's not something light - like tea and cookies - it's desperate situarions, life and death, losing everything, friends in danger, that sort of thing.

Something to consider:

I'm sure we've all been here... hesitating on the threshold of a new experience, something life changing about to occur. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Because it seems to me that what we have here is the "tricky" part. How do know the difference between taking the leap of faith that will put you on the path to fulfilling your destiny, and stupidly jumping into a pool of sharks where you will be eaten alive? Is there a difference? What would have happened to Sam if he had stayed in the Shire? What if Aragorn had chosen not to go with Frodo? Is it possible to say "no" to something like this? Would another hero step in? Or would circumstances have simply forced Sam, Aragorn, Buffy, and Luke Skywalker onto their respective paths anyway?

Your Call To Adventure

Today we're exploring the second stage of being a hero (from Joseph Campbell's book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces):



2: The Call to Adventure:

The hero is presented with a problem, challenge, or adventure. Maybe the land is dying, as in the Arthur stories about the search for the Holy Grail. In STAR WARS again, it's Princess Leia's holographic message to Obi Wan Kenobi, who asks Luke to join in the quest. In detective stories, it's the hero accepting a new case. In romantic comedies it could be the first sight of that special -- but annoying someone the hero or heroine will be pursuing/sparring with the remainder of the story.

Something to think about:

So, what's your call to adventure? Are you in this present moment presented with a problem, challenge, or adventure? Have you already embarked on a journey of sorts? If not, can you remember a moment in time when opportunity came knocking? What did you do? How did you respond?

Becoming A Hero

Believe it or not, I put these words, "how to become a hero" into my google search bar and came up with a website dedicated to just that! Here's an exerpt from one of the articles by C.J. Hayden:

"In the current issue of Inquiring Mind, I ran across this powerful statement in an article by Susan Burggraf, titled "Ordinary Buddhas: That Means You, Babe." Writing about finding one's path, Susan says, "Here's the big trick: don't work with what you don't have, don't develop new skills. There are so many doors and so many openings, so there's one that's sized right for who you are right now."

This is one of the keys to setting out on a heroic path. True heroes take action; that's how they become heroes. They don't just think and talk about what needs to be done some day; they start doing something about it now. Instead of taking one more class, reading one more book, earning one more degree, or working one more year at the job that eats away at their soul, they find a place to begin today.

Bilbo Baggins left home without even his handkerchief. Why do you think you need to learn more, grow more, or acquire more before starting out on the path you were meant for? You will never be completely ready. Start from wherever you are. "

Why is it harder for some of us?

I don't know why I'm finding it so hard to just strike out and DO something to really claim my inner Aragorn! Or to find my "great work."  Am I expecting too much too soon? Am I avoiding something obvious? Are you having as much trouble as I am when it comes to figuring out how to bring this larger than life character, or archetype into reality?

So this is what I was thinking about when, the Master of the Universe sent me to a web page with this article:

Some things are easier for some people and harder for others in all areas of life. Why?

Huna philosophy says that the world is what you think it is, there are no limits, energy flows where attention goes, now is the moment of power, and effectiveness is the measure of truth.


In this context, the answer to the question is that it has to do with what you believe about yourself and about life. Right now you are manifesting everything in your life quite automatically without any apparent effort. When you have no blocks about a particular thing, the slightest thought can bring it into your experience. People who seem unusually lucky in certain areas simply have no fears or doubts to get in the way in those areas. So they can decide on something related to those areas and have it happen with ease.


It is when you want to change a long-standing conditions in your life in a conscious way that you often have to apply so much time and energy in manifesting the change. This is because you must also change the beliefs that brought you to your present condition. When changes seem to occur on their own, it is because you haven't noticed a more gradual change in beliefs that has been taking place on a "subconscious" level.


You manifest your own reality. But it is the total "you" that does this, not the conscious mind alone. To put it accurately, your Higher Self creates your reality according to the beliefs you have established in your Ku. And those beliefs are established by concentrated attention and repetition by your Lono.


To change your experience, you must change yourself. The rule of life is that you get what you concentrate on. Just be sure you know exactly what it is that you are concentrating on. Many think they are concentrating on having health, wealth, love, success, or spirituality, when they are really concentrating on the lack of it. Manifesting something very different in your life will depend on the strength of your motivation, the persistence of your concentration on what you want instead of what you don't want, and the degree of confidence you have that the Universe will help you get the best possible outcome according to these factors.

