Effective parenting (small children)

      Effective parenting

By Jimmy Henderson MA (psychology) CHRP

There appears to be some confusion amongst modern parents as to exactly what is the most suitable approach to parenting, as well as how to deal with children who misbehave. I have noticed that there are many new fads with catch phrases such as ‘allow them to be themselves’ or ‘express their personalities’ and so on. What is interesting is that these statements have actually no foundation in research into child-development, in fact, just the opposite. For example, children are still in the process of developing their personalities up until the age of about eight, and when young, actually require firm and consistent discipline from both parents (or partners), with clear guidelines as to what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. Most importantly, they should certainly never be simply left to their own devices. In fact, research has shown that by allowing small children total freedom, we can actually allow insecurities and confusion to enter and become part of their developing personalities.

Unfortunately, small children are also sometimes indulged by parents or caregivers in an attempt to secure their co-operation. Whilst it is important to love and bond with children and spend as much time with them as possible, re-assuring, hugging and holding them and seeing to their needs, they also need to learn to respect their parents. In fact, it is often this lack of respect that leads to confrontations later on when children grow up to become teenagers. I always told my own children that we can be ‘friends’ when they are grown up and able to make their own decisions and take responsibility for their own lives, but when they were still young I insisted that they need to respect the fact that I was the parent and would exercise my responsibility as such.

Respect should be instilled in children from a very early age, and is earned by a parent or caregiver having a set of definite limits and rules concerning acceptable behaviour and not being afraid to punish if these rules are transgressed. In fact, research has shown that children feel more secure if there are clear rules in a household and they are not left floundering in uncertainty as to what is required of them.  

This respect, and the trust of children, is also earned by providing the child with a good example of how adults should behave, with parents or caregivers demonstrating love and integrity in their behaviour towards each other. In this regard, we know from research that problems between parents or partners do impact severely on children, especially when they are young and impressionable. It is unfortunately true that incidents such as arguments and conflict in the home can make a small child very anxious, and major events such as divorce or separation from role models such as the father-figure, can result in long-term problems.

Some children can overcome difficult circumstances and still do fairly well, but I do not believe that any child will be left untouched by traumatic circumstances at home. As parents or caregivers, great care needs to be taken as regards our behaviour in the home and to ensure that we always provide a positive and loving example to our children. It is also necessary to instill spiritual or moral values in children at an early age, which will support them during their later years.

Finally, if it is seen early on that a child is experiencing developmental or learning problems either at school or at home, it should not be ignored, or even worse still, denied, but acknowledged and addressed immediately by means of referral to a qualified person. The problem will not simply go away and will only become worse once the child reaches adolescence and becomes a teenager, as a whole series of new factors now come into play.

                                                      

Adapted from ‘A guide to Effective parenting’ by Jimmy Henderson (e-book), available from Amazon.com 

http://www.amazon.com/Effective-Parenting-Improve-essential-skills-ebook/dp/B00JT9A0I0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1442248700&sr=8-4&keywords=jimmy+henderson

Depression-the path to recovery

                       

Depression-the path to recovery 

Jimmy Henderson (MA Psychology) FRC

‘As we awaken, shall we see more of the light that always is’

J. Henderson

The process of healing after depression can take many years. However, in my own experience, its shadow never seems to fully leave our presence.

However, I personally believe that it can be managed with effort, commitment and the successful completion of certain important tasks.  

The first of these tasks is be to make a most important decision, which is to accept responsibility for our own lives and actions, and be willing to consciously process this challenge that life has presented to us. This is not easy, and many agonising weeks and months can be spent mulling over this decision. However, eventually we may come to understand that human development requires that we remain open to learning experiences and not shut down our lives and thinking when things get tough.

Second, it is important to take stock, evaluate our situation, and develop new coping methods which will help us to better manage the challenges and negative emotions that usually accompany depression. During this period we should make the time for emotional healing, as well as conscious attempts to extricate ourselves from the bonds of self-doubt, fear and negative thoughts associated with the events and situations that have led to depression. We can do this either with the help of professional therapists, or by means of self-help healing techniques. 

One of the most effective methods is simply to set new boundaries and learn to say ‘No’ when it comes to demands on our time and energy. Often depression results from 'burnout' as a result of not having these boundaries in our lives. 

