Vitarka badhane pratipaksa bhavanam
In the case of disturbance arising through troublesome thoughts such as of violence one should become intent on their respective opposites. (Trans: U. Arya)

Yoga Sutras, Book II, Sutra 33

Repeated thoughts held long enough become beliefs, and beliefs can overcome DNA and previous programming when applied properly.

In other words beliefs can overcome genetics and when we change our beliefs, we change our physical chemistry, we change our outcomes, and we change our lives.  

This is presently being proven by the western medical community in a new field called psychoneuroimmunology.  

But how do we change beliefs and adopt healthy positive attitudes that produce what we want in life?

Our discussion is broken down into three parts:

Part I:    The litmus test:  Is it true?  Learn to think the opposite thought
Part II:   The use of creative imagination
Part III:   The use of relaxation for programming

Part I:  The litmus test*: Is it true? Learn to think the opposite thought utilizing a resolve.

Step 1:  Recognize you have a choice in the way you think.

You must recognize that you can choose a thought that will take you to where you want to go or you can choose a thought that will keep you stuck where you are.  

You have that power.

Changing your vocabulary, changing your thoughts, changes your outcomes.  Shifting paradigms is most effective while in a deep relaxation (when alpha waves would be measured in the mind), and can be accomplished at other times although will take a little longer. (Part II describes four states of consciousness)

Step 2: Become aware of the excuses you tell yourself.

Excuses are explanations that you use to lie to yourself to keep you stuck and away from attaining what you want.

There are several excuses people use. Here are some of the most common ones:

• It’s too difficult
• I already did all this stuff
• I’m at a new level now and find this kindergarten stuff
• I’m afraid
• It may work for others, but I doubt it will work for me
• It’s impossible
• It will take too long
• It’s not in my nature
• I can’t afford it
• No one will help me
• I’m too old
• I’m too young
• I’m too skinny  
• I’m too fat
• It’s too risky
• It has never happened before
• The rules won’t let me
• My history has caught up with me and is blocking me from moving on
• I doubt it will work
• I’m not ready
• I don’t have the energy
• It’s too expensive
• I don’t deserve it
• I don’t know what I want
• My disease won’t let me
• I’m too far gone
• I don’t know if this program is the one I want to do

There are other excuses that people use.  What’s your favorite?  What lies do you tell yourself to avoid life, responsibility, to having the health, the love, the money, etc. that you desire?

Excuses are used by people so they can stay stuck and sabotage themselves to get the following payoffs:

• To avoid responsibility.
• To play victim, whine and wallow in self-pity, “Oh poor me, look at what happened to me, no one really understands.”
• To avoid challenge and just let things be the way they are.
• To escape the present moment.
• To blame another, the society, the economy, religion, politicians, parents, job, boss, etc.
• To get to be right.
• To manipulate others.

When we buy into these payoffs, we see the world as tough, unfair, nasty, war like, mean and dangerous. Holding this perspective, we think: “Life is a bitch.”

When we don’t buy into these payoffs, we see the world as a great opportunity, where set-backs are lessons to learn and to grow from.  Holding this perspective leads to the sense that “It’s a beautiful world.”

How do you see life?

Step 3:  What is a resolve?  

A resolve is a firm, determined, fixity of purpose, a 100% committed mental decision stated as truth in the present tense that makes your imagery (Part II) become solid in the material world.

Step 4: Do the litmus test: Is it true?  

How to make the shift in the mind to a new paradigm that gets you what you want.  Here are some sample dialogues to show how apply the test of whether something is absolutely true:

Example 1:  A person had a cancerous tumor removed and they’re afraid it may come back.

Dialogue: Do you think your cancer may come back? “Yes, I’m afraid it might come back.”

Are you 100% certain that it will come back?  “No, I am not 100% certain.”

What is the opposite thought?  “All cancer has been successfully destroyed and removed from my body permanently. Thank you God.”

Are you 100% certain that your cancer has been successfully destroyed and removed from your body permanently.”  “No, I am not 100% certain.”

Does it make sense to think a thought, “I’m worried cancer may come back” which may or may not be true but when you think it you sabotage yourself and remain stuck in fear and doubt, inviting the cancer to come back?

