Positive Thinking: Changes You Can Make Now

The plan for presenting/publishing this follow-up to The Psychology of Positive Thinking is to introduce it with a YouTube video and blog and a modest email announcement effort. Following that will be frequent blog postings of the content as the book progresses, until the entire book has been posted. At some point during this process when the manuscript is complete plans are to publish it as an EBook through Kindle.

This book is an updated edition of The Psychology of Positive Thinking to be presented in a new kind of “chapter book” format. It will be available as an EBook; (periodically through Kindle’s promotional program for free.) It is intended as a self-help self-development guide for self-empowerment. The original edition was primarily concerned with consciousness, and how we think with our brain. Here we go further into body, mind and spirit; and see ourselves as the emotional quantum energy beings that we are.

The book presents an updated positive thinking model, incorporating the important additions of emotions, positive energies, and the spirit. It will be presented as a type of “chapter book”, divided into semi-independent small chapter sections dealing with one concept at a time. This will increase understanding, enable us to focus and work on one concept at a time, and simplify our positive changes. It is meant to be experienced, as well as read and understood. There will also be a Companion Blog Site of the Chapters of the book, which will mirror the EBook chapters as they are developed.

The model presentation will lead the reader step by step to the goal of self-empowerment through:
• Quotes from the Scriptures
• Wisdom from ancient cultures: ”qi” energy techniques
• Embedded empowerment commands (NLP technique) to promote positive experiencing for the reader (such as the embedded message “You Can” italicized in the book title.)
• Links to FREE websites of experts with interesting, often motivational explanations of key concepts.
• Supporting evidence from the fields of science, medicine; researched and documented.
• Links to videos on YouTube, TedTalk etc. that are available FREE with cutting edge info on research and technology.
• Links to FREE audios and videos for learning and participating in guided meditations, listening to brainwave entrainment audios and other new self-development technologies.
• Accompanying action step suggestions to help manifest small changes into your reality.

This is intended to be a voyage of self-discovery, and enlightenment of one’s own reality.

New book in Progress, Changes You Can Make Now

Five years ago I published The Psychology of Positive Thinking. It was based on the previous fifty years of research in psychology, the neuro-sciences and NLP. It was about how we think and behave from Newtonian physics point of view that is too materialistic. More recently, cutting edge neuro-science, technology and quantum physics have made discoveries that are changing the way we see ourselves. The physical world, indeed the universe started from a “singularity” of energy exploding outward at the speed of light. As these energies became entangled they coalesced into masses and motion and space, forming the heavens and the earth. This knowledge significantly revises how to Think Positive; the revision will be called The Psychology of Positive Thinking: Changes You Can Make Now.

So while we appear to be material beings living in a material world, we are really made up of these coalesced, entangled masses of energy. The “space” separating us from each other and everything else is simply the illusion created by our ever-expanding universe (energy expanding at the speed of light.) Cutting edge quantum theory is telling us that the energy vibrations that underlie reality take on mass only as a result of being captured when being measured, or observed. Some theories claim that this measurement or observation must also include the involvement of consciousness.

IF THIS IS SO, if the observations on the part of our consciousness do in fact create reality, we are far more responsible for events than we give ourselves credit for. And it behooves us to think positive thoughts: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Stress vs. Flow model of Mind/Body/Spirit

Continuing with Michelle Bersell’s (see previous blog) line of reasoning, if your path is blocked you can make that block part of the path. She says that the “stone on your path is not a stumbling block if you read what is written on it.” When we treat that stone as an obstacle or a stumbling block it is stress which is stemming the flow of the path. That is resistance. When we practice acceptance, and ‘read what is written on the stone’: that is Flow. We move congruently forward on our mission.

When we accept and experience life as Flow we remove the resistance stumbling blocks that are the mass that weighs us down. The body part of our Mind/Body/Spirit slows our mind and chokes our spirit. Just as a ray of light turns to mass when a photon is captured by being measured, as we experience stress and flow we become heavier and lighter accordingly.

Mission Possible

Getting past previous self-doubts and fears clears the way, and makes the discovering and pursuit of your mission possible. Aligning yourself, your passions, all of you in body, mind and spirit congruently with your mission make your Mission Possible. It is like taking your automobile out of “park” (or reverse) and putting it in Drive. In terms of the Energy Flow model we can now move forward on our mission the positive energy of positive emotions.

At times nagging fears or self-doubts may threaten your congruently Positive Flow with their negativity. When this happens, Michelle Bersell shows us an elegant way to re-frame that negative emotion and actually use its energy in a positive direction. Her advice is to “Feel Every Emotion as Love” (F.E.E.L.) 1- You need to recognize the positive intent of your fear (most fears are from childhood where they occurred to keep you safe, but are no longer true) 2- recognize that negative emotion is outdated but has a positive emotion message of love. As you become conscious of this the emotion becomes positive, and empowering. Michelle has a four step process for this she explains on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIfkLvj3E6k&feature=player_embedded .