A more radical approach involve simply eliminating the stressful situation(s) from our lives altogether, but this may necessitate a change in household circumstances, career or lifestyle. In my own case, I found it necessary to remove myself from the work-setting entirely and embark on a completely new path. This was at a cost to my financial security, but was the course of action which offered the greatest opportunities for balance and peace of mind.

During this time of inner battle, we will still have days when the 'shadows' of depression will continue to challenge us, and may even become embodied in negative or self-destructive thoughts such as ‘I am not coping’, ‘I am a failure’ or ‘no one really cares for me’. However, it is possible to confront these thoughts with positive self-affirmations and take back our power. For example, by continually repeating to ourselves, ‘I am not a failure, I have a wonderful family and am a good father /mother’; or, ‘It is not true that I cannot cope, I have accomplished many things in my life’; or, ‘It is not true that no-one cares for me, I have the support of my family and many good friends’, the negativity can be dispelled. 

Whatever method we use, our desired outcome is that moment of divine forgiveness or ‘self-forgiveness’, that thought and action which initiates a break with the past and ushers in a new beginning.  

During these difficult times we could also be burdened with powerful, unpleasant emotions such as anger or rage, or even negative feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A useful way of dealing with these is to examine their costs to our present peace of mind, health, careers and relationships, and to make a conscious decision to release them. 

It may sound strange to talk of a ‘payback’ by our holding onto such self-destructive emotions, However, if the matter is examined carefully, the power they have brought to our situation will become clearer, and it is this power that sustains them. For example, anger often provides us with the energy to get through these difficult situations, to re-assert ourselves, and to try to reclaim our power. However, this anger and resentment can, over time, enter our personalities and change them for the worse, turning us into unpleasant and resentful people who may cause unnecessarily hurt to others. In addition to this, repressed feelings of intense anger and resentment can actually negatively affect our health.

Likewise, withdrawing into ourselves as the result of intense feelings of hopelessness and despair, can provide us with the time and space to heal, allow us to avoid constantly having the face the issue, and, for a while at least, may rally people to support us. However, once again, the insidious long-term effects of this response is that we will eventually push people away, cripple our relationships, social lives and possibilities for career advancement, and we may have difficulty in ever finding enjoyment and happiness again.

In other words, we always have to weigh the hidden ‘costs’ against the ‘payback’ received by holding onto these emotions, until we can eventually arrive at a decision that the benefits are simply not worth the price that we are paying, and make a conscious decision to release them. This will place us on the path to recovery. 

In order to empower ourselves and return mastery and control to our lives, there are also a number of other methods we can apply. For instance, prayer and meditation have been proven to assist in restoring balance and control to a troubled mind. Meditational exercises are contained in one of my other publications, ‘Multi-Dimensional thinking’ (2007).

Another useful practice is to strive to keep our minds relatively clear and at peace at all times by consciously ‘choosing’ our thoughts and feelings. In other words, allowing unwanted thoughts and emotions to pass through our minds by simply refusing to ‘dwell’ on them. 

The daily use of positive affirmations will be useful in this case: 

For example:

‘I choose to release these unpleasant thoughts and emotions’.

‘I am simply not prepared to fill my mind with these thoughts or emotions’.

‘I simply do not wish to upset myself with this feeling or issue’

‘I cannot be bothered with this matter at the moment’.

‘I need to focus all my attention on my immediate concerns’.

The idea is to try to cultivate a sort of philosophical ‘detachment’ from stressful matters which do not really concern us, and only those thoughts and feelings that are of immediate importance, should receive our focus and attention. This may sound cold and unfeeling, but we are still free to express altruistic emotions such as love and compassion.

  

Another empowerment strategy would involve rebuilding our shattered self-image and self-esteem. A major life-changing experience such as death of a partner or child, the end of a career, a divorce or some other traumatic event can easily lead us into depression. This path is often lonely, and our recovery and return to mastery will require an inner strength based on a new knowledge of ‘who’ and ‘what ‘we really are, and our true purpose in this life, in order to overcome the many challenges that may arise. 

This recovery should include a period of ‘time-out’ for reading, relaxing, self-introspection and a consideration of the important issues just mentioned. The idea is to find the space and time to rebuild our shattered sense of self-confidence and re-new that belief in ourselves which will enable us to transcend this experience.

Simple changes in our behaviour can also assist with recovery. For example, it is important to stay active by getting involved with a new hobby or social groups. Creative and rewarding activities such as art, writing and volunteer work will also prove beneficial to our state of mind and can provide us with a new sense of purpose.

