How Your Own Mind Works

"You have a mind, and you should learn how to use it." 

When I read this sentence, the first one of the next chapter in Murphy's book, I can't help but pause. You have a mind...and you should learn how to use it. When I read this sentence I am left speechless or thoughtless really- for a moment because it never really occurred to me that I didn't know how to use my mind. It's like someone saying to me hey did you know that hole in your face is used for eating and speaking? Or man you should really learn how to use those five fingers on your hand- pick up something..give it a try.

I have heard in the past from various different sources that we as humans only use 10% of our brains. Of course as time has gone on there have been several disputes and conversations about that statement. However, many doctors are willingly able to admit that there is still a necessary amount of research to be done on the capabilities of the brain and what causes certain things to happen. I think about women who have hysterical pregnancies and become so convinced  they are carrying a child that they begin showing physical signs of being pregnant. I think about my sister who, when she was on this earth, had a perfectly healthy body but was in constant pain and no amount of drugs could provide relief. I also think about people who in times of dire stress and necessity are suddenly able to perform incredible tasks like lifting cars off of people in danger or how placebos can cure mysterious illnesses. Is it our minds that open up the gates to these physical pathways?

You have a mind, and you should learn how to use it.

In this chapter, Dr. Murphy now continues his transition from a writer of a book, to a loving teacher. He begins to explain that there are two levels of your mind- the conscious mind and the subconscious. He clearly outlines that the conscious mind is the one that you think with. This is the mind that is constantly playing that never ending record of whatever type of music (thoughts) you decide to put on. The subconscious is, as Murphy refers to it, the creative mind and also the seat of our emotions. He then goes on to state that there is a basic principle of, if you think good, good will follow and if you think evil then evil will follow. It is a basic theorem of if A, then B...etc.

One of the things that I love most about this book is that there is really only one main idea. That is, you have control over your subconscious mind and whatever you think will be manifested. Murphy really could have written one sentence and been done with it, case closed. It's that simple. However, like any good teacher Murphy goes on to explain how this ideal works, why is it works, evidence from those who have used it, and how you too, can change your life by changing your thoughts.

I think about my kindergarten students in this moment and how many times I have to teach the same concept in several different ways. I have to know my students interests, likes, dislikes, and their learning styles and then figure out how to best reach them. As I reach for their minds I am also reaching for their hearts. How can I get that lightbulb to turn on? How do I know they get it? Many of times I will go to great lengths to get this to happen- including a performance of a song and dance.

Murphy only has the best intentions for his readers and it is the repetition that provides the brilliancy of this book. If his readers didn't understand it the first time, maybe they will the second, third and fourth. And if you did understand it right away, you will now been shown the depth that it can reach.

I can't help but feel peaceful when I read this book. Especially since it seems so easy to make the changes necessary for a joyous life. Murphy says that, "Peace of mind and a healthy body are inevitable when you begin to think and feel in the right way." Already, in just four days of consistently spending time reading this book I already feel a difference. I have been struggling with panic attacks stemming from claustrophobia and certain social situations. This can be difficult when you are a leader of 24 little 5 and 6 year olds. Recently, before beginning this book I had to take my students on a field trip to a theater where we would see the play, "Pinnochio." The idea alone was enough to drive me into a sheer panic and the stress I was feeling caused me to be snappy and judgemental of my co-workers. As the days lead up to the field trip I continued to play that broken record over and over again. "I have anxiety, this is going to be hard, i'm so nervous, I might have a panic attack, what if I have a panic attack, everyone will be looking at me, I'm such a bad teacher, parents will think I'm a freak, I'll get fired, I'll scare my students". It took me about 30 seconds to write that, and maybe about only 10 to think those things. I thought them all..day...long... I was demanding my subconscious to panic and to worry. I even cried the morning of the field trip as I got ready fearing the worst.

Fast forward to today, where I had 4 straight hours of parent teacher conferences. Each moment that I felt the slightest inkling of unrest I directed my brain to hold onto a positive, uplifting thought. Again, my focuses for this week were Psalms 112:7 and "miracles will happen". By the end of my four hours of conferencing I still felt alert, awake, and energized. In fact, I came home and ended up cleaning my entire house! (Mopped the floors and all...something that is usually only reserved for Sunday afternoons).

