CATALYST NEWS

Eva Dahm, CPCC, MA

January, 2006

Dedicated to your growth and exploration.

YOU ARE A DIVINE SOUL LEARNING LESSONS

We are routinely so busy focusing on our humanity (staying active) that we frequently do not connect with our divinity. You've probably heard the notion that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. A very Eastern idea which implies we are simply souls here to learn lessons. (a la Gary Zukav's books)

As we live, we accumulate grievances, shame, blame, guilt and fear in the form of limiting beliefs. When a child is in the womb until they are twelve years old, they do not have any adult mental capacity for filters. So when Mom or Dad imply the world is a scary place, they believe it without question. Thus a limiting belief forms, and they fear going outside or going to new places or being alone.

Many of these beliefs are transferred without thinking by well-meaning parents, friends or others. Other beliefs are societal and are wide spread beliefs like "my past mistakes are unforgivable" or "the other guy is out to get me." Some of these beliefs are practically in our DNA as humans. These generational beliefs account for society's push to conformity. If a member of the caveman tribe wanted to draw on the walls rather than hunt for meat, the whole tribe could be at risk. So even today, those in our society who are different are shunned and scorned.

Bottom line is these beliefs interfere with our greatness. They hold us back and keep us "playing small". Financial security beliefs keep so many people from leaving jobs and careers they despise, it's practically an epidemic. Fears of uncertain future and lack of self-confidence block many of us from moving ahead with that wild dream we'd love to pursue.

CHANGE YOUR SCRIPTS

However, these beliefs are simply the words we play over and over in our heads and use to hold ourselves hostage. So when we can first OBSERVE these thoughts and then CHANGE them, we are free. Don't get me wrong this is a simple process but as "A Course in Miracles" say it's not easy.

Learning to observe your thoughts is a challenge since most of us are on auto pilot and thoughts are running amok. MEDITATION is one way to learn to observe thoughts. Many clients have told me they are not good at meditating because they still have thoughts. I believe thoughts will continue to come (at a slower and slower pace) when you meditate. However, as you practice you will notice the thoughts and let them float away like a blue summer day cloud.

So meditating successfully is being able to observe thoughts floating slowly along and perhaps finally to notice gaps (as Wayne Dyer describes) of time with no thoughts. Even miniscule gaps give us a sense of a deeper peace and calm-our divine selves and the eye of the storm. The key is not getting stressed out over the continued popping of your Popcorn Mind. Judging meditations as good/bad or right/wrong is a way for the ego to keep us stuck.

YOGA is another way to learn to observe without judgment. My yoga teacher practices Amrit yoga. The focus on the asana (position) is then balanced with a time of standing quietly to absorb the energy we have created into our bodies. So the routine is slow, meditative, and teaches noticing and witnessing without assigning judgment.

Both of these suggestions focus on getting present to NOW moments. Many of us marvel at children and their wonder with life. A portion of the marvelous world view of children is because they are in this moment not the past (in guilt) or the future (in fear or worry).

MOVE NEGATIVES TO NEUTRAL

So turn up the juice and stay present and follow your mind. Notice your thoughts. I've mentioned before that driving is a great way to notice judgments of other cars. If you are in an airport or another public place, notice your judgments of others you watch. Practice neutralizing negatives first.

Catch yourself in judgment of another and purposely substitute a neutral thought. "Oh, that car just cut in front of me. He must be in a hurry to get home to his family. Perhaps someone he knows is in the hospital, and he is going there. Possibly she is on her phone and did not notice me."

This shift is huge because what we say to others boomerangs back to ourselves. A gigantic change in how you feel about yourself happens when you make this simple change to neutral. I heard from one of my best friends years ago that "what goes around, comes around." And I believe it is true on many levels.

Usually when someone gives out hurt and pain, it comes home to roost. An old boss of mine who delighted in firing others was caught bribing a city official and left the company scorned.

On a deeper level, since like attracts like, when we talk negatively about others we attract negative people and experiences to ourselves. Also I believe our thought are created in our world as "real things." So when we focus on lack or fear we create it for ourselves.

If all you ever accomplish is shifting negatives to neutral, you are greatly blessed. And then the next step is even easier.

So stop NOW, this moment. What thoughts were you just thinking? What is your mood?

NEXT MONTH: Turning Neutral or Negative Thoughts/Beliefs to Positive