Hope, Faith, Truth ... Positive Imaging

The world in which you live

is not primarily determined

by outward conditions and circumstances

but by the thoughts that habitually occupy your mind.

Norman Vincent Peale

May 31, 1898 – December 24, 1993

Norman Vincent Peale was one of the most widely read inspirational writers of all time.  He was pastor of New York City's Marble Collegiate Church, a prominent lecturer, and radio host and perhaps best known for his book, THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING. 

I first became aware of his work in Guideposts Magazine (Peale was the editor and co-publisher) back in the days when Sue Monk Kidd was also a contributing author.  In my opinion, he was in the forefront of ministers who encouraged Christians to begin to be accountable for their relationship with God rather than just depending upon a minister or a church.  He was like a breath of fresh air all of those years ago. 

In 1982, Norman Vincent Peale wrote another book, POSITIVE IMAGING.  When I read this book, I immediately read it again, and then again.  As I devoured his words, I could feel limitations fall away and I began to feel a part of faith once again rather than being separate.  He was interested in developing the human spirit, the awakening of the soul.  My, he was ahead of his time.

Peale stated about Positive Imaging:  "The concept is a form of mental activity called imaging.  It consists of vividly picturing in your mind a desired goal or objective and holding that image until it sinks into your unconscious where it releases great untapped energies."

Mr. Peale encouraged us to visualize our own well-being, to see our selves whole, healthy and energized.  He believed that the key to health was practicing creative imaging.  He explained that beautiful thoughts triggered the release of beneficial hormones which assisted the body in being healthy.

The Bible and scripture were frequently quoted in his writings.  He believed  hope, faith, and truth were vitally important once we set our goal, believed in attaining our goal, imagined it to a great degree, and made sure Divine Spirit was our partner.

My favorite part of  POSITIVE IMAGING pertained to imaging Jesus the Christ or Buddha or any other Master .  Here is what he suggested for creative imaging:

             "Image Jesus as actually your personal friend.  Don't regard Him as some remote, historical, stained-glass kind of figure.  Image Him as your constant companion throughout the day.  Paint a portrait in your mind of what you think He looks like.  Fill in the details:  His compassionate eyes, those strong carpenter's hands.  How did His voice sound when He talked to people, when He told the story of the Prodigal Son, for example?  He must have had a wonderful laugh; can you picture yourself sitting on a hillside in Galilee, hearing it?  If you can picture that, why not picture Him sitting alongside of you right now?"  

In POSITIVE IMAGING, Norman Vincent Peale documented stories about terminally ill patients who chose to use Positive Imaging in addition to their medical assistance.  His words continue to be as they were  in my younger adult years.  He was definitely a large contribution to my beliefs of the body, mind, and spirit connection.

Congruent with Body, Mind, and Spirit

 

                                             

 

 

 

Flow with whatever is happening and let your mind be free.  Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing.  This is the ultimate.     ~ Chuang  Tzu

 

 

An oxymoron suiting me quite well is an "organized procrastinator".  There are areas in my life where I am highly detailed and disciplined, but other areas where I will put things off for absolutely no reason.  One minute totally focused and another minute drifting into unrestrained loftiness. 

 

This generates the conversation regarding being spontaneous and going with the flow or being disciplined so life has been lived to the maximum.  The obvious would be to balance discipline with spontaneity.  The not so obvious would to be so totally connected with the inner Spirit that we simply follow the guidance.  If we are truly in touch with our higher self, we can just allow life to unfold.

 

For a long time I stated I could only write the first thing of a morning.  I was very disciplined and wrote every morning.  As life has it, however, there were times my mornings were interrupted and I would wait until the next morning to write.  Put quite simply, this was nothing but an illusion.  It was a story I told myself and therefore became very rigid naming it discipline.  In reality, I can write any time I want to be disciplined to do it ... morning, afternoon, evening.  When I am connected to my inner Spirit, I know what is best for me to do.  If I am open to the idea of cleaning, I can sail through my tasks easily.  If I resist the nudge to do something, it grows heavy on my mind and I resist all the more.  Finally when I give in, I do the task begrudgingly and it takes on more time and displeasure. 

 

The point I am trying to make is this ... I want to be a verb for Spirit to use me when and where I can best contribute.  I want to maintain an awareness so I can be guided. By being congruent with body, mind, and spirit, I can be a force to create positive energy in what I do or where I go.  I can be an instrument bringing peace and calm.