At the same time we should shift our focus from our problems to our physical and emotional wellness, as our health can be severely affected by stress and depression. Addressing this may require changes to our eating habits, exercise routines and lifestyles. However, a good balanced diet and exercise helps to reduce stress and will certainly make us feel better.

Finally, it will be important to make some new decisions and set realistic goals for our futures using our new hard-won wisdom and perspective on life. This would be the time to finally release the blockages in our minds and reconnect with our higher or authentic selves through meditation or prayer. This is the final ‘letting go’ of the entanglements which are blocking the light of the Soul. This reintegration of the inner and outer self brings with it an increased awareness and understanding of the real process of life, its challenges as well as its opportunities, and results in a greater capacity for independent thinking, insight, compassion, tolerance and unconditional love.

 Adapted from the e-book 'Living on the Edge of Darkness'  by Jimmy Henderson 

Jimmy is a cognitive researcher and metaphysician who is the published author of a number of books on the power of the mind. His books are available through his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com 

What is truly real in this world?

                                   What is truly real?

‘I told you about strawberry fields, the place where nothing is real.’ (The Beatles)

In the light of all that had been considered, a question that arose frequently during my times of consideration was; ‘What can be considered as truly real in this world of shadows and illusion? 

Being ‘real’ normally means that something actually exists, as opposed to being an illusion, which is a situation in which we believe we are seeing or experiencing something, but it really has no existence outside of our minds or thoughts.

   This has been an important question throughout the ages. In fact, many philosophers have already asked how we can ever know that what we are now experiencing is not simply a dream or illusion. In fact, psychological research does suggest that our subconscious minds have difficulty distinguishing between what is imaginary and what is real. Currently, science accepts only that which can be physically examined and measured as real. However, even here we can be deceived. Current technology involving computer-generated images and photo-shopping have proven that we can no longer base our judgments only on what we see in the media.

Truth and reality are very important for our sense of meaning in life. We all need something true, real and unchanging to use as a measure by which we plot our lives. And when our sense of reality is shaken by unfathomable events in our lives, the consequences can be devastating.  

‘We think with our past and see through our pain. We are less than objective.’ ‘We are born with the original sin of our conceptual limitations and errors of thought. Our ideas therefore, will likewise be spawned in limitation and subject to error.’

J. Henderson

Much of the blame can be laid at the door of our own minds and thinking. We cling to belief systems which may be outdated, or unable to really meet our emotional and spiritual needs, out of fear of the unknown.  We presently see only that which we wish to see, and understand only that which fits our present belief-system. Our brains and minds are simply not sufficiently evolved to view the grander multi-dimensional picture of reality, or to see the interconnections and relationships that exist at deeper levels of understanding.  

In order to know the full truth, we would have to be able to view the entire picture, including all possible scenarios, simultaneously, clearly and objectively. However, this is only an ideal, as, by living in this shadow-world, there is always the potential for ignorance, limitation and error. Any certainty we now experience is actually only our own view of the situation, producing at best, that which can only be described as a ‘personal truth’. So we have to be content in working only with scattered pieces of the puzzle of life. 

So how does this limited perspective actually come about? During our lives we quickly learn ways of adapting to, or of coping with, different social situations by behaving (and even thinking) in a certain manner which is considered ‘socially acceptable’. This is called ‘social conditioning’. We also adapt to the stress of life by learning coping mechanisms, certain attitudes, opinions or patterns of behaviour which initially appear to help us manage better, but may later be seen to be quite inappropriate and even self-destructive. As result we become even more alienated from our authentic selves.

Powerful emotions such as fear and other subtle forms of manipulation, influence the hearts and minds of masses of people who should otherwise be thinking for themselves, and have the effect of closing our minds to any new ideas which may inspire us to move beyond our conditioning and uncover new and greater vistas of truth and understanding. We are often afraid to challenge or release old and familiar ideas with which we are comfortable, even if these views are misguided, outdated, ineffective, and serve only to limit our thinking and actions.

The problem here is simple. Using a metaphor of light and darkness, we can only see daylight insofar as we are willing to draw back the curtains. This means that we will only realise higher levels of truth and reality when we are able to clear all personal issues, baggage and limited perspectives from our minds.