Whenever a negative emotion threatens, turn it around and make it positive by using Michelle’s neat re-framing technique! Michelle also has a F.E.E.L. training video that she provides to us for FREE here: http://www.michellebersell.com/feel-kit/training1.html . Thank You Michelle!

What is your Mission?

Do you have a direction for your life, a mission? If so you are to be congratulated! Many of us are too caught up in the downstream flow of life as it occurs to pay much mind to where we are going. Others may never have considered having a mission, or felt empowered enough to make the difference that having a mission implies. But it also implies direction, flow, and happiness in pursuit of a worthwhile goal. And it is something unique to you.

Chris and Janet Atwood, co-authors of The Passion Test suggest that if you follow your passions they will lead you to your life’s purpose, your mission. They have a website that is devoted to helping you along "the effortless path to discovering your life purpose:" http://www.thepassiontest.com/TPT/Home/index.cfm . They have a FREE “passion test” and helpful information about discovering and pursuing your mission.

Marci Shimoff, co-author with Jack Canfield on Chicken soup for the Woman’s Soul best selling series has also written Happy for no Reason. She suggests we can look for happiness and love from within ourselves, and bring that to the table. Some YouTube video interviews explain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_V74zL6Fo8 and part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=VXERNViRi9k&NR=1 . Marci offers some FREE coaching/newsletter at: http://www.happyfornoreason.com/Home.asp .

Perhaps we can bring/find our mission to what we are already doing; as Marci suggests. We find happiness and love, important ingredients of Mission, Within. The other ingredient that Marci and the Atwood’s, along with all the great Psychologists and spiritual leaders mentioned the previous posts is service to others. And the Scriptures agree, when we serve others, we serve God.

Purpose-driven Life

What will You Do? This question posed in the previous post is there for each of us to answer in our own individual way. Mostly we don’t pay attention. Or answer it superficially “I’m going to the store” or “I’m going to fix dinner” while on autopilot. Rick Warren, who wrote the all-time#1 best-selling book A Purpose Driven Life writes about a deeper, spiritual answer; the meaning in and for your life. He explains it on a TedTalk here: http://www.ted.com/talks/rick_warren_on_a_life_of_purpose.html . What on earth are you here for and where is your life force leading you; What is your Mission?

Victor Frankl, who was a holocaust survivor, psychotherapist and university professor, wrote about this in his famous book Man’s Search for Meaning: “Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone's task is unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it.” Following is a short TedTalk excerpt of Frankl on this subject: http://www.ted.com/talks/viktor_frankl_youth_in_search_of_meaning.html

In terms of our body/mind/spirit positive energy flow model, mission is critical. Our mission is what we love, really, what we give our life for. It is the God-given positive direction for our life. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi has been studying the peak experiences and Flow of those creatively pursuing their mission in life as he relates in his book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Mihaly finds that flow is greatest when doing something that helps others, to be able to work to our heart’s content on a mission. He relates this in his TedTalk: http://blog.ted.com/2008/10/23/creativity_fulf/ .

So the answer to “What will you do?” may well be found in your mission, or perhaps in finding your mission. And as Mihaly suggests, happiness flows best in the service of others.

Positive Thinking is not enough

Positive Thinking is not enough. The battle is only half won once we clear out the negative emotions; we need to take action steps along our life’s journey. We need to continue on our mission. Tony Robbins points us in this critical direction in his TedTalk: http://www.ted.com/talks/tony_robbins_asks_why_we_do_what_we_do.html . We need to make three action step decisions: 1) What am I going to focus on? 2) What does it mean? 3) What am I going to do? AND WE NEED TO DO IT EVERY MOMENT, IN THE MOMENT.

Given the above, and that we have cleared sufficient blocks to Flow, we need to set, start, or continue our life mission. As Tony suggests, progress is made with action steps, which occurs in the NOW (right now!) Eckhart Tolle, coming from an entirely different direction, would agree- your power is in the now. And in Truth, there is no other time but Now.

What will you do?

Body/Mind/Spirit: Maintaining and Encouraging Flow

Clearing the blocks to positive energy flow, and maintaining the clear path- job #1- opens the energy pathways. Once opened to the positive energy flow the “society” of mind/body/spirit is free to progress. However this is only half the story. Thus far we are kind of “in neutral” without a strong positive direction. By all means we continue to use the techniques on these related issues as they crop up. Also we can call on positive emotions to encourage positive energy flow.