~Serge Kahili King

Did you find that helpful? I did. But then, I could feel myself slinking away, leaving it in the realm of "something I read," "something I agree with," and "something I could talk about here." And as I was watching that moment of action slip away, I clicked on another link on the website and found this! It's called the Menehune Lagoon, one of those online oracle type things. So, I asked the question, what is the first step I could take in my quest to become Aragorn. Here's what I got!

WELA KA HAO!

Strike while the iron is hot!

Don't hesitate. Do it now.

It's time for action, rather than thinking.

Take advantage of the opportunities in front of you.

Ever the doubter, always a procrastinator, I then asked "But how do I know what those opportunities are?" And this was my answer:

'IKE NO I KA LA O KA 'IKE, MANA NO I KA LA O KA MANA

There is a time for knowledge and a time for power

When you don't know what to do, ask for higher help.

It's time to put your knowledge into practice.

If you don't have all the answers, trust yourself and do it anyway.

Looks like I'd better get started and do something right now! I'm thinking I'll start by turning off my computer. Then, I think I'll turn on some music and get some energy moving in this house!

More On Doing

Every action is either strong or weak; and when every one is strong, you are acting in the Certain Way which will make you rich.

Every act can be made strong and efficient by holding your vision while you are doing it, and putting the whole of your FAITH and PURPOSE into it.

It is at this point that the people fail who separate mental power from personal action. They use the power of mind in one place and at one time, and they act in another place and at another time. So their acts are not successful in themselves; too many of them are inefficient. But if All Power goes into every act, no matter how commonplace every act will be a success in itself; and as in the nature of things every success opens the way to other successes, your progress toward what you want, and the progress of what you want toward you, will become increasingly rapid.

Remember that successful action is cumulative in its results. Since the desire for more life is inherent in all things, when a man begins to move toward larger life more things attach themselves to him, and the influence of his desire is multiplied.

Do, every day, all that you can do that day, and do each act in an efficient manner.

In saying that you must hold your vision while you are doing each act, however trivial or commonplace, I do not mean to say that it is necessary at all times to see the vision distinctly to its smallest details. It should be the work of your leisure hours to use your vision, and to contemplate them until they are firmly fixed upon your memory.

If you wish speedy results, spend practically all your spare time in this practice.

By continuous contemplation you will get the picture of what you want, even to the smallest details, so firmly fixed upon your mind, and so completely transferred to the mind of Formless Substance, that in your working hours you need only to mentally refer to the picture to stimulate your faith and purpose, and cause your best effort to be put forth.

Contemplate your picture in your leisure hours until your consciousness is so full of it that you can grasp it instantly. You will become so enthused with its bright promises that the mere thought of it will call forth the strongest energies of your whole being.

Let us again repeat our syllabus, and by slightly changing the closing statements bring it to the point we have now reached.

There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, and which, in its original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the interspaces of the universe.

A thought in this substance, produces the thing that is imaged by the thought.

Man can form things in his thought, and, by impressing his thoughts upon formless substance, can cause the thing he things about to be created.

In order to do this, man must pass from the competitive to the creative mind; he must form a clear mental picture of the things he wants, and do, with faith and purpose, all that can be done each day, doing each separate thing in an efficient manner.

From: The Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace D Wattles

(Click on the image to view fullsize and download as wallpaper.)

Any thoughts or ideas?
Agreements?
Disagreements?

Power in Action

Do, every day, ALL that can be done that day.

There is, however, a limitation or qualification of the above that you must take into account.

You are not to overwork, nor to rush blindly into your business in the effort to do the greatest possible number of things in the shortest amount of time.

You are not to try to do tomorrow's work today, nor to do a week's work in a day.

It is really not the number of things you do, but the EFFICIENCY of each separate action that counts.

Every act is, in itself, either a success or a failure.

Every act is, in itself, either effective or inefficient.

Every inefficient act is a failure, and if you spend your life in doing inefficient acts, your whole life will be a failure.

The more things you do, the worse for you, if all your acts are inefficient ones.

On the other hand, every efficient act is a success in itself, and if every act of your life is an efficient one, your whole life MUST be a success.

The cause of failure is doing too many things in an inefficient manner, and not doing enough things in an efficient manner.