This does not sound very encouraging when we are actually trying to extract some meaning out of difficult life-experiences, but I suppose that accepting the idea of everyone being entitled to their own perspectives and personal truths will at least relieve us of the burden of having to judge others, and could open the door for greater tolerance and compassion. 

Adapted from the e-book 'Living on the Edge of Darkness'  by Jimmy Henderson 

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Edge-Darkness-Jimmy-Henderson-ebook/dp/B00L73YJG0/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437170591&sr=1-13&keywords=jimmy+henderson

Jimmy is a cognitive researcher and metaphysician who is the published author of a number of books on the power of the mind. His books are available through his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com 

Concepts of God

Concepts of God 

By Jimmy Henderson (MA Psychology) FRC

We only need to look around us at the many different religions and sects to understand that people experience and understand spirituality in different ways. Most of us have adopted our beliefs from our parents, and in this way, have been inducted into a religion which is often prescribed by our background, society and culture.

I personally believe that these beliefs are all useful as long as they provide us with the opportunities, guidance and direction with which to arrive at a workable and fulfilling spiritual experience which we can call our own. Unfortunately, many persons remain within a belief system that does not actually meet their spiritual needs, out of fear or convention. Some of these systems can be inflexible and closed to new ideas and can become fertile breeding grounds for the shadows of delusion or self-righteousness.

However, a sudden traumatic experience which produces shock, pain and isolation can shatter such rigid frameworks, opening us to a broader understanding of spirituality which makes more sense. For instance, through my own questioning, I eventually came to believe that the many concepts of God which exist in the world today are actually describing the same spiritual reality, but are merely molded differently by specific cultures, historical periods and the personal interpretations of religious leaders. For example, during ancient times when people were ruled by fearful, angry and vengeful monarchs, their view of God was likewise one of a wrathful, vengeful and cruel king. However, in line with our present moral advancement, those who have experienced love in their hearts, have now come to understand the Father to be benevolent and loving.

We therefore need to acknowledge the role that our own minds play in our perception and understanding, and remain open to a more inclusive approach to spirituality. What we have at this time are only ‘peepholes’ into the universal fabric of reality, and ultimately, we also need to understand that spirituality is both a personal and a universal experience and cannot be confined by man’s thinking to any specific religion or belief system.

I will make use of an analogy to explain this great truth. If I give a very large puzzle to a group of small children, it is unlikely, due to their lack of maturity, experience and reasoning abilities, that the puzzle will ever be completed. However, if I split up the puzzle into much smaller sections and give each child a portion to complete on his or her own, be it a corner, a border or a certain patch of colour, each will most likely be successful in correctly assembling this small piece, and the completed pieces can then be grouped together and the whole puzzle will take form.

If we apply this analogy to the paradox of conflicting religious beliefs, it suggests that, even within the completed sections there are still parts missing, pieces of the puzzle that could enable the different groups to see their interdependence and relationship to each other. These missing pieces give rise to the confusion and contradictions that we see in religion today. Once we accept this, it will be easier to be more tolerant of the beliefs of others. 

Adapted from the e-book 'Living on the Edge of Darkness'  by Jimmy Henderson 

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Edge-Darkness-Jimmy-Henderson-ebook/dp/B00L73YJG0/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437170591&sr=1-13&keywords=jimmy+henderson

Jimmy is a cognitive researcher and metaphysician who is the published author of a number of books on the power of the mind. His books are available through his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com or directly from him at jimmy@jimmyhendersonbooks.com 

Who are we really?

Who are we really?
By Jimmy Henderson (MA psychology), FRC

‘My true consciousness is like the wild deer, full of life, vitality, purity and perfection, but as it passes once again into the forest of shadows, it is swallowed up by the darkness and the world of forms.’

J. Henderson

An important question that we should all ask ourselves, is who we really are.  When we look in the mirror we see a body. But is this really ‘us’ in the true sense of the word?

The most common scientific belief is that we are only physical organisms and that the human mind is only a ‘phenomenon’ brought about by the activity of the brain. It is true that that which we see and experience is our body, and it is very easy to accept that this is who we are. However, this presents a difficulty (which has still not been satisfactorily resolved), in understanding how the brain, which is a physical neurological structure, can produce an inner experience in the form of self-awareness, or a level of consciousness which even our most sophisticated technology is unable to reproduce.

