Mind-techniques for motivation and success
By Jimmy Henderson
We all have a subconscious part of our mind which functions as a sort of ‘automatic pilot’ to regulate our bodily functions such as breathing and heartbeat as well as some important mental activities. Throughout our lives we have filled up this subconscious mind with beliefs about ourselves which form unwritten ‘rules’ and govern our thinking and perceptions. The problem is that, if these beliefs are limiting or negative, they can reduce our level of motivation and chances of success.
If we really wish to be self-motivated and achieve success, we have to create the psychological space for this to happen by seeing ourselves as having an almost limitless potential and not allowing ourselves to be governed by these self-imposed limits. Fortunately, research has shown that we can change these negative internal ‘rules’ simply by assimilating powerful new thoughts and ideas about ourselves and the world. And there are a number of subliminal mind-techniques we can use to do this:
Affirmations
Affirmations are positive statements directed at self-empowerment which we repeat to ourselves over and over until they filter through into our subconscious mind where they replace the negative beliefs. For example,
• ‘I release all negative thoughts about myself’
• ‘I am a positive and successful person’
• ‘I will not allow this person, situation or event to hold me back’
• ‘I will not be bothered by the negativity of others’
It often helps to stand in front of a mirror when we do this. Affirmations should be repeated at least three times a day.
Intentions
An intention is more powerful than an affirmation, but requires a very specific state of mind, being a single and precise thought as to exactly what we expect or require from ourselves. It is like an instruction to our subconscious mind. However, it must be simply-worded and unambiguous. It can be said out aloud, or in our minds, but it is useful to begin by stating these intentions verbally until we become used to the process.
Here are a number of examples:
• ‘I now remove all negative thoughts from my mind’
• ‘I now begin this project with the view of success’
• ‘I now open my mind to only thoughts of success’
The power of an intention is that there is no hesitation or doubt, and this is proven by saying it only once with total confidence and conviction, then releasing it by putting it out of our minds. Once we have set the intention, we need to proceed with our next action with the full belief that what we have said, will actually happen.
Meditation
Our state of mind is very important for motivation and success, and we can easily change this by using certain mental exercises. Research has shown that the best state for reducing anxiety and reaching a point of focus, clarity and creativity is the Alpha wave state. This is a low frequency brainwave pattern which has been shown to be ideal for relaxation and working with the mind. When practicing this technique, soft, meditative music can also be played to enhance the effect.
A simple method of reaching this state is by means of slow counting and moving our focus away from our surroundings to our breathing.
For example, sit quietly and comfortably, close your eyes and begin to breathe to a count of one to four. Focus on nothing else but the counting (either aloud or in your mind).
Breathe in 1,2,3,4, hold your breath, 1,2,3,4, breathe out 1,2,3,4, hold your breath 1,2,3,4, breathe in 1,2,3,4, and so on.
Carry on with the counting and breathing until your mind is free of all thought, completely quiet and you feel totally relaxed.
Try to meditate in this way for at least twenty seconds a few times each day. This will help to clear your mind of distractions and provide you with a deeper self-awareness and insight which are useful for decision-making and ultimately, success.
Visualization
Research also shows that our subconscious mind cannot always differentiate between an inner (imagined) experience and an identical real-life situation. An example of this would be the cold sweats, rapid breathing and increased heart-rate we experience during a bad dream.
Second, we all have the power to create a mental picture of any scene or situation within our consciousness. And this has a similar effect on our body and emotional state as what would occur had we experienced this event in real-life. In other words, we can change our negative and limiting internal ‘rules’, as well as de-motivating emotional states, simply by sitting quietly and visualizing ourselves as happy and achieving a goal or a desired outcome in our career.
This sounds a bit like daydreaming, but it is far more focused and powerful, and as I said, can change our subconscious feelings and self-beliefs, making us feel more confident and positive, at least for a while. However, over time these feelings can become embedded in our subconscious and bring about real change. In fact, psychological research has shown that the more positive and confident actions resulting from this exercise can actually become a self-fulfilling prophecy and attract those very situations which we have visualized.