Positive emotions are known to produce physical and mental well-being. Sarah Pressman, assistant professor of psychology at KU and Gallup senior research associate report about a Gallup World Poll study in which researchers analyzed data involving more than 150,000 adults “showing that positive emotions such as happiness, enjoyment are unmistakably linked to better health.”

“Laughter is the best medicine.” We have all heard that; and Norman Cousins credits laughter, along with medical supervision and vitamin C with curing his “incurable” disease. Love is essential for an infant’s well-being, as many studies now show. The child within each of us still needs that love. Even in the absence of someone currently in our life to give or receive love, in our imagination we can give ourselves (and others just as profitably) that love as well as forgiveness and blessings.

There is indeed Power in Positive Thinking.

Clearing remaining subconscious energy blocks

Even after the more obvious sources of stress have been identified and cleared by EFT, NLP or other techniques- there is more to be done to maintain a stress-free state. There may be times when you are uneasy or fearful about a situation but can’t pin down what it is. Odds are there is a subconscious fear lurking within. These free-floating anxieties may be related ghosts of issues dealt with previously, perhaps in slightly different forms.

EFT and NLP case studies often find that new issues appear after the initial issues are cleared. Gary Craig (EFT founder) likens this to “peeling the layers off an onion.” An issue may be cleared up with tapping and a new issue pops up that needs to be dealt with. This may happen repeatedly until enough “layers” are removed and the core issue appears; once the core issue is resolved the block is fully cleared and Flow is re-established.

With Flow established positive energy enables positive thinking, forward progress, and manifestation to take place.

Clearing energy blocks: De-stress anger and resentments

Negative emotions such as anger, resentment and jealousy are potent stress producers, and as capable of blocking Flow as fear and pain. These are negative, aggressive states that likewise (to fear and pain) release the stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol. If you are able to forgive and release your resentment that is best, and the part of you that is God will be pleased. If your resentment keeps you from forgiving you must release that resentment. Try tapping to the tune of “Even though I can’t let go of my anger while trying to forgive [person’s name], I deeply and completely love and accept myself” as the accepting statement (see 2 previous posts.) Follow this with tapping the other eight points, saying “this feeling of anger”, “this resentment” etc. Repeat until you are able to feel forgiveness, or acceptance of the other. This will release that block and positive energy will Flow.

NLP can also be used to take the “sting” out of fears and resentments. [See previous post.] Re-Frame the fear or anger by making a mental picture of the event. Make it in black and white, and very small to reduce the emotional impact you feel. Now take the mental picture and put it in a mental frame, with flashing lights embedded in the frame. Add some honky-tonk or circus music. Enjoy the Flow while the old negative block fades away!

Left unchecked the stressful effects of these negative emotions may cause emotional and health problems. Stress is thought to the major cause of ill health, and is known to cause heart and circulatory problems, ulcers, and a contributor to perhaps all diseases. Dr. Robert Sapolsky of Stanford gives a short YouTube video summary of these effects at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPS7GnromGo .

Clearing Energy Blocks: De-Stress fears cont’d

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) has a De-Stressing procedure that is likewise (to EFT) easy and fast. It is utterly simple to perform, and may even be done by oneself with little or no training. To learn this therapeutic technique one does not need an advanced degree or years of higher education. Nor spend months or years with a psychoanalyst (not to mention thousands of dollars.) It is NLP’s Fast Fear Removal Technique.

The Fast Fear Removal Technique is a purely mental technique that maintains positive energy flow while recalling the blocking fear-producing event in reverse. In terms of our mind/body/spirit energy flow model we have introduced flow into the phobia mix that blocked energy flow and caused the stress. So far so good, and this is similar to EFT. However, the added wrinkle of experiencing the fear event in reverse keeps the memory from being overwhelming and allows the phobic program and subprograms to now associate with flow. Flow and stress cannot coexist, the next time the phobia will be weaker. There will be flow at the end of the phobia tunnel!

The procedure is straightforward, and involves the following steps:
• First (to dissociate yourself and make the memory less threatening) be an observer: imagine yourself part of the audience in a movie theater.
• Watch as a small black and white picture that shows your fear experience episode starting before the event when you were safe and sound (with positive energy flowing) until afterwards when you are once again safe and sound at the end. If this is too threatening float up above yourself in the audience and watch from there.)
• Now watch the same fear experience in reverse, in fast backward motion starting at the end safe spot to the initial safe and sound spot. Repeat this procedure, but this time in full color, and jump into the action on the screen yourself in first person.
That’s it! You should now be able to face this previously un-faceable memory/thought.

