Jon Leuty is a successful internet marketer who is dedicated to helping others succeed online. To find out more about Jon and to grab some awesome FREE training go to: http://whoisjonleuty.com
The New Age Thinking regarding the use of affirmations can be somewhat frivolous. The idea that you can simply think about or affirm what you want and then get it is decidedly absurd. Yet, there is no doubt that thinking is a formative force in the materialization and fabrication of our world view and the conditioned circumstances in which we exist. How we view the world, and ourselves, as we are in and of the world, determines how we act which in turn results in effects. Our current situation–all the conditions of our present life and the various contexts in which we find ourselves, is a direct result of our past, specifically how we have used language in describing ourselves, our capacities, abilities and goals all of which is a precursor for behavior which, again, is causative meaning it brings about effects.
Language is not only our tool for communication. It is also our tool for thought. We think in words as well as mental pictures. But, language is a rather crude instrument. In English, with a mere 26 letters, we codify and represent all our experience…and communicate that experience, as best we can, with language. How can 26 letters encompass not just decades but ages upon ages of experience?
Language is tricky…it’s not always easy to understand the true meaning of a word or phrase. For example “love” has many different shades of meaning. When we say we love that new restaurant down the street, is that the same as when we say we love our mother? And when we are told that we should love ourselves, what kind of love do we apply? The kind of love we have towards our pet? Our sibling? One of the most common New Age Affirmations is something along the lines of “I love myself.” What does that mean? Really? Do we love ourselves the way we love our spouse? The way we love our neighbor? We don’t do those very well, so how could we possible love ourselves any better?
Because thought, which uses language, is a formative force. Affirmations are important. What we say to ourselves, and how we say it, does have an impact upon our mind, our body and our behavior…which, being causative, brings about effects. It behooves us to consider the positive and accurate use of affirmations as part of mental health hygiene. Just as you brush your teeth twice a day, so taking a few minutes to use language and thought in such a purposeful way that the mind is imprinted with positive impressions, is healthy. And, just as toothbrushes come in different styles and choosing one that works well is a consideration, so too designing an effective and accurate affirmation takes some meditation.
There are some basic guidelines to the proper use of affirmations: relatively short, first person singular, realistic, and yet not necessarily a present reality, vividness and kinaesthetic intensity, which is feeling. An affirmation is generally no longer than a few sentences and mostly just one simple sentence. The most common beginning of the sentence is “I am” and this is actually a very good affirmation to start with. After you brush your teeth, look in the mirror and say to yourself “I am.” After you’ve done that for a couple of months consistently, you can add on to it. For example, “I Am Healthy.” Of course, exactly what “healthy” consists of is not detailed, nor should it be. The word “healthy” is associated with dozens, if not hundreds, of other words, phrases, images and feelings. It’s those associations that gives that word its meanings. As you say “I am healthy” the subconscious mind automatically conjures images of what that means. As you repeat that affirmation as if it is a mantra, the images and feelings become intensified. But, you ask, what if I am not healthy, as many people in fact are not. You can still affirm this statement. It is not a hope or a want, it can be a statement of fact…even though it may currently be a lie.
Many of the beliefs and world views we hold today were built up through repetitive use of affirmations…simple sentences…which were, at the time, untruths. But, having repeated them so often, in first person singular, with vividness and feeling, these simple statements which were not at the time realities, became so. For example, a child growing up and learning language might imitate their parent who might often say “I’m such a klutz.” The child begins to imitatively repeat this affirmation and, although not a reality at the time, can easily become one.
To affirm something in the present which is not currently a reality is not a lie. It is simply a conflict. The subjective reality of the affirmative statement, coupled with vividness and feeling, is in conflict with the objective reality of consensual agreement. As the new affirmative statements are repeated the conflict increases. During this period of conflict there may be very strong thoughts attempting to convince one that the objective consensual reality is “the truth.” By continuing on with daily affirmative statements the creative subconscious mind begins to work towards conflict resolution. One of the two “realities” must be dissolved. There is tremendous force and momentum behind the objective consensual reality. Yet with simple persistence, the new subjective affirmative reality which was in conflict with the objective consensual reality begins to take dominance. The objective consensual reality’s basis, which is nothing other than established internal, subjective, affirmative statements becomes less rigid…it begins to crack. It becomes subordinate, and diminishes, and eventually dissolves away. Objective indications of the new affirmative position begins to be noticed in the world of consensual agreement…a new personal reality begins to emerge which is also substantiated by growing objective consensual agreements.