This exercise can also be used in conjunction with a vision-board, in which we paste or stick
cut-out pictures representing our desired successes on a board, and use these pictures as a basis for our visualization.
Jimmy Henderson is a trauma counsellor as well as a well-known metaphysical teacher and regular radio talk show guest. He is the author of a number of articles as well as two self-help books working with the power of the mind entitled ‘Multi-Dimensional Thinking’ and ‘Multi-Dimensional Perception’ which are available at Exclusive books. He is currently completing his MA degree in Cognitive Psychology with UNISA.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Using intuition for protection
Using Intuition for protection
By Jimmy Henderson
Our bodies have an inherent intelligence with which they are able to communicate with us in the form of sensory cues such as sensations, impressions and feelings. For example, feeling ill after a meal usually suggests that we have eaten something that did not agree with us. And we all experience ‘hunger pains’ or uncomfortable feelings and sensations when we need food or drink. This principle forms the basis of many diagnostic and holistic treatments involving bio-feedback. What is little known is that this ability can be strengthened and improved and used in combination with our intuition to detect emotional or psychological threats as well.
Intuition is a powerful ally in the protection of our physical, emotional, psychological and even spiritual wellness. For instance, I am sure that you have all personally experienced feelings of ‘discomfort’ when entering some places or situations, but did not give them a second thought. These ‘feelings’ are actually intuitive warnings from our subconscious, but in most cases, we simply choose to overlook or ignore them.
Our intuition works in conjunction with our subconscious, which is simply a level of our mind and consciousness of which we are normally not aware. Our subconscious regulates our body functions such as breathing, digestion and heartbeat, but also filters all the sensory information around us, allowing in only that which we need for our everyday tasks. In this way, it is able to protect us from unnecessary stress.
However, our subconscious can also detect, as well as warn us, of any threats to our well-being.
For example, in any situation, especially those involving other people, a number of clues are embedded or hidden in their actions, body language, words and emotions which show their real motives and intentions. Our subconscious can also pick up negativity or negative thoughts directed against us, and though our intuition, is able to provide us with subtle warnings in the form of sensations, feelings, impressions, words or even images.
The following guidelines can assist in your ability to develop your intuition for the purpose of developing your own ‘early-warning’ protective system.
• When entering a situation, relax and clear your mind and set your intention to receive intuitive messages
• Open yourself to any subtle bodily sensations, impressions, thoughts or feelings you are experiencing
• Engage your intuition by comparing these feelings to colours, shapes, textures and scents and asking questions. For example, ‘Is this feeling heavy or light?’; ‘What colour does it suggest?’, Is it ‘round’ and ‘smooth’ or ‘rough’ and ‘spiky’?, ‘Does this give me the feeling of ‘hard’ or ‘fluffy’?’ ‘What does it smell like?’ (fresh and sweet, or dank and dusty?).
• Wait for intuitive answers to all these questions
This kind of symbolic association sounds a little weird but if you apply the principles correctly, your intuition can provide you with very detailed information on the threat that your subconscious is detecting.
For example, your intuition may have compared the situation to the colour ‘grey’, a ‘spiky’ shape, a ‘hard’ texture and a ‘dusty’ smell. All that now remains is now to interpret these associations in terms of your own past experiences. For example, ‘grey’ could suggest a depressing situation (grey clouds), one which could also be dangerous (spiky -spikes are dangerous), difficult to manage (hard -a hard object is usually heavy and not easy to work with) and could be related to old unresolved issues (dusty-as in a neglected house full of memories).
In other words, the intuitive message from your subconscious is that you are in a situation that is depressing, could be dangerous to your physical, emotional or psychological health, would be difficult to resolve and has arisen due to something in your past.