You will see that it is a self-evident preposition that if you do not do any inefficient acts, and if you do a sufficient number of efficient acts, you will become rich. If, now, it is possible for you to make each act an efficient one, you see again that the getting of riches is reduced to an exact science, like mathematics.

The matter turns, then, on the question whether you can make each separate act a success in itself. And this you can certainly do.

You can make each act a success, because All Power is working with you; and All Power cannot fail.

Power is at your service; and to make each act efficient you have only to put power into it.

From: The Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace D Wattles

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What does efficiency mean to you?
Do you act with power?

Efficient Action

You must use your thought as directed in previous chapters, and begin to do what you can do where you are; and you must do ALL that you can do where you are.

You can advance only by being larger than your present place; and no man is larger than his present place who leaves undone any of the work pertaining to that place.

The world is advanced only by those who more than fill their present places.

If no man quite filled his present place, you can see that there must be a going backward in everything. Those who do not quite fill their preset places are a dead weight upon society, government, commerce, and industry; they must be carried along by others at a great expense. The progress of the world is retarded only by those who do not fill the places they are holding; they belong to a former age and a lower stage or plane of life, and their tendency is toward degeneration. No society could advance if every man was smaller than his place; social evolution is guided by the law of physical and mental evolution. In the animal world, evolution is caused by excess of life.

When an organism has more life than can be expressed in the functions of its own plane, it develops the organs of a higher plane, and a new species is originated.

There never would have been new species had there not been organisms which more than filled their places. The law is exactly the same for you; your getting rich depends upon your applying this principle to your own affairs.

Every day is either a successful day or a day of failure; and it is the successful days which get you what you want. If every day is a failure, you can never get rich; while if every day is a success, you cannot fail to get rich.

If there is something that may be done today, and you do not do it, you have failed in so far as that thing is concerned; and the consequences may be more disastrous than you imagine.

You cannot foresee the results of even the most trivial act; you do not know the workings of all the forces that have been set moving in your behalf. much may be depending on your doing some simple act; it may be the very thing which is to open the door of opportunity to very great possibilities. You can never know all the combinations which Supreme Intelligence is making for you in the world of things and of human affairs; your neglect or failure to do some small thing may cause a long delay in getting what you want.

From: The Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace D Wattles

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Any thoughts or ideas?
Agreements?
Disagreements?

Do Not...

Do not give your creative impulse to Original Substance, and then sit down and wait for results; if you do, you will never get them. Act now. There is never any time but now, and there never will be any time but now. If you are ever to begin to make ready for the reception of what you want, you must begin now.

And your action, whatever it is, must most likely be in your present business or employment, and must be upon the persons and things in your present environment.

You cannot act where you are not; you cannot act where you have been, and you cannot act where you are going to be; you can act only where you are.

Do not bother as to whether yesterday's work was well done or ill done; do today's work well.

Do not try to do tomorrow's work now; there will be plenty of time to do that when you get to it.

Do not try, by occult or mystical means, to act on people or things that are out of reach.

Do not wait for a change of environment before you act; get a change of environment by action.

You can so act upon the environment in which you are now, as to cause yourself to be transferred to a better environment.

Hold with faith and purpose the vision of yourself in the better environment, but act upon your present environment with all your heart, and with all your strength, and with all your mind.

Do not spend any time in day dreaming or castle building; hold to the one vision of what you want, and act NOW.

Do not cast about seeking some new thing to do, or some strange, unusual or remarkable action to perform as a first step toward getting rich. It is probable that your actions, at least for some time to come, will be those you have been performing for some time past; but you are to begin now to perform these actions in the Certain Way, which will surely make you rich.

If you are engaged in some business and feel that it is not the right one for you, do not wait until you get into the right business before you begin to act.

Do not feel discouraged, or sit down and lament because you are misplaced. No man was ever so misplaced but that he could find the right place, and no man every became so involved in the wrong business but that he could get into the right business.

Hold the vision of yourself in the right business, with the purpose to get into it, and the faith that you will get into it, and are getting into it; but ACT in your present business. Use your present business as the means of getting a better one, and use your present environment as the means of getting into a better one. Your vision of the right business, if held with faith and purpose, will cause the Supreme to move the right business toward you; and your action, if performed in the Certain Way, will cause you to move toward the business.

If you are an employee, or wage earner, and feel that you must change places in order to get what you want, do not "project" your thoughts into space and rely on it to get you another job. It will probably fail to do so.