So, you may currently be very unhealthy. That does not matter. You can still affirm “I Am Healthy.” Be warned however, that as the weeks and months pass, as the conflict between the objective consensual reality and the newly forming subjective affirmative statements increases, there may be tendencies to prove to yourself that you are unhealthy. These tendencies need not be acted upon and, like storm moving through the region, they too pass; and then you may find yourself engaging in behaviors which are more aligned with the newly forming subjective reality of being healthy. What these new behaviors are will vary from individual to individual. There is no prescription as to diet, exercise, etc. The behaviors arise from the subconscious mind which is now accepting the newly forming reality. Although some may argue that you must affirm specifics, this writer believes the more generic, the greater the chance of allowing the creative subconscious mind to organize and formulate the necessary components of that reality without undue influence from the conditioned conscious mind.
There are a number of simple, generic affirmations that can be practiced. For example, “I am competent,” “I am efficient,” I am relaxed,” are some very simple affirmative statements that if practiced regularly can impact the subconscious mind in such a way as to bring about behaviors that are in alignment with that affirmation. Here is a longer affirmation that can be useful to repeat upon awakening in the morning and upon retiring in the evening: “I am a unique person, wonderful in many ways. I am gifted with the freedom to make choices and the means to act. I live in a world of possibilities and respond with intelligence. I am alert to what is happening around me. I can communicate. I am able to reason and I can learn. I will often remember…I am a unique person, wonderful in many ways.”
Few would argue the formative power of thought. Every single tool in our culture, from a simple hammer to space shuttles was first a thought in the mind. And clearly language plays a critically important role in thinking. Sometimes crafting an appropriate and accurate affirmative statement requires some assistance by a psychological wordsmither. If you would like help in designing an individualized affirmation specific to your personal and private issues, you are welcome to contact me via my website at http://www.openmindcounseling.com . Also, at the bottom of the home page is an invitation to receive a free copy (.pdf file) of James Allen’s timeless self-improvement classic As A Man Thinketh.
June 21, 2012 By
Ken Fields is a nationally certified licensed mental health counselor. With over 25 years in the mental health field, he has worked as as an individual and family therapist throughout school districts and within communities, a crisis intervention counselor, a clinical supervisor and an administrator in a human service agency. He has taught classes in meditation, visualization, goal setting, self-image psychology, anger and stress management, negotiation, mediation and communication, crisis intervention, and parenting. Mr. Fields specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Family Systems Therapy and Communication Coaching. As a practicing counseling psychologist, Mr. Fields brings decades of specialized training and applied skills to his work. He now provides quality online counseling and can be found at http://www.openmindcounseling.com and http://www.kasamba.com/ken-fields
What If Human Life Begins at Conception?
June 9, 2012 By
What If Human Life Begins at Conception?
If human life begins at conception, we should protect it from conception at all costs. If we are unwilling to protect human life at its beginning stages, we will not respect life at its end stages either. If life can be devalued at conception, then it can be devalued for any reason at any time. There are a number of reasons why we should protect life at conception.
The question is, “Does human life begin at conception?” A more basic question is, “What is human life?” Human life is different from any other life on this planet. Human life is unique. Life in general has three basic aspects. One is, it is able to reproduce itself. The other is, it is able to mature. Then, life produces after its kind. Human life does all of these, plus it is created in the image and likeness of God. Thus, the spirit of a human being has God-like attributes. Also, human beings are created to live forever. This does not make us little gods. It does enable us to communicate with God. All other organic life is not able to do this. Only human beings can worship God and walk in fellowship with Him.