As I train my subconscious to focus on thoughts that are good, pure, happy, and true it will only become stronger. Four days and I have already seen a change. I know that it is important to continue to read each day to keep up on the practice and have set aside at least an hour each day to read and blog. However, what surprises me is how easy it has been to open the book and read. When you find something that brings you peace and joy it is not work.

Piece by piece, I am unlocking the freedom that Murphy talks about in his book. Once you have decreed it, it is yours. I cannot wait until the day that I can write in this blog about how I've become a professional writer, or how I just bought my first house in Carmel.

I have a mind...and I am learning how to use it.

One part of this instructional chapter that cannot be ignored is the idea of suggestion. It is incredible what words from another human can do to us. Murphy uses the story of a nervous man on a boat, who may have been feeling healthy at the moment, but another passenger walks up to him and says, "my dear fellow, you're looking very ill. Aren't you feeling sick? You look to me as if you were going to be seasick." Of course in that moment the man accepts the suggestion as true and becomes sick. Our brain is subject to suggestions all day long, rather we realize it or not. As a teacher I feel as though we in the profession have to be immensely careful of the suggestions we give to young children. I have heard countless stories of teachers that either believed in- or destroyed the future for a students with his or her words. I still remember the best suggestions I received (that I should be a teacher, professor, or lawyer..that I am intellingent) and the worst. A dance teacher of mine, right before an important audition, stopped the music, looked at me and told me that he wasn't sure what I was doing but somehow I was not dancing as well as the others. Needless to say I took the suggestion literally and was unable to remember the choreography during the audition. I allowed this teacher to make an impression on my subconscious mind. Some of the worst suggestions are ones that I have made to myself out of intense worry or fear. It is amazing what we allow ourselves to feed our minds and it is dangerous to our well being. With all of the suggestions we receive daily from the news, peers, and society as a whole around us, Murphy teaches us a vital survival tool- how to build immunity.

He says the dictionary defines a suggestion as, " the act of instance of putting something into one's mind, the mental process by which the thought or the idea suggested is entertained, accepted, or put into effect." and he makes the point that a suggestion cannot be impressed on the subconscious mind against the will of the conscious mind.

Murphy goes on to describe several real life examples of people who overcame fears and anxieties based on suggestion. As always, the most important thing to do is to change your thoughts. In these instances the person making a change decided on a mantra, or decree, and stated it several times daily. During these times the man or woman would sit alone comfortably, relaxed and calm before making their declaration to their subconscious mind. By doing this in a relaxed state the mind became more passive and receptive to the suggestion.

Each night as I have been going to bed, and each morning as I meditate for 20 minutes, I have allowed myself to focus on suggestions of health, clarity, calmness, and joy. It is almost as though I am entering a dream like state to create my dream like life.

In this chapter, Murphy writes one of his most important sentences which is, "Remember, you have the capacity to choose. Choose life! Choose love! Choose health!" We have a choice to live the life we want. For some people I think this may be too much pressure. They would rather not take responsibility for the direction of their life and would rather blame it on things like the government, their parents, or some other factor. We have a choice...we have a choice! Ring the bells and sound the alarms, we have a choice of how we want to live our lives.

I today, am choosing to live a life that is healthy, happy, blessed and whole. It is going to be miraculous. I hope you will join me.


Other items from this chapter:
* "You are what you think all day long."

* "The suggestions and statements of others have no power to hurt you. The only power is the movement of your own thought. You can choose to reject the thoughts or statements of others and affirm the good. You have the power to choose how you will react."

* "You are the captain of your soul (subconscious mind) and the master of your fate. Remember, you have the capacity to choose. Choose life! Choose love! Choose health! Choose happiness!"

*"My subconscious knows the answer. It is responding to me now. I give thanks because I know the infinite intelligence of my subconscious knows all things and is revealing the perfect answer to me now. My real conviction is now setting free the majesty and glory of my subconscious mind. I rejoice that it is so. "