Hold the vision of yourself in the job you want, while you ACT with faith and purpose on the job you have, and you will certainly get the job you want.

Your vision and faith will set the creative force in motion to bring it toward you, and your action will cause the forces in your own environment to move you toward the place you want.

From: The Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace D Wattles

(Click on the image to view fullsize and download as wallpaper.)

Any thoughts or ideas?
Agreements?
Disagreements?

Acting in the Certain Way

Thought is the creative power, or the impelling force which causes the creative power to act; thinking in a Certain Way will bring riches to you, but you must not rely upon thought alone, paying no attention to personal action. That is the rock upon which many otherwise scientific metaphysical thinkers meet shipwreck - the failure to connect thought with personal action.

We have not yet reached the stage of development, even supposing such a stage to be possible, in which man can create directly from Formless Substance without nature's processes or the work of human hands; man must not only think, but his personal action must supplement his thought.

By thought you can cause the gold in the hearts of the mountains to be impelled toward you; but it will not mine itself, refine itself, coin itself into double eagles, and come rolling along the roads seeking its way into your pocket.

Under the impelling power of the Supreme Spirit, men's affairs will be so ordered that some one will be led to mind the gold for you; other men's business transactions will be so directed that the gold will be brought toward you, and you must so arrange your own business affairs that you may be able to receive it when it comes to you.

Your thought makes all things, animate and inanimate, work to bring you what you want; but your personal activity must be such that you can rightly receive what you want when it reaches you. You are not to take it as charity, nor to steal it; you must give every man more in use value than he gives you in cash value.

The scientific use of thought consists in forming a clear and distinct mental image of what you want; in holding fast to the purpose to get what you want; and in realizing with grateful faith that you do get what you want.

Do not try to "project" your thought in any mysterious or occult way, with the idea of having it go out and do things for you; that is wasted effort, and will weaken your power to think with sanity.

The action of thought in getting rich is fully explained in the preceding chapters; your faith and purpose positively impress your vision upon Formless Substance, which has THE SAME DESIRE FOR MORE LIFE THAT YOU HAVE; and this vision, received from you, sets all the creative forces at work IN AND THROUGH THEIR REGULAR CHANNELS OF ACTION, but directed toward you.

It is not your part to guide or supervise the creative process; all you have to do with that is to retain your vision, stick to your purpose, and maintain your faith and gratitude.

But you must act in a Certain Way so that you can appropriate what is yours when it comes to you; so that you can meet the things you have in your picture, and put them in their proper places as they arrive.

You can readily see the truth of this. When things reach you, they will be in the hands of other men, who will ask an equivalent for them.

And you can only get what is yours by giving the other man what is his.

Your pocketbook is not going to be transformed into a Fortunatus's purse, which shall be always full of money without effort on your part.

This is the crucial point in the science of getting rich; right here, where thought and personal action must be combined. There are very many people who, consciously or unconsciously, set the creative forces in action by the strength and persistence of their desires, but who remain poor because they do not provide for the reception of the thing they want when it comes.

By thought, the thing you want is brought to you; by action you receive it.

Whatever your action is to be, it is evident that you must act NOW. You cannot act in the past, and it is essential to the clearness of your mental vision that you dismiss the past from your mind. You cannot act in the future, for the future is not here yet. And you cannot tell how you will want to act in any future contingency until that contingency has arrived.

Because you are not in the right business, or the right environment now, do not think that you must postpone action until you get into the right business or environment. And do not spend time in the present taking thought as to the best course in possible future emergencies; have faith in your ability to meet any emergency when it arrives.

If you act in the present with your mind on the future, your present action will be with a divided mind, and will not be effective.

Put your whole mind into present action.

From: The Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace D Wattles

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What are you doing, right now, to bring your desires into reality?

When in doubt...

Perhaps life is calling you right now to shape a beautiful work or composition that will serve others as well as yourself. Visualize it and then take definite action, without any half-measures. As Rumi says:

“When in doubt, start a large foolish project like Noah!”

What's the rush?

I am working hard to get this project wrapped up so that we can start our next one. It's going a little slower than I would like, so I am offering this Abraham Card as today's post.

What's the big hurry? You're not ever going to get it done, so what are you racing toward?

Every single activity that you're involved in is for one purpose only, and that is to give you a moment of joy. That's why it all exists.

Lighten up. Laugh more.
Appreciate more. All is well.