copyright Soul Arcanum LLC, 1998
Part I: Optimism and Pessimism
“Most people live, whether physically, intellectually or morally, in a very restricted circle of their potential being. They make use of a very small portion of their possible consciousness, and of their soul’s resources in general, much like a man who, out of his whole bodily organism, should get into a habit of using and moving only his little finger. Great emergencies and crises show us how much greater our vital resources are than we had supposed.” William James
Would you like to be able to create whatever you want in your life? Imagine for a moment that you have a magic genie in a bottle, or a magic potion or wand that, like some charming children’s movie, gives you the power to zap into being anything you wish. It also gives you the power, as so often happens in such movies, to “mess up” and create chaos and things you don’t want also. These whimsical movies reflect in a gross way the universal reality that our thoughts do create our experiences. That which we give our attention to, we attract. “Where thoughts go, energy flows.”
This means, of course, that optimists are confirmed in their optimism, and pessimists are confirmed in their habits of thought also. Optimists expect things to work out somehow, and because they give their attention to what they do want with expectancy, this is what manifests in their experience. Pessimists, on the other hand, generally also create what they habitually worry about. Of course, the Universe is a benevolent place, and everything does work out in the end. Often what this means, however, is that eventually, through difficult experiences, pessimists learn how to alter their expectations and beliefs to more deliberately create what they are wanting in life.
This dynamic is supported by quantum theory , which has shown that there is no such thing as an “objective” experience, even when supposed controls are applied. It’s been proven that the outcome of an experiment is influenced by the expectation of observers. There are no fixed laws, even when dealing with “physical” reality.
Part II: Thoughts are as Real as Actions and Things
Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force, that thoughts rule the world. – Emerson
It is my understanding that everything we experience in “reality” has its beginnings in the non-physical. Every thought we think is a seed. Every time we think the same thought over again, we water that seed. When we think such a thought with emotion, we fertilize it. The more intense our desire or fear regarding such a thought, the more likely it is to come into our experience, and the faster it will manifest.
Thoughts are just as real as actions, but exist at a much higher and faster frequency. We may have a thought about wanting to kiss a companion, for example. This thought erupts from pure spirit or consciousness, like a spark. As we think it, it begins to slow, moving into the vibrational realm of feelings. We think the thought, then we have a feeling about it. We might feel excited or nervous. Depending on our feelings about it, we then have more thoughts and more feelings, while deciding what to do. As this process unfolds, the vibrations slow, and we eventually move into the realm of action (or no action, if that is the decided course of action). The same is true of things. We think of a butterfly, and eventually that thought slows until we experience/perceive/attract butterflies.
This can be compared to water, which at a high rate of vibration is steam, but which, as it cools, condenses into water, which we can perceive with our physical senses, and as it cools further, becomes apparently solid. Water is a great metaphor for all aspects of “physical” versus “non-physical.” It is difficult to communicate about anything spiritual or “psychic” without using the terms “physical” and “non-physical.” Here, “non-physical” refers to that which cannot be experienced through the five physical senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell). The “physical” in this case represents that which is made manifest (appears to the senses) on this vibrational plane of reality. When we are alive, we are like water (or perhaps some of us are like ice) but when we pass into spirit, we become like steam. We may then re-emerge into the physical (reincarnate) through a slowing of our vibration into another physical incarnation.
There is only one main law that must mastered in order to create what we want in our lives. It sounds simple, but it requires extraordinary conscious awareness of our thoughts. Of course, the more conscious and deliberate we are in choosing our thoughts, the more we are able to focus our experiences in desired directions. This is generally referred to as the Law of Attraction. I’m indebted to the Abraham Hicks material for the expansion of my understanding of the law of attraction over the past few years, though I’ve found the same law and principles in diverse teachings.
(For further information, explore the works of Florence Scovel Shin, the six book series The Lives and Teachings of the Masters of the Far East by Spalding, Creative Visualization by Gawain, The Conversation with God books by Walsch, and quantum theory. If one pays attention, this same law or principle can be found in perhaps all spiritual or esoteric teachings, even the Bible and Eastern philosophies.)
