Meditation - The Power of Pretence

Have you ever had the experience of being supplied with the information that you need 'just at the right time'? It could be that someone sends you an e-mail, telephones you, you hear the information on the radio or see it on TV (normally at a time when it seems like just pure coincidence). You know my definition of coincidence don't you? 'God's way of remaining anonymous'. My thoughts on why this happens is either because our thoughts are tapping into similar minded thoughts that are in the ether 'in the great 'Universal Mind' - this could even be called mind power, or that we are really focusing on this thought.

It was just such a situation that happened with me recently when I was pondering on “fears are just tricks of the mind”. (You are not really going to get crushed in a lift – you just think that you dislike confined spaces and this can get into your subconscious mind).

And then I heard the statement on ABC Radio’s AM Program: “New research suggests there may be a link between glandular fever and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), whereby the fever damages an area of the brain, which is then tricked into thinking the body is unwell and subsequently sends out messages of fatigue and pain.”

Glandular Fever and CFS Research

My research (on the internet) uncovered that both the ABC radio report and a Report in the Sydney Morning Herald were referring to an article in the “Journal of Infectious Diseases”. This article reported on a 12 month study of 39 Australians with glandular fever, including eight patients who had developed chronic fatigue syndrome, and it was found that neither the virus nor an abnormal immune response explained the difference between the two groups.

The researchers said the study found personality style such as neuroticism and psychological disorders like depression failed to predict long term illness. Lead researcher Andrew Lloyd, of the University of NSW, said the study was part of the on-going “Dubbo Infection Outcomes Study”, which was tracking the long term health of people infected with Ross River virus, Q fever infection and Epstein-Barr virus, which causes glandular fever. 700 people have been involved in the total study which began in 1999.

A long-term Australian study has found Chronic Fatigue Syndrome indeed may be all in the mind – it may be caused by brain injury. Local researchers now believe the syndrome is not caused by a virus, nor a problem in the body's immune system, but instead develops as the result of a type of brain injury caused by the onset of glandular fever. The study's authors say it won't necessarily make for an immediate cure, but it may re-focus research into the condition and lead to better treatments.

Professor Lloyd said “We don't think about this illness as being, you know, a malingering or imaginary thing that you're tricking yourself into saying you're tired or you're in pain, because ultimately it's a valid experience. There is pain, because your brain chemicals are saying you're in pain. And so if those brain chemical signals get out of control, then the subject, the individual experiences pain or fatigue, or disturbance of mood, etcetera.

Key Point

Have you ever had a dream that you are falling – heart beating faster, adrenalin running and hot sweats. What is the first thing you say to yourself when you wake up? That’s right – “it is only a dream”. This is the awake mind saying that – the subconscious or the dream mind didn’t know – it thought the falling was real. The subconscious mind does not know the difference between imagination and reality. Never under-estimate the power of pretence – fake it till you make it! This is why we can trick the mind when we are working with it, deliberately implanting new habits of say “I can easily walk long distances into caves” when in reality we have claustrophobia. To do this you use guided imagery, visualisation, positive self talk and active meditation, the new habit will prevail – and this can happen in a very short time (say a month).

Recently an elderly gentleman who found it extremely difficult to walk to the bathroom first thing in the morning (because of arthritis), lay in bed a little longer and meditated on visualising himself walking easily to the bathroom – then he got up and did just that. Tricking the mind – every morning !

A Possible Solution

A thought could be to combat the signals of pain and fatigue which the brain is falsely giving out, when one has the illness of CFS; we could work inside our subconscious mind, visualising the fact that we are well and able to do the things that we normally did before the illness took hold.

Remember to use only good, positive words and a lot of positive emotion – emotion being the language of the subconscious mind.

All The Best

Sandy MacGregor

Thoughts are Things!!!

Much of this post will be direct quotations from the work of John-Roger – www.MSIA.com . I would not attempt to re-word what he has to say for he is the "master". I receive an e-mail quotation each day called "Loving Each Day". One of the recent Loving Each Day messages was titled "Energy Follows Thought" - the quote is below in its entirety because of its powerful message - particularly the very last line.

Energy Follows Thought

That means if you are thinking about a hot fudge sundae, all the levels of your consciousness come in line to bring that to you. The same is true for envisioning and moving toward higher awareness and Soul transcendence. All of your levels will start making that happen. You will receive co-operation from your mind, emotions, basic selves; even your subconscious will be guiding you though you will not be consciously aware of that level. That's why it becomes so important to watch your thoughts because you will create in a physical way those things you have focused on in your thinking.

Also, be careful what you say. Listen to what you say and be sure it represents what you really want in your life.
by John-Roger (From: Q&A from the Heart Journal)

So whatever thought you have, whatever you say to yourself or others, is important. Become aware of it - listen to what you say. Make sure it is positive and, if it's not, change it (as soon as you are aware).

The book "You Can't Afford The Luxury of a Negative Thought" by John-Roger and Peter McWilliams talks quite a bit about the mind and mind power. Here are some quotes from that book.

The Power Of Thoughts

A simple thought. A few micromilliwatts of energy flowing through our brain. A seemingly innocuous, almost ephemeral thing. And yet, a thought – or, more accurately, a carefully orchestrated series of thoughts – has a significant impact on our mind, our body and our emotions.

Thoughts have responses in the body. Think of a lemon. Imagine cutting it in half. Imagine removing the seeds from one half with the point of a knife. Smell the lemon. Now imagine squeezing the juice from the lemon into your mouth. Then imagine digging your teeth into the centre of the lemon. Chew the pulp. Feel those little things (whatever those little things are called) breaking and popping inside your mouth. Most people's salivary glands respond to the very thought of a lemon.

For some people, the mere thought of the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard is physically uncomfortable. Try this – imagine an emery board or a fingernail file or a double-sided piece of sandpaper. Imagine putting it in your mouth. Bite down on it. Now move your teeth from side to side. Goosebumps

Thoughts influence our emotions. Think of something you love. What do you feel? Now think of something you hate. What do you feel? Now something you love again. We don't have to change our emotions consciously – just change our thoughts, and our emotions quickly follow.

Now imagine your favourite place in nature. Where is it? A beach? A meadow? A mountain top? Take your time. Imagine lying on your back, your eyes closed. Feel the sun on your face. Smell the air. Hear the sounds of creation. Become a part of it. Feel more relaxed

Most people who take the time to try these little experiments know what we're talking about.

Those who thought, "This stuff is silly. I'm not going to try anything as stupid as this!" are left with the emotional and physiological consequences of their thoughts – perhaps a sense of tightness, irritability, impatience or maybe outright hostility. These people (bless their independent hearts!) proved the point with the "suggested" thoughts. The point being: thoughts have power over our mind, our body and our emotions.

Positive thoughts (joy, happiness, fulfilment, achievement, worthiness) have positive results (enthusiasm, calm, well-being, ease, energy, love). Negative thoughts (judgment, unworthiness, mistrust, resentment, fear) produce negative results (tension, anxiety, alienation, anger, fatigue).

To understand why something as miniscule as a thought can have such a dramatic effect on our mind, body and emotions, it helps to understand the automatic reaction human beings have whenever they perceive danger: the Fight or Flight Response.

Every good thought you think is contributing its share to the ultimate result of your life. Grenville Kleiser

...... and, unfortunately, so is every negative thought contributing its share to the ultimate result of your life.

Remember to keep the self talk positive and to use your subconscious mind deliberately both in the relaxed and meditation state.

All the Best

Sandy MacGregor

http://www.calm.com.au/