The Law of Habit Forming
Written by Jerry on February 24, 2010 – 9:02 am -
by Ralph Waldo Trine
Have we it within our power to determine at all times what types of habits shall take form in our lives? In other words, is habit-forming, character-building, a matter of mere chance, or have we it within our own control? We have, entirely and absolutely.
For there is a simple, natural, and thoroughly scientific method that all should know. A method whereby old, undesirable, earth-binding habits can be broken, and new, desirable, heaven-lifting habits can be acquired, — a method whereby life in part or in its totality can be changed, provided one is sufficiently in earnest to know, and, knowing it, to apply the law.
Thought is the force underlying all. And what do we mean by this? Simply this: Your every act — every conscious act — is preceded by a thought. Your dominating thoughts determine your dominating actions. The acts repeated crystallize themselves into the habit. The aggregate of your habits is your character. Whatever, then, you would have your acts, you must look well to the character of the thought you entertain. Whatever act you would not do, –habit you would not acquire you must look well to it that you do not entertain the type of thought that will give birth to this act, this habit . It is a simple psychological law that any type of thought, if entertained for a sufficient length of time, will, by and by, reach the motor tracks of the brain, and finally burst forth into action. Murder can be and many times is committed in this way, the same as all undesirable things are done. On the other hand, the greatest powers are grown, the most God-like characteristics are engendered, the most heroic acts are performed in the same way.
The thing clearly to understand is this: That the thought is always parent to the act. Now, we have it entirely in our own hands to determine exactly what thoughts we entertain. In the realm of our own minds we have absolute control, or we should have, and if at any time we have not, then there is a method by which we can gain control, and in the realm of the mind become thorough masters.
Here let us refer to that law of the mind which is the same as is the law in connection with the reflex nerve system of the body, the law which says that whenever one does a certain thing in a certain way it is easier to do the same thing in the same way the next time, and still easier the next, and the next, and the next, until in time it comes to pass that no effort is required, or no effort worth speaking of; but on the contrary, to do the opposite would require the effort. The mind carries with it the power that perpetuates its own type of thought, the same as the body carries with it through the reflex nerve system the power which perpetuates and makes continually easier its own particular acts. Thus a simple effort to control one’s thoughts, a simple setting about it, even if at first failure is the result, and even if for a time failure seems to be about the only result, will in time, sooner or later, bring him to the point of easy, full, and complete control.
Each one, then, can grow the power of determining, controlling his thought, the power of determining what types of thought he shall and what types he shall not entertain. For let us never part in mind with this fact, that every earnest effort along any line makes the end aimed at just a little easier for each succeeding effort, even if, as has been said, apparent failure is the result of the earlier efforts. This is a case where even failure is success, for the failure is not in the effort, and every earnest effort adds an increment of power that will eventually accomplish the end aimed at.
(from: Character-Building Thought Power)
Never Stop Exploring Life!
Jerry L Saunders, RM
Tags: Absolute Control, Aggregate, Brain, Character Building, Conscious Act, Earth, god, Habit, Heaven, Heroic Acts, Length Of Time, Nbsp, Psychological Law, Ralph Waldo, Scientific Method, Totality
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The Law of Habit Forming
Written by Jerry on February 3, 2010 – 4:02 am -
by Ralph Waldo Trine
Have we it within our power to determine at all times what types of habits shall take form in our lives? In other words, is habit-forming, character-building, a matter of mere chance, or have we it within our own control? We have, entirely and absolutely.
For there is a simple, natural, and thoroughly scientific method that all should know. A method whereby old, undesirable, earth-binding habits can be broken, and new, desirable, heaven-lifting habits can be acquired, — a method whereby life in part or in its totality can be changed, provided one is sufficiently in earnest to know, and, knowing it, to apply the law.
Thought is the force underlying all. And what do we mean by this? Simply this: Your every act — every conscious act — is preceded by a thought. Your dominating thoughts determine your dominating actions. The acts repeated crystallize themselves into the habit. The aggregate of your habits is your character. Whatever, then, you would have your acts, you must look well to the character of the thought you entertain. Whatever act you would not do, –habit you would not acquire you must look well to it that you do not entertain the type of thought that will give birth to this act, this habit . It is a simple psychological law that any type of thought, if entertained for a sufficient length of time, will, by and by, reach the motor tracks of the brain, and finally burst forth into action. Murder can be and many times is committed in this way, the same as all undesirable things are done. On the other hand, the greatest powers are grown, the most God-like characteristics are engendered, the most heroic acts are performed in the same way.