Another question is, “At what time does an embryo become a human being?” This is the big one! If the embryo is a human being at conception, then he or she is protected by our Constitution. That person has a legal right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” That person also has a right to trial by jury, due process and all other God-given rights as stated in our legal documents. If the embryo becomes human after conception then we can do as we please with “it.” The answer to this question is rather straightforward.
Does it have the potential to reproduce itself? Yes! It can mature to the point that it can reproduce itself. Are the mother and father of the child human beings? This is the idea that like produces like. The parents are human thus the unborn child is human. At no point in his or her development is the child less human than at another time. The human embryo is made in the image and likeness of God at conception. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure this out.
Common sense is all that is needed. Only human beings are born sinners. David said in Psalm 51 that he was a sinner from conception. David also tells us in Psalm 139 that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” So, the original question can be answered with another question. “At what time is the embryo less than a human being?” The answer is, “At no time is the embryo less than a human being!” The human embryo does not go through evolutionary stages. The “proof” of this that was given years ago turned out to be a hoax. This idea has been proven false a long time ago. For example, “gill-slits” in the human embryo do not match up with fish gills. The “tail” is another example. It turns out to be not a tail at all. There is no scientific evidence that would suggest the human embryo goes through evolutionary stages of development. The human embryo is distinctly human at all stages of his or her embryonic development.
The baby’s development from conception to birth can be likened to a product being assembled on an assembly line. Take for example, a car. You start at the beginning and build the frame and put all the parts on it. When you finally come to the end, you have a fully functional car. What if someone came up with the idea that we should clear the assembly line because this thing is not a car. This is nothing except a pile of junk. If such a thing happened, the plant would be shut down and we would go back to the horse and buggy days. The baby in the womb is on an “assembly line.” First you have two cells that come together. Then the process of making a baby kicks into operation. All the “parts” are put together along the line and nine months later out comes a fully functional baby boy or girl. It would be just as silly to stop the production of this baby as it would be to stop the production of a car. A baby is much more valuable than a car!
Micah 6:7b says, “Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” This is a good question. Notice this Scripture calls an unborn child “the fruit of my body.” This would indicate a “baby in the womb” is not a part of a woman’s body. It is the “fruit” of the woman’s body. The “baby in the womb” is a separate individual from the mother. He or she is developing in the mother’s body. The mother is nourishing and protecting the baby during his or her stages of human development. The baby is a guest of the mother. The mother is a self-sacrificing, loving host of her baby. She would never think of harming her baby in any way. Her motherly instinct would not let her do such a thing. Because of this, at no time should a baby be torn from its mother’s womb. To do so, a person would be guilty of destroying a human life and bring remorse on the whole family.
To you mothers out there who were conned into having an abortion, I want you to know God will forgive you. Not only will He forgive you, He will also heal the hurt you have suffered from it. Realize your baby is safe in the arms of Jesus. Your aborted baby is in heaven. Just turn from your sins and accept Jesus as your Savior. Find a Bible-believing, Christ-centered pastor that will help you through this trauma in your life. Get with Christians who will help you as well. God bless you and help you to find such a pastor and a fellowship of Christians.
What If Human Life Begins at Conception?
If you are NOT willing to forsake the world, the flesh and the devil and live within God’s redeeming love, you should not go to Howard E. Wright’s “Deceitful Masters” book website. This book is not for the faint-hearted or the weak-minded. This book is filled with the truth that will set you free from the lies that are blinding the minds and hearts of those who are scoffing at God. If you cannot handle the truth, you would be wasting your time to check this out. However, if you are ready for the truth as it is in Christ Jesus that will give you a richer, fuller life, this is the book for you. You will learn from it how to live this new life in Christ Jesus.
It is very unique. The cover pages tell it all. There is nothing like it on the market. If you are hungering for more of God in your life, you are invited to get your copy from my http://www.DeceitfulMasters.com website today. For more advanced articles on truth, you may want to check out my “Power of Truth Blog” at http://thepoweroftruth.wordpress.com. This blog covers controversial subjects on contemporary issues. These articles will require some serious thinking. Feel free to make comments or ask questions.
Content About : What If Human Life Begins at Conception? Article