There is a YouTube demonstration of this technique at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRDwhqXWu-A . In this two minute video top NLP expert Paul McKenna cures a client of fear of needles. Watch as Paul leads the person through these simple steps. If you have a fear of your own, allow yourself to Join in, simply substituting your own private fear for the fear of needles.

Clearing Energy Flow Blocks: Step one De-Stress

The number one enemy of flow is stress, and the number one cause of stress is Fear and Pain. When we eliminate these we eliminate that source of stress and experience more flow. We eliminate the anxiety and inhibition that automatically pumps through our body in the form of adrenaline and cortisol. This encourages the healing and restorative hormones to flow once more.

So Job #1 is to Eliminate Fear and Pain! Regardless if it is based on reality, or if it is just imaginary it still causes stress which blocks flow. Whether the root cause was physical or emotional pain, when we eliminate the associated stress we conquer the fear. To eliminate that stress we must “jump-start” the flow past the stress-producing block.

The good news is that there is a new hi-tech psychic stress-clearing method that eliminates fear and pain, or at least takes the “sting” out. It is safe, simple and fast; a child can do it. The trick is to jump-start positive energy flow at the same time the fear is present. This may be done through the body’s meridians, the channel through which the energy flows, by a form of acupressure. By gently tapping on these meridians (starting the flow) at the same time as the fear is being experienced (mentally focused on) the block is wiped out. When the fear is focused on again, the flow returns (simple association) and the block remains wiped out!

This procedure is called “Tapping”, or “Emotional Freedom Technique” (EFT). It was developed by Gary Craig and publicized and made available to all, FREE OF CHARGE, in 2004. It’s basically simple: while thinking of the fear tap with your fingers on the meridian points: 1) between the eyebrows, 2) at the side of the eye(s), 3) under the eye(s), 4) under the nose, 5) above the chin, 6) on the collar bone(s), 7) under the arm(s) 8) top of the head, and 9) on the Karate point on the side of the hand(s). The self-treatment starts with tapping on the 9) Karate point and talking about accepting the situation: “Even though I have this fear of public speaking (for instance) I completely accept myself.” The next step is tap on each meridian point while focusing on the fear, saying “this terrible fear”, “this fear of flying” etc. to maintain Flow.

That’s it! In summary you first tap the Karate chop point with the acceptance statement, then tap each of the other 8 points stating aloud that you have this fear, or pain. It takes about a minute. After completing one or two rounds of this observe yourself and sense if the pain, or the fear remains; if so repeat the procedure until it no longer bothers you.


There is a short video explaining tapping http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I54BRKQ2po . There is also a Rod Sherwin video demonstration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4EDgTc0AyQ . By all accounts precise accuracy on the tapping points or the accompanying dialogue is unimportant. The simple intention of exposing the fear to healing Flow will win the day. For those interested in learning more, EFT founder Gary Craig maintains a website that has a wealth of information about tapping at: http://www.garythink.com/

Mind/Body/Spirit Flow: The Society of Mind

In his book The Society of Mind, Marvin Minsky proposed that the mind functions like a society, made up from smaller parts which of themselves have no consciousness, but taken together, and interacting together, constitute the mind. Much of his theory was developed from his work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) as founder and head of MIT’s AI lab. Marvin’s next book was The Emotion Machine, perhaps in recognition that his earlier model of the mind made up from parts developed from AI is not equal to the task of explaining human consciousness.

The “society” idea is a good one, and we will borrow it for a Society of Mind/Body/Spirit concept. We are beings combined from matter and energy of mind and body and spirit. With Einstein and the advent of quantum physics we now know that the matter and energy are essentially the same (Energy = Mass X the speed of light squared) much as ice, water and steam are related. There is a quantum mechanical flow within us, among body mind and spirit; perhaps this is the positive energy flow, or qi revered by the ancients. This energy flows chemically, electrically, magnetically, and by vibrations and waves, throughout our nerves, bloodstream and other body tissues. And true to its quantum nature it is not limited by space or time. Like electricity it flows from source to ground, freely; unless there is a short in the circuit, which disrupts this Society of Mind, Body and Spirit.

Mind/Body/Spirit, The Model: A Quantum/mechanical system

The original YMCA logo of “Spirit, Mind, Body” is a triangle with those three words written on the triangle itself, symbolizing the three-fold nature of a person, and the intent of the YMCA to develop all three aspects. Today, nearly two hundred years after the founding of the YMCA, modern day science (even in the western world) is beginning to agree. Today we are discovering that we and our world are, at the basic quantum level, energy. The traditional view of body mind and spirit being separate entities is being outdated. This logo now also an appropriate model for how the mind, body and spirit interconnect and energy flows among them.