 

 

 

What Does It Mean ... 12-12-12

 The Ancient Mayan calendar speaks of 12-12-2012 as the end of times as we know it, and the beginning of a new cycle of evolution for planet earth, humanity and the cosmos. Mayan elders say that the Ancients were informing the modern world to be ready for a giant transformation for the human race. Interestingly, traditions across the world including Buddhism, Tao, Hopi and Vedic knowledge predict a ‘Golden Age’ or ‘Satyug’ in their calendars around the same period. December 2012 is being looked upon as a significant spiritual event and a momentous shift in the collective consciousness of the planet.

~Body, Mind, Spirit Journeys

Being the humans that we are, there is a diverse response to the forthcoming 12-12-12.  There are many predictions with various reactions.  Some are planning a celebrational trip to Peru or Mexico while others are dreading destruction, death, and the end of the world.  The world will always have spiritual visionaries as well as doomsday negativity. 

Personally, I would like to look beyond the fear of catastrophe and invest my time, meditations, and thoughts into the realm of hope.  As portals will seemingly open, we will be offered a new beginning.  As in all shifts that occur, a space is created ...  an opportunity for change whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual.  Whether viewing the reports of Ancient Scrolls, Spiritualists such as Tom Kenyon, the Bible, or Scientific Research, interpretations are rarely accurate.  So the point need not be the right or wrong of timely prediction, but rather placing the emphasis on what is to be learned.  As always, what is the lesson?

Harboring Lies

We live in a culture that is dying for the truth ~ literally.  When we keep painful secrets or tell lies, we distort our energy fields, weaken our immune systems, pickle our organs, constrict our hearts, rattle our brains, and confuse our nervous systems.  Lies turn the body into a toxic waste dump.

Deborah King

TRUTH HEALS

Little white lies, what harm can they do?  Plenty.  Lies not only distort the truth and dishonor the self,  they also give others a false impression.  Lies are like potato chips in that you can't just settle for one!  No matter what the intention, lies have a way of increasing deception and eventually set us up for a great fall.

We may think we have hidden a poor choice, but the truth has a way of erupting when least expected and if we happen to deny the situation things can rapidly take a different course.  Lies appear to be the easy way out, but only on the surface.  Telling the truth from the very start may be difficult, but once it is set straight, we are free to move forward. 

Telling the truth does not need to be abrasive nor offensive to another.  We may convince our selves that telling the truth will cause another pain, but in the long run, by lying, we will hurt them even more. 

If we harbor too many lies, the anxiety over the truth being discovered, can cause us not only mental anguish, but may begin to erode our physical being as well.  Dishonesty creates speed bumps that interrupt our natural energy flow.  Our energy becomes blocked and illness can follow when faced with prolonged dis-ease.  If left unattended, the spirit grows heavy and can be broken leading to depression of body, mind, and spirit.

Little white lies are such  easy responses, but in time complexity settles in.  Deceptions not only keep healthy relationships at bay, they also keep us distanced from our authentic selves.

Simple lies can lead to complex problems so endeavor to be a truth teller! In each and every moment we have the option to start anew or confess or forgive.   Being honest with our self is certainly a great beginning. 

Healing Bubbles

  He does not need opium.

He has the gift of reverie.

~Anais Nin

For several days, I have been challenged by a throbbing pain.  I believe in the body, mind, and spirit connection, so safely placed my body in the hands of one of many respected energy worker friends.  She successfully manipulated my body, softly led me into a meditative state, and shared insights from her hands on work.  This experience was quite revealing which is why it is important to be with those you trust.

My body was able to relax on the table while it was being massaged.  Then it widely opened to the energy work at hand.  Guided back through several days, I was able to pin point what action was causing this pain.  Once I recognized the behavior that became the trigger, I was able to go back even farther to see earlier patterns of this behavior.

While visualizing, I saw the cells in my body all cramped and repressed.  I mentally began to separate them and cleanse them, allowing them to float freely.  In doing so, I was reminded of my bubble machine and how much I enjoyed watching bubbles float in the air.  It was easy for me to connect the cleansing of my cells with my love for floating bubbles. 

For me, creative visualization or the gift of reverie, is very potent.  I am blessed to be able to see vibrant colors accompanied by what I will call 'knowings' or reflections.  I truly believe that our thoughts when ignored become lodged in our bodies.  When we disregard the beginning of discomfort and continue with our thoughts, the discomfort can stretch into pain, trying to get our attention.

Yes, in truth, I still have pain, but it is most definitely modified.  Once I was able to connect the pain with my action, I felt a release.  Now through contemplation, I can keep going back to root out and understand these actions that cause me pain.  I can also be aware daily to correct the thoughts that trigger this pain.

Energy workers shift our energy that has become blocked by actions, behaviors or trauma.  They balance the body so that the energy can flow in its natural state.  I once again feel peaceful and balanced.  I am deeply grateful for the loving kindness of my friend who so generously shares her gifts with me as well as others.  May the blessings be.