Or does it make more sense to think, “All cancer has been successfully destroyed and removed from my body permanently, thank you God,” which may or may not be true but when you think it you bring about the desired outcome, while generating a feel good space within yourself?

Since both thoughts are equally uncertain, which thought do you choose?  The one that sabotages you or the one that gets you what you want?

The shift to the opposite thought is an example of how the opposite thought is the resolve.

Example 2:  A person with an irregular heart beat develops a resolve that is different from the opposite thought, but the opposite thought is where the shift takes place that allows for the development of the resolve to support the shift in consciousness.

Dialogue:  Is it difficult to get your heart beat under control?  “Yes, it keeps getting out of control and it’s scary.”

“Are you 100% absolutely certain that is going to be difficult to get your heart beat under control? “No, I’m not sure. But, my history tells me it’s been difficult.”

What’s the opposite thought? “It’s easy to get my heart beat under control.”

Does it make sense to think a thought, “It’s difficult to get my heart beat under control“ which may or may not be true but when you think it you sabotage yourself and remain stuck in fear and worry?

Or does it make more sense to think “It’s easy to get my heart beat under control” which may or may not be true but when you think it increase the likelihood of the desired outcome, simultaneously generating a good feeling within yourself?

Both thoughts are equally uncertain; you have a choice of which to choose.

A wise choice would be the new thought, “I’m confident that it’s easy to my heart beat under control.”  

Now here is an example of a resolve that supports this shift in consciousness.   

“I surrender all to God.  My heart is healed.    My heart beats to the rhythm of love.  My heart beats normally and naturally all the time.  My heart is in perfect health.”

Now that you have made the shift in mind and you’ve created your resolve you must reinforce it daily by repeating it aloud as often as possible, especially when you find yourself caught in the trap of your excuses.

And at least once a day go into a deep relaxed meditative state and repeat it while viewing your picture of what you are 100% committed to manifesting.

PART II:    Using your imagination to create pictures

This part is about creating images to correspond and support your resolve, vocabulary and thoughts.  Words plus pictures are mechanisms that create physical changes.  We use pictures to enhance our words and our vocabulary.

Thoughts and pictures combined with feelings enhance the power of the process, although such visualization is not essential.

How to create a picture

Step 1:  Create a mental picture of the object or situation in the present as if it already exists in the material world.

Step 2:  Imagine yourself having, being or doing what you resolve.  Include as many details as possible.

Image for working with Cancer:  

See your immune system as sizzling hot water, strong, powerful and cancer as dirty weak little ice cubes being melted away by the hot water and being naturally eliminated from the body.  Imagine going to the doctor for your check up and having him/her tell you, “It's a miracle!  You have zero symptoms.  You are cancer-free!”

Or see your immune system as a ray gun, like in star trek, zapping and disintegrating your cancer tumor and it being eliminated from your body through natural processes.

Image for working with Irregular heartbeat:  

See your heart smiling as a clock with the second hand moving second by second in perfect rhythm beating 60 beats per minute.

Or see your heart being held in the hands of Infinite Energy with brilliant, dazzling, scintillating white light pulsating from the hands of the Infinite permeating every cell of your heart, soothing it, healing it, loving it unconditionally.

Part III:    Relaxation for programming

The mechanisms for change are imagination and resolve done in a relaxed state while at rest in a deeply relaxed (alpha wave) mind.  
There are four different kinds of brain-waves found for different activities:  

1.Beta – The waking state
2.Alpha – The relaxed state
3.Theta – The dream state
4.Delta – The sleep state

Being in a deeply relaxed state while using a resolve that supports your image is a highly effective programming process. There are several ways to enter into a deep state of relaxation.  Here is one example:

Focus your eyes upward towards the eyebrows. Counting backwards from 25 to 1, remembering with each descending number you are going deeper and deeper, reaching deeper levels of mind, deeper levels of relaxation, going deeper and deeper with each and every breath.  And when you reach the number one you will be totally and completely relaxed.  

An effective five step process to program one self is:
 

1. Relax counting backward from 25 to 1.
2. State your resolve.
3. Create your picture.
4. Support your picture by repeating your resolve while imagining the outcome.
5. Throughout the day repeat your resolve aloud and recall your imagery as often as possible.