The model of the mind proposed in The Psychology of Positive Thinking based on the programming of neurons in the brain, we can now see, did not go far enough. It is fine as far as it goes, but the mind is more than the neural circuit programs built up amongst the hundred odd billion neurons in the brain. It is more likely built up amongst the fifty Trillion odd cells throughout the body, and connected by electrical, chemical, light and (far subtler) quantum energies as well, energies that are not bound by either time or space.

In terms of our quantum mechanical model of our Mind/Body/Spirit system, as long as positive energy flows freely, the system is performing optimally, as it was intended to; we are “in the flow”. If there is an interruption in the flow, or a blockage occurs, performance suffers.

The previous series of posts on Mind/Body/Spirit proposes various methodologies for increasing energy flow in our system. Next we will offer suggestions on a concrete set of procedures for maximizing positive energy flow that are easy to do and fast.

Mind/Body/Spirit V: Mind Energy flow- “chakras”

According to the ancient eastern traditions (qi) positive energy flows throughout the body, passing through energy centers, or “chakras” that are associated with various body systems. When the energy flows freely and is balanced among these chakras the individual enjoys good health in mind, body and spirit. There is a website with a basic explanation of chakras, and links to sites with further explanation of the chakras. There is also information for healing energy imbalances and blockages at a website: Chakras-for-beginners.

The chakras are associated with endocrine gland sites, that can indeed influence beneficial hormonal activity in the body. These are thought by some to be controllable by the individual for himself, and even for others, at a distance, even a great distance as in Reiki healing: http://www.pslalitha.com/reiki-basics.htm . More information regarding chakras may be found here: http://chakras.egoplex.com/intro.html

Mind/Body/Spirit V: Mind Energy flow- The Power of Now

Eckhart Tolle wrote the book on The Power of Now. He had suffered for many years from the memories of a painful childhood. He tried in vain to resist these but found, as the saying goes, “what one resists, persists.” Eckhart became aware that these pain/memory vestiges were not under his control and termed them the “pain body.” He realized this was not part of his present “now” self, and in this realization was able to dispel it. Now Eckhart is a world-famous spiritual leader and devotes his life to helping others find this same enlightenment.

Vishen Lakiani, founder of Mindvalley, a superpower in the personal growth field agrees that you have to be happy in the now, to fulfill your personal growth vision. What has made his company so successful is that in running his company, he practices the enlightenment that he preaches. The following video shows the steps he follows with his company; it is also instructive for us as individuals: http://www.mindvalley.com/goal-setting-redefined/

When we are happy in the now, we experience positive energy flow.

Mind/Body/Spirit V: Mind Energy flow- NLP

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a related technique, borrowing from hypnosis and meditation some effective ways of working fairly directly with the subconscious. Those skilled in NLP have learned how to make positive to the people they work with without seemingly doing anything more out of the ordinary than having a conversation.

The NLP techniques are usually administered by someone well versed in NLP methodology, but may also be self-administered. A variety of these techniques are discussed on the NLP-techniques website. With some modifications an individual can apply them himself. A YouTube video about a Fast phobia cure shows how simple the technique can actually be.

Mind/Body/Spirit V: Mind Energy flow- hypnosis

Hypnosis and self-hypnosis are another way to induce meditative states and their characteristic beneficial brainwave patterns. The popularized “stage hypnosis” wherein the subject is hypnotized to manifest bizarre, and seemingly impossible behaviors illustrates the process: First a meditation-like state is induced, next a belief-altering suggestion is given, and finally the outrageous behavior that was suggested is manifested. So the subject is Guided (by suggestion) during Meditation (hypnotized state.) This turns out to be another form of Guided Meditation, our friend in the previous post!

Self-hypnosis (when seen simply as guided meditation) is an easy concept to understand, and much more appealing than the vaudeville variety. The elements of inducing the hypnotic trance are:
1. Get into a comfortable position (sitting is fine.)
2. Close your eyes and relax.
3. Observe yourself breathing (deep, “belly” breathing is most beneficial.)
4. Clear your thoughts of all but one “focusing” thought, sound or image, etc.
The above are the ingredients for inducing the meditation brainwave patterns. In and of itself this is a beneficial, de-stressing condition. Other beneficial results, depending on the individual’s needs may also be obtained.

There are many hypnosis-assisting audios and videos available on the web. You can simply Google “free hypnosis YouTube” which will lead you to a wide variety of selections for simple relaxation, smoking cessation, weight loss, confidence etc. Also available for free is a hi-tech video “Rejuvenate” that combines hypnosis, meditation and binaural aspects: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49XIlz5lCT0&feature=related .