The thing clearly to understand is this: That the thought is always parent to the act. Now, we have it entirely in our own hands to determine exactly what thoughts we entertain. In the realm of our own minds we have absolute control, or we should have, and if at any time we have not, then there is a method by which we can gain control, and in the realm of the mind become thorough masters. Read more »
Tags: Absolute Control, Aggregate, Brain, Character Building, Conscious Act, Earth, god, Habit, Heaven, Heroic Acts, Length Of Time, Nbsp, Psychological Law, Ralph Waldo, Scientific Method, Totality
Posted in Laws of Attraction | No Comments »
CAUSING THE BEST TO HAPPEN
Written by Jerry on December 16, 2009 – 2:03 am -
by Christian D Larson
A certain phase of modern optimism has fallen into the habit of saying that everything is for the best. Whatever comes or not, according to this idea, be it good or otherwise, the mind is consoled with the belief that it is all for the best. And although there is a pleasing side to this belief still the final result of it is not desirable. To live in the belief that anything is for the best is to get into the habit of becoming content with anything; and to become content with anything is to cease practically all efforts toward the attainment of the higher and the greater. Such an attitude will also cause the mind to admit everything that may enter its world, no matter how inferior it may be.
A great many people, however, think that if we live in the convictions that all is for the best, all things will work themselves out for the best, and there is some truth in this. But things will not work themselves out for the best unless we cause them to do their best; and before things will do their best we must do our best. But the doing of one’s best requires more than a mere statement that all is for the best. No person is doing his best unless he is giving his entire life to the very highest goal that he can possibly imagine. And no person can cause things to do their best unless his desire for the best is so immensely strong that all things are drawn into the irresistible life current of that desire. The mere passive belief about all being for the best is powerless in causing things to work for the best. And besides, to think that all is now for the best is to blind the mind so that it cannot see the better.
The rising mind sees greater things in the upper regions of the mental world, and must therefore realize that things as they are in the present are not the best, for they all can even now be made much better. The ideals of the present should be realized in the present; at least we should grow constantly in that realization; but the fact that we have failed to get what we want does not prove that it is best for us not to have it. It usually proves that we are incompetent, or that we have been negligent and indifferent, or that we have permitted ourselves to drift with the uncertainties of things. Had we lived more wisely in the past and taken advantage of the opportunities that the past presented, we should not have to wait now for opportunities to do now, what we think we should have the privilege to do. It is not for the best that any good thing should be deferred if we are ready to appreciate it in the present. It is not for the best that anyone who desires the greater should have to wait for oppor- tunities to attain the greater. If he has to wait, his own past negligence is usually to blame. How- ever, there must be no regrets. To weep over past failures is to waste those very energies that are required in the promotion of our present attainments. Read more »
Tags: Attainment, Attitude, Belief That, Christian D Larson, Convictions, Current, Desire, Final Result, Habit, Optimism, Realization, Truth, Upper Regions
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What Is Self Hypnosis? Part 1
Written by Jerry on October 15, 2009 – 8:52 pm -
What Is Self Hypnosis?
There are several types of hypnosis – there is stage hypnosis, which is done in front of an audience for entertainment purposes, there is hypnotherapy, which is done by a hypnotist on a patient in order to help them deal with a problem or to improve themselves, and there is self hypnosis, which allows the patient to, in a way, self treat, and hypnotize themselves to reach their goals.
Self hypnosis for therapy is very different from stage hypnosis, which is form of entertainment and is often not true hypnosis, as volunteers are also feeling pressure to play along.
Self hypnosis is simply presenting new ideas and words to your brain, while in a receptive state, in order to help you achieve a goal or change a habit. This is different from meditation, because you have a specific goal in mind. Brain scans have shown that a person’s brain activity changes when in a hypnotic state.
In hypnosis, people remain fully aware of the world around them and are simply opening their subconscious mind up to become more receptive to a new idea or thought. This thought or "prescription" will stay in the subject’s subconscious mind, making them more likely to reach their goals.
Hypnosis is based on the idea that our conscious mind and our subconscious mind are not always working very well together, and by using hypnosis, we can realign our subconscious thinking with what our conscious mind wants. We can use this to improve ourselves in many ways.
What Can You Use Self Hypnosis For?
Basically anything that can be achieved by changing your attitude or habits can be changed with hypnosis. Common goals include quitting smoking and weight loss; although it can be used to help you do better at work and get better grades at school.
Hypnotherapy also has a variety of uses in helping patients deal with fears or low self esteem.
Here’s a short list of what you might use hypnosis for:
do better at work or school
lowering blood pressure
losing weight
improve your memory and/or concentration
quit smoking
raise your self confidence and self esteem
overcome fears
improve sports performance
learn a foreign language
People commonly use hypnosis as a form of therapy, to achieve their goals or work through their problems or fears, such as the fear of heights or fear of public speaking. While this can be done without hypnosis, hypnosis can make the job easier for you by removing negative thoughts and attitudes.