The issue becomes easier to explain if we accept the possibility of a higher level of consciousness from which our present self-awareness originates, a conscious state which is merely being stepped down or mediated by our neural structures. There are obviously also philosophical problems associated with this idea, such as how a non-material substance (consciousness) can be taken up and transmuted by the brain structures. However, it is clear from everyday life that our physical bodies and (non-material) minds do affect one another, and until our research and technology has evolved sufficiently to fully explain this interaction, the latter view still provides the most practical benefits for our thinking. 

For example, believing in a higher world of mind and consciousness opens the door for a new view of mankind as multi-dimensional beings with an almost unlimited potential, and would explain our almost intuitive belief that we all have a deeper spiritual side to ourselves, a higher or more authentic ‘self’ from which our present ethics, morality and higher mental faculties are derived, that which, in religious terms, could be described as the ‘soul’.  

However, if we are intimately connected to a more perfect self or soul, how do we explain the present state of mankind, the greed, the thirst for power and the violent, destructive force of human actions? When contemplating this question of the nature of my true being, I was reminded of the analogy of the caterpillar and the butterfly.

In Nature insects often go through a larval stage, engage in a struggle for survival and later emerge from their chrysalis having evolved into adults. In the larval stage, the insect is very primitive and destructive, devouring all in its path. Only later, as it matures and the outer casing falls away, does the ‘inner being’ emerge, which is more perfect.

   

I was able to relate this analogy to ourselves, in that, in our casing of humanity, we also struggle to learn and grow. Like the insect larva, the ego of the undeveloped human being can also be very destructive, selfishly using and devouring everything in its efforts to meet its most basic needs. However, in line with the caterpillar analogy, we will also one day evolve to become a new being, full of light and power.

The limitations of our physical bodies and our imperfect minds suggest that we are still in the early stages of this process, and busy with the struggle that is necessary when the butterfly leaves its chrysalis and strengthens its wings in order to fly. In our own lives, this struggle translates into many painful and life-changing events, but also includes times which bring joy, happiness and success.

Sometimes we feel lost in a world which, on the surface at least, appears to be spinning out of control. However, if we look more carefully and deeply, we may see that, on a broader level, the Universe is still unfolding as it should, even if we are not able to understand the entire process at present. Being active participants and integral players in this ongoing drama, it is extremely difficult for us to step ‘outside of the box’ and find the universal perspective that is needed.

So how can we explain this idea of a more authentic (or higher) self in the light of our present human limitations and propensity for error? Many ancient texts, including religious scriptures, suggest that we have ‘devolved’ (or fallen) from a superior race of Man, far more perfect than today, one which was ‘of one mind ‘with God and part of the original plan of divine self-expression. This is discussed in more modern terms by the author Soozi Holbeche in her book, Changes (1997), in which she explains that we need to understand that we are actually spiritual beings having a human experience and not vice versa.

In other words, at the centre of our beings we are still that original perfect creation, but due to a separation from our true or authentic selves, we are now clothed in our present (human) form with an accompanying loss of consciousness and understanding. 

Adapted from the e-book 'Living on the Edge of Darkness'  by Jimmy Henderson 

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Edge-Darkness-Jimmy-Henderson-ebook/dp/B00L73YJG0/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437170591&sr=1-13&keywords=jimmy+henderson

Jimmy is a cognitive researcher and metaphysician who is the published author of a number of books on the power of the mind. His books are available through his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com or directly from him at jimmy@jimmyhendersonbooks.com 

Synesthesia-translating sensations and feelings into images

Translating sensations and feelings into images 
By Jimmy Henderson (MA psychology, FRC)

Many inner psychic experiences relate to the ability to translate impressions, sensations and feelings into colours, forms and images in our minds. This is not supernatural, or the stuff of fairy-tales. Look up ‘synesthesia’ in any good encyclopedia and you will see that this skill exists, although it is usually not well-known outside of metaphysical circles. 

Due to the electro-chemical nature of our nervous system, our bodies are surrounded by an envelope which is extremely sensitive, much like the electromagnetic atmosphere of the Earth. As we know, disturbances in this atmosphere, such as that caused by sun-spots, can affect the conditions on the planet. In a like manner, subtle outside influences are able to bring about sensations, sense-impressions and ‘feelings’ in our bodies, which, by means of synesthesia, can be translated into images.