Harry Carpenter has written a great book about how to access the power of your subconscious mind through self-hypnosis, with simple instructions on how to do this. It is available as a book, or on Kindle, for $4.99: http://www.amazon.com/The-Genie-Within-Subconcious-Mind-How/dp/1438276826/ref=pd_sim_b_5#reader_1438276826 . You can get a FREE Kindle Ap for your laptop or handheld device so you do not need a Kindle device to get this book for $4.99.

Mind/Body/Spirit V: Positive Energy- Brainwave entrainment

Technology that can induce brainwave patterns similar to those found during meditation has been developed recently. The methodology used is to present slightly different sounds to the left and right ears simultaneously. The brain, in an effort to reconcile these two signals into one coherent signal performs an adjustment process between the left and right brains; this produces synchronization of the two hemispheres as they communicate back and forth. Depending upon the degree of difference between the two signals, alpha, delta or theta brainwave patterns may be induced. It is claimed that the resulting effect is similar to meditation.

One company that produces this technology claims that listening to their brainwave audios will “have you meditating like a monk!” They offer free ten minute samples of their product and offer for sale a presumably more effective, longer version. More information is on their website “Holosync:” http://www.centerpointe.com/freecd/ " On the other hand there is a FREE one hour Binaural Brainwave recording available at http://free-binaural-beats.com/ambient-binaural-astral-projection/ . Other free and low cost recordings can be found by googling “binaural brainwaves on youtube”.

Mind/Body/Spirit V: Positive Energy flow- meditation practices

There has been an increase in the popularity of meditation over the past fifty years; perhaps a reflection of the increasingly busy hectic life in the Western world as the population abandons the country in favor of the city life. Meditation techniques calm and relax the stressed-out mental state that accompanies the urban rat race. This de-stressing effect of meditation has been observed in hundreds of medical scientific studies, and meditation is respected as an aid to medical treatment, even by the AMA. There is a good overview of this topic on a WebMD website: http://www.webmd.com/depression/tc/meditation-topic-overview

The UCLA School of Medicine has made information and meditations podcasts available, for FREE, on at its website: http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22 . One remarkable selection, and especially relevant to Positive Energy, is their “Loving Kindness Meditation.” Their first offering “Complete Meditation Instructions” is an excellent example of a non-specific, calming meditation, and instructive. Another, free meditation offering site is: http://www.fragrantheart.com/cms/free-audio-meditations/relaxation/creating-your-peaceful-sanctuary . Next we will look at some high tech brain stimulation techniques that purport to mimic meditation practices.

Mind/Body/Spirit V: Positive Energy flow- meditative states

Most of us live busy lives, scurrying about doing stuff. We are in the Rat Race, responding to “triggers” at work, at home, and sometimes even in our off-duty pleasure activities. Our brain wave pattern reflects this frenetic trigger-to-trigger time: it is called the “Beta” brain wave pattern with matching frenetic up and down movements. It looks stressful, and it is. The meditative states, up to and including sleep, are typically smoother and even look calmer! See this informative and entertaining ten minute “Ted Talk”: http://blog.ted.com/2013/01/11/4-scientific-studies-on-how-meditation-can-affect-your-heart-brain-and-creativity/

Scientific/medical studies have shown that these meditative states indeed have physical and chemical effects on their practitioners; their blood chemistry shows increased levels of de-stressor hormones. These studies show meditators to be significantly happier and healthier. We will consider four of these meditative states: Prayer, Traditional, Guided, and Brainwave entrainment meditative states.

Prayer: There are many accounts of the positive effects of prayer, and prayers being answered. Most people, at least in the United States, pray and believe in the healing power of prayer, even in the absence of “scientific”, explanations for how this occurs. The traditional medical establishment has refused to consider the possibility of spiritual healing, but that is now changing. The site: http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/can-prayer-heal gives us an update: even the NIH is now studying this possibility.

Barbara Bradley Haggerty, author of the book Fingerprints of God, has spent a year researching the connection between science and spirituality, and reports that there is strong evidence for the healing effect on those who pray, but the “scientific” evidence is mixed when the effect on the recipient of prayer is being tested. This is summarized in her interview with NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104466652 . The jury is still out, however; the traditional scientific method and measuring instruments may not be equal to testing in the world of the Spirit. Time will tell!

Mind/Body/Spirit V: Maximizing Body Energy flow

Physical Body Energy flow is related to your habits of Nutrition, Hydration, Exercise, Sleep and Breathing. These are activities you are already (of necessity) engaged in, and in most cases the optimizing adjustments are few, simple and pleasurable.