Part III: How to Pray
“Ask and ye shall receive” is a truth. We ask with our desire, with what we give our attention to. Our thoughts and feelings are magnetic, drawing that which is focused upon into our lives. Jack may really want a particular job that would involve a promotion at work, for example. He may say to himself (or the Universe), “Oh, I would really love to have that job. I hope I get that job.” While he’s thinking this, he’s picturing himself in that position, happy, fulfilled. He’s imagining the new office, sitting at the new desk, performing the new tasks. This is a powerful way to create what he’s seeking. The Universe responds to his desire impersonally, for it’s not about whether or not he deserves it, it’s about what he’s in harmony with receiving. The All That Is of pure potentiality responds to the energy of him wanting that job, and being happy and fulfilled in that job. By visualizing himself in that job, he is already in the process of creating this in his experience. He has only to allow his thoughts and imaginings to filter down to manifest into the “reality” of this plane.
The specifics of the job are also not as important as the feeling state he is desiring to create in his life. In his visualization, he is bringing himself into harmony with the feeling state he desires. He achieves the feeling literally in the moment of visualization simply through picturing himself gaining what he desires, and feeling happy in that position. By becoming it in his fantasy, he is led to the creation of more of the same feeling state in the future.
By contrast, Joe may desire the same job and promotion. He may say to himself, “Oh, I really want that job, but I’m worried I won’t get it. It would be so great to get it (he sees himself in the job), and if I don’t get it, I don’t know what I’ll do (pictures himself depressed and worrying over a stack of unpaid bills). If Jack gets it, (pictures Jack in the job), I’ll be so mad! I’m way more qualified than he is. Those yahoos upstairs don’t appreciate all the energy I put into my work, and my experience and skills. (Pictures a superior or set of superiors at work with anger).
This creates conflicted energy. He both summons desire for the job, and resistance to not getting it. Therefore, he sends a small amount of energy toward getting the job, but more energy toward creating depression, stress over bills, and anger between himself and superiors at work. He also sends energy toward Jack getting the job instead. Joe focuses on feeling unappreciated, and is likely to attract experiences that confirm this expectation.
Some people naturally speak and think in ways that are effective, while others have a habit of thinking in ineffective ways. One can often detect how deliberate a creator someone is by the way they express themselves. For example:
- “I hope the weather stays nice like this. It’s so beautiful out!” (This is effective for it leads to more beautiful weather) “I hope it doesn’t rain! That would be a bummer!” (This is ineffective, for it leads to rain and feelings that are not wanted.)
- “I want to create harmony and happiness in this relationship. I know we can do it if we try.” (This is effective, for it leads to harmony, happiness and empowerment.)
- “I don’t want to fight with you. I hate it when we fight. I can’t take this anymore, this has to change!” (This is ineffective, leading to more fighting and frustration.)
- “I’ve decided to move to San Francisco. There are lots and lots of people who have done this. There must be an infinite number of options for how I can make this happen. Let’s see, I could…” (This is effective, leading to positive visualization and creative problem solving.)
- “I wish I could move to move to San Francisco, but I hear it’s so expensive out there. The job market is tight, and a tiny apartment costs what a nice house costs here. And what about those earth quakes?” (Clearly, this is ineffective, unless one is trying to talk oneself out of it! This train of thought leads to negative, pessimistic feelings, and if the move is undertaken, undesirable experiences with finances and perhaps even earth quakes.)
In this last example, the effective person thinking or speaking has opened themselves not only to creative problem solving, but to the limitless resources of the Universe. Their thoughts are “in line” with their desires. The ineffective thinker, however, sends energy in direct opposition to what is expressed as desired. Note also the difference in feeling between saying, “I wish…,” which is weak and implies it’s unlikely to happen, and “I’ve decided.” Saying “I’ve decided” sets things strongly into motion.
This leads us to the most effective way to pray. Many of us are taught that “God” is an angry, “jealous” paternal being whom we must beg for favors, and who will grant them to us if we are “good.” While this may be true of some human folks (especially parents), God is not limited by the ego issues of “man.” When we pray in supplication, we come from a place of lack. What we really say when we pray, “Please, please, God, let me find the money to pay my rent” is “I don’t have the money! Help! I don’t have the money!” We tell the Universe we don’t have the money, and we get more of not having the money in our experience.