Let’s take a little deeper look at this five step process.

First, close your eyes focusing them upwards towards the eyebrows, towards the frontal lobe of the brain and count backwards from 25 to 1.
Second, make your resolve mentally and silently to yourself stating your resolve three times in the present tense. 
Third, create a picture that mirrors your resolve. 
Fourth, mentally imagine your resolve happening while in this relaxed state.  Be as detailed as you like.  While viewing your picture apply your resolve periodically to reinforce your imagery.  Stay in this state for about 10 to 20 minutes.

When finished tell yourself I am going to count from 1 to 5 and on the count of 5 I will be alert, wide awake, feeling fine and in perfect health, feeling better then before.

Now count from 1 to 5 and state upon opening your eyes, I am alert, wide awake, feeling fine and in perfect heath, feeling better than before.
Fifth, throughout the day repeat your resolve aloud and recall your imagery as often as possible.

It is really that simple.  

The secret to the process is practice at least once a day while deeply relaxed and then throughout the day repeat your resolve aloud remembering the picture that matches the resolve in order to continually reinforce the program, impressing it upon the mind.

Summary

Points to remember when moving from unwanted thoughts to wanted supportive positive thoughts in order you get what you intend:

Tell yourself the truth and own your payoffs.
Take responsibility for your thoughts rather than leaving it up to random thinking.
Do the litmus test on your excuse you tell yourself.  Ask is it true?
Ask yourself what would your life look like if got rid of all your excuses.  
.Create pictures that support your new language, your new vocabulary, your resolve.
Relax while doing your resolve, while picturing what mirrors your resolve.
Daily repeat your resolve throughout the day.
Maintain fixity of purpose with this process, be willing to be successful with this process and be willing to allow success in.
Have purpose in life and live your purpose.
Make your #1 priority in life your relationship to Source Energy and in serving others.
Learn to meditate in line with your religious or spiritual tendencies.
Practice, practice, practice the paradigm.
The paradigm shift is not based on your idea of I deserve what you want but on your wiliness to experience what you want and on your being willing to allow change.
Be willing to make the change and be willing to allow whatever you are committed to experience.

*This information (Litmus Test) was gleaned from my study of Dr. Wayne Dyer's work, although the applications were developed by my own experimentation.  

Please note that the information presented in this article is not intended as a medical prescription, scientific fact, or as a substitue for professional medical care, but rather as possibilities for self-experimentation. 

For further reading, I recommend the following sources:

“Excuses Be Gone” Dr. Wayne Dyer
“You the Healer” Jose Silva
“Creative Visualization” Shakti Gawain
“Yoga Sutras, Book II, Verse 33” Swami Veda Bharati
“Cancer Conqueror” Greg Anderson

About the Author Richard Parenti:  Swami Veda Bharati initiated Richard into the Himalayan Yoga Tradition. He has also studied with such notables as Walt Baptiste, Dr. Jeffery Bland, Dr. Larry Payne, Roy Eugene Davis, Dr. Rammurti S. Mishra, and Dr. Ralph Jeffery’s.  Richard is the spiritual guide of the Yoga Health Institute and is a published author, "Naked Before God," “Cancer, No Easy Choices” and "Who Am I".  He is an international lecturer, Yoga Health Coach, Certified Ayurveda Nutrition Practitioner, Certified First Line Therapist Life Style Educator© and member of the California Yoga Teachers Association.  He has taught Yoga for people with multiple sclerosis for the past four years and was awarded in 2008 by the MS Society of Northern California as having the ideal Yoga class for MS patients.  Richard's website is found at www.yoga-ehealth.com

The situations that produce mind quakes in others leave a meditator’s mind well alone to enjoy its stillness. Meditators do not suffer mind quakes even during earthquakes.

I recall my first earthquake in Dehradun, India, when I must have been about 9 or 10 years old.  The whole family had gone out somewhere and I was absolutely alone.  I felt the ground and the house shaking, my mind said this is an earthquake!  Something inside me made me run out of the house,  jump down two steps from the platform on which the house was built, into the middle of the road and I stood there fascinated until the earthquake subsided then went back in.  I recall a fascination but not a fear.