Nutrition: most of us fall short of what we know is a good diet. We probably should eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and less fried and fast foods. Anything we do to improve our diet improves positive energy flow. For greater detail, check out: http://www.pulsemed.org/back-to-basics-diet.htm

Hydration: most of us in the Western world, it is safe to say, are at least somewhat dehydrated. It is estimated that the average 150 – 200 lb person should consume 3 – 4 quarts of water daily for optimum flow. For details see: http://www.ilsi.org/northamerica/publications/hyd%20-%20hydration%20-%20fluids%20for%20life.pdf

Exercise: this activity needs no explanatory website; suffice it to say that more exercise is better, even a little more is better. For exercises specific to improving qi, see: http://www.qigongexercise.com/

Sleep: “In general, you can strengthen your qi by eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep… [and this will] also help reverse the aging process.” This quote, as well as more information about restoring qi, may be found o0 the site: http://www.pacificcollege.edu/acupuncture-massage-news/articles/433-restoring-and-enhancing-your-qi.html

Breathing: the benefits of breathing are obvious. Not so well known is that deep breathing from the diaphragm (belly breathing) relieves stress, while shallow chest breathing is actually stressful. For breathing thought to be especially beneficial to qi energy flow, see http://www.qi-energy.info/qi-breathing.htm

Mind/Body/Spirit IV: What is “Qi”, or Positive Energy flow?

Energy flows throughout our body, mind and spirit. Our primary energy vehicle is the electrical energy in the nervous system that flows throughout our body, headquartered in the brain. Chemical energy flows via the blood through our circulatory system dependent on the heard and closely related to the nervous system. Western science understands in a general way how these are related to our mind and body, but how they are further related to the spirit is a mystery. Eastern science/healing philosophy starts with the spirit end of the spectrum, with their concept of “qi”.

“Qi” is defined, according to Webster: “In Chinese philosophy, the ethereal substance of which everything is composed. Early Daoist philosophers and alchemists regarded it as a vital force associated with breath and bodily fluids and sought to control its movement within the body in order to achieve longevity and spiritual power.” The western world, especially traditional science and medicine, does not find this a useful concept. This “ethereal substance” is a concept too “woo-woo” and spiritual for their likes, although that is beginning to change!

Western science prefers to study the body, and grudgingly, the mind. They prefer the traditional senses, yet: it can no longer be denied that there is extra sensory perception. The world of quantum physics is introducing ideas such as non-locality, string theory, alternate realities and this is only the beginning. Western science is now beginning to study the invisible connection among the members of a flock of birds or a swarm of fish- http://diydilettante.wordpress.com/category/science/ and how migrating birds and other animals are able to navigate vast distances, and entanglement- http://physicscentral.com/explore/action/pia-entanglement1.cfm ; and especially relevant to the study of mind/body/spirit are the energetic “electromagnetic aspects of the bio-field”- http://physicscentral.com/explore/action/pia-entanglement1.cfm .

We are dependent on these various energies for our well-being, even for life itself. The more smoothly they flow, the better we operate. If there are blockages in these systems we suffer emotional and physical ailments. The ecology of our body/mind/spirit demands this. We are well-advised to maximize this positive energy flow!

Mind/Body/Spirit III: Increasing Positive Energy flow.

The Eastern world has long been aware that there is a Positive Energy within all animate- and inanimate- objects. This is now being accepted in the Western world as well; as it is accepted that matter is basically a form of energy. This energy is universally connected, and may even be the connectivity itself. The ancients named this positive energy force “qi”, the source of life, and have developed healing techniques based on it. Among them are the acupuncture and acupressure healing techniques, still in use today.

The website http://www.acupressure.com/applications/qienergy.htm has some information about these techniques, and qi energy. “Within all living animals are Qi meridian pathways. These life force channels govern the functions of all systems of the human body. The way Qi energy flows through the meridians presides over wellness or dis-ease imbalances... Thus, when Qi blockage occurs, the inhibited energy flow can result in all kinds of human suffering; however the flow of the Qi force can contribute to happiness when the Qi energy flows… [This] is effective in the relief of stress-related ailments, in self-care and in preventive health care. ”

It turns out that these same healing benefits can be obtained by simply tapping on the meridian points, without recourse to acupuncture or massage. This is known as the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) that can be easily learned and used by anyone with no previous experience or training. As mentioned on a previous post, there are easy to follow instructions at www.garythink.com/eft/eft-tutorial.html as well as other sites about EFT or tapping that a search engine will discover for you.

Mind/Body/Spirit Positive energy flow.

When you are “in the Zone” life is good. Most of us have experienced being in this Zone from time to time, and have felt ourselves empowered beyond the norm. Maslow called these moments “peak experiences”. There are other names for this: “being in the flow”, “feeling good vibrations”, and being in the moment. These are moments of inspiration, and miracles seem more likely to manifest themselves at such times. We transcend our incongruent stressed out states and are enlightened and empowered.

