Welcome back to Health and #WELLNESS WEDNESDAY everyone! It’s a new week and another opportunity to continue our discussion on Complementary and Alternative Medicine – otherwise known as CAM. And today, we’re going to talk about a mental technique that has been around for literally thousands of years.
Now, throughout these many years, this particular mental methodology has been called many different things. In the Mahabharata, the Sanskrit epic of ancient India, the Pundits referred to it as Ritam. Religious teachings over the centuries have used the phrases “keeping in faith” and “as you sow, so shall you reap.” At the turn of the last century William Walker Atkinson authored what he called “Thought Vibration.” In the 1940s Claude M. Bristol wrote about it in “The Magic of Believing” and in the 1960s Norman Vincent Peale coined the phrase in his book, “The Power of Positive Thinking.”
Psychologists know it as self-proclamation, affirmation and self-fulfilling prophesy. Physics established it as the Laws of Attraction and Reciprocity. And physicians, athletic directors, business professionals and people from all walks of life use guided imagery and mental rehearsal to further the dreams and desires of not only their patients and clients – but of themselves as well.
So, what’s behind this? What are we really talking about? What’s the 411?
Well, to begin, let’s review just a bit of High School science. Physics, actually. You see, we live in a physical reality. A physical world in which we interact through our five senses of sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. It is a relative world which means everything is always changing. AND, it is a world in which everything is composed of energy — molecules and atoms that vibrate at different frequencies.
Now, stay with me. Let’s use an example. Color, for instance. The seven different colors of the visible light spectrum are composed of the same energy — molecules and atoms – but they vibrate at different levels to create different colors.
Similarly, thought is energy. And, different thoughts are energy that vibrate at different frequencies. And, because “form follows idea” thought is the foundation of every emotion, action and reaction.
For example, when we think about everything that’s wrong with our life, when we’re in a “bad mood,” when we obsess with disappointment or loss or illness or pain of some kind – we feel lousy! And when we feel lousy, we can’t do our best work. And when we can’t do our best work, we can’t be as efficient or productive in our actions. And, when we can’t be efficient or productive in our actions, we can’t really be happy or enjoy the success in life that we would all love to have.
So you see, the quality or vibration of our thoughts determines the quality of our emotional state and our action. Negative vibrations in thought create negative action. And, they can create negative reaction in the world around us.
Yet, the opposite is also true. Positive thoughts create positive emotions and actions. In its simplest form, try thinking of something you love – something that makes you feel good. When you have this thought, your physical body reacts. Do you find yourself feeling better? Or, perhaps smiling? Or, laughing? You see, you have just set up a mental vibration – or thought – that began a chain reaction and set up a positive vibration or reaction in your physical body. AND, in this state of now feeling good, don’t you feel more energy? AND, mental clarity? AND, a greater desire to share it and spread it around? AND, then don’t you notice how people of a similar nature just seem to be more attracted to you?
Now, guided imagery – or creative visualization – or whatever you choose to call it – is the tool that can help you create positive thoughts and effective action in virtually every area of your life.
In sports, athletes “see” themselves jumping higher or running faster. They send thoughts of success to every muscle and cell in their body. They create mental pictures of winning the competition and receiving the trophy. They call up these images over and over again – honing their physical skill through mental repetition.
On the stage, actors rehearse every word, every movement, every reaction involved in their storytelling. They go over every detail again and again. Nothing is left to chance. And, at the end of this lengthy mental rehearsal a finely tuned physical performance is delivered.
And, of course, in medical settings in which CAM techniques are used, visualization patients “see” their strong body fighting the illness or disease. They create images of “good” cells destroying “bad” cells. They visualize white light streaming into their bodies replacing all dark areas of pain and discomfort.
Accordingly, psychologists help patients overcome fear and anxiety with images of peaceful surroundings. Pediatric wards teach children to fight their illness with mental images of tiny soldiers working inside their bodies. And, VA facilities help veterans reduce Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by “seeing” themselves wrapped in a cocoon of warmth, safety and protection.
Similarly, we can use this technique in our everyday lives. Why not spend just a few minutes every morning thinking very clearly about the things you hope to accomplish that day. Paint pictures in your mind of those things. Visualize yourself being successful. Create positive mental images and situations for yourself. Speak your desires out loud. Then see how you feel. Take note of how your day unfolds.
And when the inevitable “bad day” comes along – don’t spend your time thinking about the problem. Don’t dwell on it. Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Don’t focus on it. Instead, use your incredible “mind power” to visualize better days. See yourself solving the problem. Imagine yourself stepping over the problem. Picture the problem dissolving in your mind’s eye.
For you see, it’s not so much, “We are what we eat.” Rather, it’s more accurate to say,
“We are what we think.”
So, whatever your circumstances might be — or wherever you might find yourself in life — here’s another time-tested technique that can only help you on your path. Give it a try. There are numerous books you can read on the subject. Or, check in your area to see if a nearby medical facility or the local community center offers classes. And always remember, small steps can lead to big changes!
Thanks for joining me everyone! Stay in good health and until next time,
TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!
Image courtesy of artemisphoto at Freedigitalphotos.net
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