Hypnosis is also a common method to help people with insomnia. Hypnosis cannot replace sleep; it can only make it easier to fall asleep, and maybe improve the quality of sleep.
Hypnosis helps you to relax and calm your mind and your body into a relaxed alpha state. Then you can allow yourself to drift deeper into a theta sleep state. Since insomnia is a common problem in our fast paced world, learning Self Hypnosis can be a great way to re-educate your mind and body to rest without using drugs that leave you "hung over" and become addictive.
Common Concerns About Self Hypnosis
Many people have scary notions about hypnosis. Hypnosis is often seen as a method of mind control, especially if you have seen a stage hypnotist act or one too many B rated horror movies.
For people who are concerned with somebody else controlling their minds, self hypnosis may be a sound choice, because YOU remain in complete control of everything that happens. For others, it may be easier and more comfortable to choose a professional hypnotherapist, at least, in the beginning to teach you the basics of getting into a receptive state and giving your mind suggestions.
During hypnosis, you will remain completely aware of everything around you. When you leave the hypnotic state, you will remember everything that happened during the session. The exception to this is if you are using Self Hypnosis to fall asleep.
You need to be more receptive, in order for hypnosis to work best.
However, another concern people have is that while they are hypnotized, they are more vulnerable and receptive to negative suggestions. While you are hypnotized, you ARE more receptive to suggestions and to words. However, your conscious mind is still aware of what is going on, so you will not act on a crazy suggestion.
In other words, a hypnotist could not make the Dalai Lama go out and assassinate the president of the US. It just doesn’t work that way.
A common fear is that a person who is self hypnotized will not be able to wake up. But during hypnosis, you are still conscious and aware.
You can simply instruct yourself to wake, and you will. If you are still concerned that you will forget to tell yourself to wake up, you need to remember that even if you don’t tell yourself to wake up when you take a nap, you still do naturally wake up. Also, you will eventually become hungry, thirsty or tired. So even if you could forget to wake yourself up, your body would simply do it for you naturally.
Stay tuned for Part 2 where we’ll cover: How Self Hypnosis works, How to choose effective suggestions, Self Hypnosis compared to hypnosis by another person, a great low cost hypnosis report and a great resource for the absolute best audios you can find to for Self Hypnosis.
Never Stop Exploring Life!
Jerry L Saunders, RM
Tags: Activity Changes, Brain Activity, Brain Scans, Conscious Mind, Entertainment Purposes, Fears, Goal In Mind, Habit, Hypnosis Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Hypnotic State, Hypnotist, Low Self Esteem, Meditation, Quitting Smoking, Receptive State, Self Hypnosis, Stage Hypnosis, Subconscious Mind, Volunteers
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Meditation Timers
Written by Jerry on September 3, 2009 – 8:25 pm -The interesting part of meditation is that when the habit of meditation becomes a part of you, the time you allotted for it goes a flash.
You don’t want to mess up your schedule by meditating too long and you also don’t want to cheat yourself by not meditating long enough. So what’s the solution?
A meditation timer.
Meditation timers don’t need to be fancy but they do need to bring you back into your "everyday world" gently. This rules out many countdown timers like kitchen timers.
Some meditation CD’s solve the problem using a recorded wake up cycle at the end of the meditation – problem solved.
But what if you want to meditate in silence? Here are a few ideas:
If you are going to meditate in the same room as your computer, here’s a cool tool. It’s a free program called "Cool Timer." You can learn to use it in about 2 minutes. I suggest have it play your sound file because the built in sounds are a little harsh. It’s one of my favorites and you can get it HERE.
If you know how to use audio editing programs like Audacity, it can be as simple as creating a blank recording and inserting sounds gradually increasing in volume at the end of your meditation. And Audacity is free.
Or you can download free ones HERE in 15,20, 30, 40, 45 and 60 minutes lengths.
But, if have a little money to spend and want a professional timer, here are a couple places that have some good ones starting at about $65.
There is even an application to use your iPhone for a meditation timer for $1.99. You can check it out HERE.
There are many inexpensive or free solutions availible with just a few minutes research.
However, the most important consideration in choosing a meditation timer should be that it brings your focus back gently and your own personal preference.
Never Stop Exploring Life!
Jerry L Saunders, RM
Tags: 60 Minutes, Audacity, Audio Editing Programs, Cool Timer, Countdown Timers, Couple Places, Everyday World, Few Minutes, Free Ones, Free Solutions, Habit, Iphone, Jerry L, Kitchen Timers, Meditation Cd, Nbsp, One Of My Favorites, Personal Preference, Saunders, Silence
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