I am sure that many of you have experienced a sense of danger or discomfort in the past. Imagine this feeling giving rise to impressions of ‘spikiness’, or the colour red, or a vision of thorns flashing briefly in your mind. Similarly, consider the sensation of comfort or safety spontaneously producing a brief image of a ‘safe’ colour such as blue, or even objects such as ‘bubbles’ or ‘cotton puffs’. You will see that these images can all be symbolically associated with their particular feelings, and have simply been generated by your subconscious mind in response to your experience. 

As mentioned before, the actual images you see in response to the feelings are personal, shaped by your own background, beliefs and views of the world. For example, if you were bitten by a dog as a child, you may associate danger with a nasty-looking dog, and this image could flash into your mind if you experience a sensation or feeling of danger.

Obviously being able to automatically translate impressions and feelings into images requires some training and your mind will have to be in a very relaxed state and sensitized to pick up the subtle cues, but it is possible during meditation or other altered states. 

With practice, this skill can be further developed to the point where sensations and feelings can produce images in your minds which superimpose themselves on your normal consciousness (something like a daydream), and become even more complex, resembling humanlike figures.

Understanding that energies outside of ourselves can produce these sensations and feelings,and that these can be translated into images, explains the psychic visions that are often seen during meditations. 

Jimmy Henderson is a cognitive scientist and metaphysician and the published author of a number of books and e-books on inner self-development. His books can be viewed and purchased from his website, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords. 
www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jimmy+henderson

Breaking down psychological barriers to advancement

Breaking down the barriers

A very effective method of challenging and breaking down the psychological barriers preventing us from consciously engaging with higher levels of consciousness is complex imagery (or visualization). In applying this skill we introduce paradoxical experiences to our subconscious minds which are outside of the normal range of the beliefs and the schemas which regulate our perception of reality. When continually confronted in this way, the schemas (which are like preset programmes in our minds), are unable to adapt and are eventually forced to change internally to allow our perception to become more fluid and less-structured. In this way we bypass the control mechanisms and our minds become more open to new and more powerful inner experiences.

Before initiating more complex processes,  we have to find ways of bypassing the protective mechanisms (mental blocks) subconsciously set in place by our ethical, moral or religious convictions. Any inner conflict involving the ‘correctness’ of these procedures would be a stumbling block, and it may be necessary for a period of self-examination or even a ritual to satisfy our ethical requirements. This ritual can take the form of reaffirming our good intentions, making new commitments or introducing certain ‘protocols’ which will satisfy the needs of our (distrustful) subconscious minds. In other words, when moving deeper towards engagement with Spirit and consciousness, we have to unlock a series of psychological ‘gates' in order to gain the full co-operation of our own subconscious minds.

This advanced technique also requires a prior mastery of meditation as well as psycho-interactive forms of imagery, in which spontaneous changes to the enacted scene occur as our subconscious minds become more active participants in the process.

These bizarre scenarios or mental enactments we induce should be designed to harness the power of our subconscious in bringing about growth in specific areas of the mind.

A simple example of such an enactment would be consciously moving oneself through a series of visualised doorways and stairways with the idea (intention) that these are portals to higher realities or levels of reality. If this exercise is correctly initiated, your subconscious mind will respond accordingly, and you will immediately note corresponding changes in your consciousness and perception. 

A more advanced example of such a visualised dramatization could be seeing ourselves as encased in a chrysalis, and requesting our subconscious mind to provide the inner transformation necessary for the unfoldment of a new consciousness (as would be represented by the metaphor of a butterfly emerging from the chrysalis).

Another even more complex example would be the creation of a pseudo-reality involving a complex dramatisation of a visit to a strange planet with zero gravity in which rocks are floating suspended in the air. If we are able to successfully interact with this created scenario, such as by moving the rocks with your mind, or shifting your perception back and forth between this ‘world’ of floating rocks and everyday reality, you will find that eventually the floating rocks will appear to be ‘superimposed’ on the room, and the effect of this experience on your schemas will be even more pronounced. Eventually they will release their hold on your perception and you will enter even deeper states of consciousness.   

The effect of this skill can be even more enhanced by adding other sensory dimensions such as touch (touching and pushing the floating rocks), sounds and even scents to the enactments to increase their depth and multi-dimensional nature.

Best wishes in your training 

Jimmy Henderson is a metaphysician with advanced degrees in psychology and philosophy. He is also a Rosicrucian and a published author of a number of books and e-books on Amazon. com and other online portals. His books can be accessed via the link 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_15?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=jimmy+henderson&sprefix=jimmy+henderson%2Caps%2C598

or his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com