The Bible says we are made “in the image of God.” This means we too are creators. God gives us free will in how we choose to create. It is said that God helps those who help themselves. We must learn how to create what we desire by developing faith (applied optimism) and focused thought. The best way to pray then, is to visualize what we desire as already having happened, and to give thanks in our knowing that what we need and desire is already coming to us. To pray is to appreciate. It is to express an attitude of gratitude. The more we count our blessings, the more blessings come to us. The more we worry and pray for help due to some suffering, fear or lack, the more suffering, lack and fearful experiences we will draw to us.
Part IV: Becoming a More Deliberate Creator
The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts. – Charles Darwin
Following are some exercises or things to keep in mind as you begin to take more responsibility and control over what you attract into your life.
- Pay attention to your fantasies. Daydreams (and night dreams) and the themes that run through our minds are like the trailers to movies. They show us what we’re in the process of manifesting. If we’re daydreaming about how we’re afraid we’re going to not make our sales quota, or how we may lose that important case in court, it’s time to shift gears and begin imagining ourselves creating what we do want. If we’re daydreaming about choking our neighbor because her dog barks all night long, and because when we request help with the matter she’s rude, it’s wise to know that we’re likely to experience more negativity from that neighbor, even if we’re polite on the surface. Thoughts are things!
- Listen to yourself. Pay attention to your language. Especially watch yourself for phrases such as “I hope,” “I wish,” and “I’ve decided.” Also, watch for “buts.” The word “but” is used to contradict what was just expressed. Pay attention to how often you are talking about what you want, versus what you don’t want. Let go of what you don’t want, and shift to focusing on what you do.
- Try starting small. Imagine a small thing that you’d like to come to you. You’re far less likely to have resistance to creating this in your experience, and your beliefs are likely to be less challenged by a smaller desire. As you get good at this, you can aim higher and higher, for your belief in your ability to create in your own experience will expand. You might try playing with this a bit by choosing something whimsical. Over the years, as I’ve played a lot with manifesting, I’ve had some funny and amazing experiences. A really enjoyable thing to try to manifest is friendly people. After a surprisingly negative experience with a Canadian customs official at the beginning of a trip, my girlfriend who is also a very conscious creator and I decided to manifest happy people from there on out. The two of us together created some intense synergy. The rest of our trip was almost like the Twilight Zone. People were literally hysterically friendly. Wherever we went, strangers joked with us, went out of their ways to help us, and practically rolled out red carpets. It was in no way subtle or mistakable. We found ourselves bursting out laughing time after time.
- Try drawing a picture of what you’re wanting in your life. Really allow yourself to get into the flow of picturing yourself in the future with everything as you want it to be. Or you might try writing a story about how you got from where you now are to where you want to be, as if it’s already happened. The more you can suspend disbelief or resistance, the better. Writing and drawing allow us to get out of what is “practical” and dream our way into what we want. Remember that the potential is unlimited.
Your well-being does not come at the expense of others. Just as there is not a limited amount of “happiness” or “health” on the planet, there is no need to worry that you’ll attract more than your share of anything. Your being happy does not mean someone else must be depressed to balance things out. In fact, your being healthy, wealthy and wise makes it easier for others to follow in your footsteps.
It’s important to appreciate those things in our experiences that we don’t want, as well as the blessings we already have. Just as without darkness, we would not know light, so it is with contrast. When we experience something and we know we don’t like it, we suddenly know what we do want. Thank the contrast, and then pivot away from it with grace. Shoving away from it tends to ricochet us right back into it, for then we think of it with intense emotion. The more we can find peace with what we don’t want, the easier it is to flow with intense desire toward what is wanted.
Also, it’s good to embrace wanting. Desire is what keeps us alive. Without desire, we wouldn’t be here. It’s all about wanting to live, wanting to experience, wanting, wanting, wanting (not necessarily having, having, having!) Perhaps we’re very altruistic, and all we want to do is give, but this is still satisfying some desire in ourselves to give. I’m not saying we should do whatever we want without regard to others. I’m saying that if we are in harmony with our inner being’s desires, we will naturally want to do what is best for us, and this will naturally be what is also best for others. Sometimes, others may not see that at the time. We may want to end a relationship that another wants us to stay in. From a greater perspective, when we act in harmony with our own heart’s desire to move toward something else, we afford that other person the opportunity to work through their own fears and dependencies.
To want is a beautiful thing. It is wanting that birthed this world, and desire that draws us together to create new life, both physically and metaphysically.
One must not lose desires. They are mighty stimulants to creativeness, to love and to long life. – Alexander Bogomoletz