By combining your intuition with your natural subconscious defences in this way, you are able to create a protective early-warning system.
Jimmy Henderson is a metaphysical teacher and the author of a number of books and articles on self-development. His books ‘Multi-Dimensional Thinking’ (2007) and ‘Multi-dimensional Perception’ (2010) are available on Amazon.com and can also be ordered via his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com
He is currently completing his Masters degree in Cognitive Psychology.
By Jimmy Henderson
Our bodies have an inherent intelligence with which they are able to communicate with us in the form of sensory cues such as sensations, impressions and feelings. For example, feeling ill after a meal usually suggests that we have eaten something that did not agree with us. And we all experience ‘hunger pains’ or uncomfortable feelings and sensations when we need food or drink. This principle forms the basis of many diagnostic and holistic treatments involving bio-feedback. What is little known is that this ability can be strengthened and improved and used in combination with our intuition to detect emotional or psychological threats as well.
Intuition is a powerful ally in the protection of our physical, emotional, psychological and even spiritual wellness. For instance, I am sure that you have all personally experienced feelings of ‘discomfort’ when entering some places or situations, but did not give them a second thought. These ‘feelings’ are actually intuitive warnings from our subconscious, but in most cases, we simply choose to overlook or ignore them.
Our intuition works in conjunction with our subconscious, which is simply a level of our mind and consciousness of which we are normally not aware. Our subconscious regulates our body functions such as breathing, digestion and heartbeat, but also filters all the sensory information around us, allowing in only that which we need for our everyday tasks. In this way, it is able to protect us from unnecessary stress.
However, our subconscious can also detect, as well as warn us, of any threats to our well-being.
For example, in any situation, especially those involving other people, a number of clues are embedded or hidden in their actions, body language, words and emotions which show their real motives and intentions. Our subconscious can also pick up negativity or negative thoughts directed against us, and though our intuition, is able to provide us with subtle warnings in the form of sensations, feelings, impressions, words or even images.
The following guidelines can assist in your ability to develop your intuition for the purpose of developing your own ‘early-warning’ protective system.
• When entering a situation, relax and clear your mind and set your intention to receive intuitive messages
• Open yourself to any subtle bodily sensations, impressions, thoughts or feelings you are experiencing
• Engage your intuition by comparing these feelings to colours, shapes, textures and scents and asking questions. For example, ‘Is this feeling heavy or light?’; ‘What colour does it suggest?’, Is it ‘round’ and ‘smooth’ or ‘rough’ and ‘spiky’?, ‘Does this give me the feeling of ‘hard’ or ‘fluffy’?’ ‘What does it smell like?’ (fresh and sweet, or dank and dusty?).
• Wait for intuitive answers to all these questions
This kind of symbolic association sounds a little weird but if you apply the principles correctly, your intuition can provide you with very detailed information on the threat that your subconscious is detecting.
For example, your intuition may have compared the situation to the colour ‘grey’, a ‘spiky’ shape, a ‘hard’ texture and a ‘dusty’ smell. All that now remains is now to interpret these associations in terms of your own past experiences. For example, ‘grey’ could suggest a depressing situation (grey clouds), one which could also be dangerous (spiky -spikes are dangerous), difficult to manage (hard -a hard object is usually heavy and not easy to work with) and could be related to old unresolved issues (dusty-as in a neglected house full of memories).
In other words, the intuitive message from your subconscious is that you are in a situation that is depressing, could be dangerous to your physical, emotional or psychological health, would be difficult to resolve and has arisen due to something in your past.
By combining your intuition with your natural subconscious defences in this way, you are able to create a protective early-warning system.
Jimmy Henderson is a metaphysical teacher and the author of a number of books and articles on self-development. His books ‘Multi-Dimensional Thinking’ (2007) and ‘Multi-dimensional Perception’ (2010) are available on Amazon.com and can also be ordered via his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com
He is currently completing his Masters degree in Cognitive Psychology.
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