For the past five thousand years, healers, gurus and monks have been practicing meditative and spiritual healing techniques, attempting to regulate the body’s energy flow, referred to as “qi”. Recently these energy healing ideas have spread to the Western healing world as well. Miraculous medical and emotional healing results have been claimed, and indeed seem to have occurred. Scientific medical studies have documented many of these claims.

While there is scientific documentation supporting the efficacy of these techniques, there is very little in terms of scientific explanation of how they work. “Vibrations”, the “Law of attraction”, “Qi” and other energetic unseen forces are credited with improving or blocking our functioning. Some promising scientific medical studies are investigating neurochemical/DNA/hormonal changes. Whatever the explanatory principles of these various methodologies are, however, they have been shown to work and are worthy of pursuing.

These methodologies, with accompanying websites explaining how to perform these miracles, follow in the next few posts. Meditation and Breathing techniques, Yoga, Brainwave entrainment, Hypnosis, NLP and EFT are all effective positive energy ehancement tools, and in most cases can be accomplished via self-help.

Body/Mind/ Spirit: Positive energy

For the last hundred years, since Albert Einstein revealed to the scientific world that mass is a form of energy (and vice-versa) with his famous equation E=MC2, we have begun to understand that reality is, basically, energy. And energy, we are coming to find out, has some previously unsuspected characteristics: it is not bound by time nor space; in fact it is more likely to be time and space! You- the Body/Mind/ Spirit you- are the positive energy that is created by your body, mind, and spirit. And as positive energy, you are neither bound by time nor space.

We tend to think of the body as a "container"- the mass- that houses the mind and spirit. This is partly true for it consists of fifty trillion or so cells; however these cells are all energetically connected, and communicate information back and forth electrically, chemically, and magnetically. This energetic flow is essential to our wellbeing. The channels for this flow are called meridians, a connecting network that goes throughout the body and organs. The strongest, heart meridian has by far the greatest electrical charge (far greater that the brain) and is the center of the electromagnetic “aura” field that radiates out from you. We can think of this as the center, or “ground” of our positive energy system.

We think of the conscious and subconscious mind as being a function of the brain. Perhaps it is more accurate to think of the conscious mind as being a control center, however, for the brain is connected to all fifty trillion cells in our body, while the brain itself only contains a paltry hundred billion or so. At the helm of this control center is our conscious mind. It has access to information from the fifty trillion cells and their energy information through the subconscious mind. Blockages of this energy information flow at the subconscious level can occur. These blockages have a “gate keeper” effect, preventing some information from consciousness. We can roughly identify and measure some of these mental activities in our brain with instruments like EEGs and EKGs, and at least grossly identify some mental states.

The spirit is more elusive. It is (quite obviously) a spiritual concept and traditionally not thought to have mass or any physical substance. Modern science and ground-breaking technology are bringing these traditional ideas into question, however! It appears that we humans emanate, from the heart, a magnetic energetic aura measurable to a distance of six to eight feet. Other findings with more advanced technology hint that this distance may be far greater, especially at higher vibration frequencies. We are now venturing into the quantum world, where time and distance disappear. Here we connect to the Universe, perhaps even to God. This positive energy flow may be where we encounter the miraculous! We will consider ways of increasing this energy flow in the future posts.

Become Friends with your SubConscious

Become Friends with your SubConscious. We tend to think of our Conscious mind as being in charge of our daily activities, the part of us that is in charge: the part that is “driving the bus”. While in a way that is true, our conscious mind is totally inadequate to run the show by itself. Our conscious mind is limited to processing seven (plus or minus two) bits of information at a time as the late George A Miller discovered more than fifty years ago. The rest of the (subconscious) mind has access to the unlimited information that is stored in the brain, and has unlimited processing power.

So while our conscious mind is nominally in charge, it is really dependent on the SubConscious rest of the mind, body and spirit to provide the data on which to proceed. The data/information flows on electromagnetic-chemical positive energy highways. Sometimes these highways can become blocked or impassable due to previous physical or emotional accidents, leaving the conscious mind to proceed on partial or incorrect data.

And unfortunately sometimes our conscious and SubConscious minds have opposing agendas. The SubConscious mind, for good reasons of its own, may block access to, clog up or otherwise sabotage what the conscious mind proposes to do. The positive energy stops flowing. You may get derailed by blockages on the highways. When the Conscious and SubConscious minds cooperate and communicate, and get on the same page, the energy flow is restored.

There are many approaches to restoring positive energy flow. Some approaches are physical and some are more spiritual; ancient and Eastern, or modern and Western; mind-based, body-based and spirit-based: these approaches all seem to work towards making the individual and even community an integrated, congruent whole. The next few posts will examine these approaches and refer the reader to various websites, most of which are free and contain powerful self-help tools.