I do not know if this would be the case with other 9 or 10 years old alone at home during an earthquake.

At Margit Jacob's House in Napa Valley
 
Back sometime in the 1980’s I used to hold weekend retreats in the house of Margit Jacob in Napa Valley California.  We were all in Margit’s yoga hut, everyone lying in shavasana and I sitting and guiding a long relaxation practice.  An earthquake came and there was no faltering, nor any movement from those lying in shavasana.  We just continued as though nothing was happening.  After the session was over we did then comment to each other “yes there was an earthquake”.

Manuel Fernandez  in Chili

Manuel Fernandez has practiced under Tibetan Lamas for nearly a decade.  He has done many silent meditation retreats.  He has also been living in our ashram for over 5 years.  PhD in cultural anthropology from University of California, Berkeley, he has helped develop our research programmes at our Meditation Research Laboratory.

Recently Manuel had to leave to go back home to his native Chile, when the recent Chilean earthquake struck.  Below are two of the comments we have received from him.

“Since I am in a 14th floor I figured I had nowhere to escape, so I just relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful view of the city shaking from my panoramic window.”

“Today I was teaching a yoga class to one single student in my apartment and we had two strong earthquakes, one of them was about 7 Richter! and then we had many aftershocks, some quite strong. Yet we continued with the class until the end. When I was doing the final relaxation I was very aware of my voice and I noticed every time there was an aftershock my voice was about to break but I managed to relax enough so my voice was not affected and I don´t think the student noticed any change in my voice.”

These events show that Meditation does indeed liberate us from our fears.  The situations that produce mind quakes in others leave a meditator’s mind well alone to enjoy its stillness.

Here is another Earthquake story which may help some people.

Joanne Sullivan’s account

It was 1980, Arcata, California. In the wee hours, an earthquake rattled and roared like a giant train tearing through the room. My husband said "grab the baby" and we ran outside. I was calm because I had gone to sleep from meditation and the mantra was still strong when the earthquake awakened us. I knew that we were all quite safe.

But then something strange happened. Over the next two weeks of aftershocks, I started thinking about the experience, about how we were standing on largely liquid---not solid ground. Then, one night, in utter panic, I phoned my friend Sherry and asked her to come over.

"John is at work and Isaac is only 2 months old. I do not want to create fear in him," I said.

"I'll be there in 15 minutes," she said.

No sooner did I hang up the phone rang. It was Dr. Arya. "Hello?" his whole being came pouring through the phone lines. "Joanne? Is this the Joanne Sullivan who died in an earthquake?"

"Oh, Panditji," I sighed.

"I heard there was an earthquake there but the lines were tied up. Are you all okay?"

"Yes, but I'm scared."

"Joanne, have you no faith in God?" he said.

"No, Panditji."

Then he proceeded to tell me two scary stories about earthquakes. "Did you hear about the earthquake that swallowed a man and his banana stand? The ground opened and closed around him. He ate bananas and drank water from an underground stream for three days until they dug him out."

Meanwhile, I am thinking "Why is he telling me this? I am already scared!" as he launches into another true disaster tale, this time about a man walking along the beach on a perfect day when a tsunami comes along and pulls him out to sea. We lived close to the ocean coast at the time so this was not particularly heartening to hear.

"He woke up the next day on the beach," he said.

"Oh."

Dr. Arya said a few more words and gave his blessings. By the time we hung up, my fears were gone. Based on the true stories of disasters he was telling me, I expected to be yet more frightened. I wasn't. I don't know what he did.

Soon after, something in me decided that an earthquake was an event of great power with billions of tons of earth moving below my feet. Awe, not fear, was more in order.

Mind lessons still not learned. The night of the event, buddhi, the discriminating mind beyond reason, was in charge. Over the next two weeks, I had let manas, the so-called rational mind, get the upper hand. This is a perfect example of what Swami Rama writes about in Meditation and its Practice and the difficulties we can get into when, through old habits, ahankara, the I-maker, or manas (lower mind, the part that "reasons") does not let buddhi do its job and guide you.

Karma and God’s Grace

What I was trying to tell Joanne was that it does not necessarily mean that harm will come to you and that your karma and God’s grace may save you through unexpected means.