I recently saw a video (I’ll give you the link below) that speaks profoundly to
how our mind works – and how much influence it has on what we experience
– in our health, our money, and virtually all areas of our lives – and in particular,
why it’s so hard to change our results
with positive thinking or affirmations alone.
The video was part of an educational series leading up to a virtual “summit”
on a specific mind-body technique called “EFT”. I’m mentioning it here
because this particular talk from
cellular biologist Dr. Bruce Lipton is so impactful in its own right.
(just fast-forward through the intro if that becomes distracting. The actual discussion with Dr. Lipton is fascinating.)
Whether the idea that your health and your life may be being
run by subconscious programs you’re generally not aware of is
a new one for you, or you have long experience with this idea,
Dr. Lipton’s particular discussion, insights, and analogies create
particularly powerful connections that will get your mind going
and potentially open new doors of possibility for you.
Because the video is so provocative, I’m going to briefly list
several steps you can take right away to “change the programming”
or “tape” that Dr. Lipton discussess. You’ll realize you already
know or have access to most or all of these, but may not be
practicing them at the level you could be.
But before I give you the list, take a moment now to mark on
your calendar a specific time to view the 30 minute video –
ideally within the next 24 hours. If you at least write down
a specific time to watch it, you’re more likely to actually do
it. I’ve
already watched it twice – the second time with my wife & two
oldest kids, and we still talk about it.
OK. Here’s the list.
5 ways to “change the tape” or the “programs” your subconscious
is running:
1) The first step is Awareness. The video of Dr. Bruce Lipton will
definitely heighten your awareness of the unconscious programs,
or patterns, that may be running your health and your life – and
the fact that you can change them. The power of no longer feeling
a victim to what “happens” to you…and to what others say and do,
or don’t do, is a BIG first step.
2) Practice different thoughts. What does this mean? We all
have patterns, habitual ways, of thinking about and reacting to
people, situations, and even ourselves, and many of these may no
longer be serving us and the results we now desire to create in
our health, our money, our relationships, or some other area
of our lives.
How do you pick more empowering thoughts? (ones that serve you
better now)?
The first step here is to pay attention to how you feel when
you’re on a particular train of thought – if you’re feeling
constricted, depressed, angry, or powerless – in other words,
feeling “bad” – pick a different “train”!
How do you do that?
One of the best ways is to ask yourself a question – what I
call a “door-opening” question.
Even one as simple as “what’s a thought that feels better?”
“How could I look at this in a more empowered way?”
In other words, you’re asking yourself a question that you
may not yet have an answer to, but it opens a door for you,
rather than closing a door with a question such as “why do
I always do that?”
Feel the difference?
Asking yourself a door-opening question puts your mind
to work looking for new answers and connections, and is
a powerful technique.
3) Meditation – some may call this meditative or listening “prayer”.
Sitting quietly even for just 15 min’s/day is enough for most people
to “pause” the “busy-ness” of their lives and their recurring,
automatic thought-patterns — to begin to “listen” inwardly and
to become more aware, conscious, and purposeful about the thoughts
they’re choosing and what they’re choosing to focus on in their
lives. This can even be a great way to get back in touch with
what’s really important to you and to make key decisions that
alter the course of your relationships and your life. But it
won’t happen if you’re constantly consumed with the “busy-ness”
of your day and the automatic habits that currently run your life.
Note: my wife reminded me this morning that she enters a very
creative state when playing the piano – and many have described
a meditative-like state while engaged in music, art, running, or
sports…which leads to the next step…
Get your body involved.
The next 2 steps include physical action on your part:
4) *Move daily* — get your body, your heart rate, and your breathing
going at a higher level at least 10 and ideally 20 min’s day,
preferably early in your day. This sets your physiology on a course
that can continue to benefit you throughout your day, and one
recent personal development program has wisely pointed out that this
practice can raise your “vibration” and enhance the effectiveness
of everything else you do! The general rate for this level of
aerobic exercise is to move at a pace that increases your heart rate
and breathing, but at which you could still hold a conversation. For
many a brisk walk, jumping on a rebounder, riding a bike, or even
marching vigorously around the house is sufficient.
5) EFT – or “Emotional Freedom Technique” – this is a technique that
involves both your mind and your body – with physical action on your
part that’s related to accupressure points – that can quickly
“rewrite” the “tapes”, or programs, that you’re currently running
unconsciously. I continue to use this technique to rapidly shift
how I feel and the direction of my own mind-body patterns, and this
is the technique that the Dr. Bruce Lipton video refers to and you can
get more info through that link.
So there you have it – 5 ways to “change the tape” or the “programs”
your subconscious is running.
And lastly, remember the power of compounding simple but effective
steps done daily over time.
Now if you haven’t seen the video, set a time to watch it here:
Dr. Bruce Lipton video.
Then choose one or more of the above steps to start practicing
this week.
And if you’ve already been using one or more – let me know what
you’ve personally found most effective and what results you’ve
experienced in the comments below.
Have another technique that’s worked for you?
I look forward to hearing from you!
Dr. Ben