Can anyone tell me how to maintain a high degree of hope that my CMI will come true. I tend to experience doubt sometimes.

Any ideas?

start with gratitude...for all things come true for those who believe, says Wally in SOGR.Keep your yourself in deep and continuous thankfulness for everything in your CMI

Phil:

My BIG downfall is: I continuaaly allow my mind to focus on those aspects of life that make me miserable. This is a big NO NO according to Wally's Gratitude chapter.

I find it extraordinarily difficult to not focus on my discontent and causes of discontent in my life. There's such a different life that I could live IF only I had enough money.

quote:

Originally posted by sjsearcher:
Phil:

My BIG downfall is: I continuaaly allow my mind to focus on those aspects of life that make me miserable. This is a big NO NO according to Wally's Gratitude chapter.

I find it extraordinarily difficult to not focus on my discontent and causes of discontent in my life. There's such a different life that I could live IF only I had enough money.

I know what it's like. I used to be there, totally. (Almost went suicidal.) But there IS a healthy, healing way out. At least there is/was for me.

To me, it starts with coming to this realization: Nothing outside of us is CAUSING us to feel one way or another.

It is ONLY how we think about things that causes us to feel however we do.

For example, if I'm in a situation I don't like, I can CHOOSE to think about how I'd PREFER it to be, and focus on that almost entirely. And when I do, I naturally FEEL better.

And, you know, from what you've studied in SOGR, much of it inevitably points to how you feel and that when you change your 'state' or how you feel, you change what is coming into or staying in your life.

There is a REASON SOGR says to, "Enter at once into the full enjoymonet of the things you want,..." and also why it goes into detail on how to do this (e.g., 'see the things you want around you in your imagination. Use them, in your imagination, as if they were real and tangible, even though they aren't yet present, etc.)

You can't just study this stuff; you have to apply it.

Phil

Phil:

Your advice is easier said than done. That's the real problem. It is extremely difficult to take control of your mind and consciously change it's thinking. That is why many people suggest subliminal tapes to reprogram the unconscious mind. Some people may be able to for brief periods, but to do so a majority of the time is enormously difficult, in my opinion.

It's also very difficult to overcome feelings of depression, and doubt having been disappointed so many times in the past, and with current frustration in my life.

quote:

Your advice is easier said than done.

It's also very difficult to overcome feelings of depression, and doubt having been disappointed so many times in the past, and with current frustration in my life.

I know how you feel. Before I 'got' it, I was the same. You might as well have told me I could grow a third arm.

But I will tell you this. if/when you get it, it will be, for the most part, the EASIEST thing to know and live by. It will be as if you've been in a dark room, stumbling around, and someone turns on a light, and now you get around EASILY, only occasionally bumping into something.

Imagine if that 'dark room' were the world, and you suddenly get the 'light' turned on. The difference is something like that.

Phil

Phil:

Suppose you were just told that you had terminal cancer? Could you choose to pretend it away, and go about happy as if nothing was wrong?

If you could, I suspect you are in the monority of people. And even if you could, could you suppress it 24/7 with happiness?

Many major life problems are like cancer. They are present everyday 24/7. It is very difficult (nearly impossible) to suppress the feelings that they generate. In fact, I'm not convinced it's humanly possible on a constant basis.

I gotta say I am bummed out because it seems the more I believe and the more I feel thanks, the further I get from my cmi. I am sure it is just growing pains, and I am happier than I have been in years, but I got the itch to keep moving, and I am presently on a treadmill. I remember days when I worried and cried and hated and things worked out better...geeesh.

quote:

Originally posted by sjsearcher:
Phil:

Suppose you were just told that you had terminal cancer? Could you choose to pretend it away, and go about happy as if nothing was wrong?

I know there are many remarkable stories of people who have experienced lasting peace when diagnosed terminally ill with cancer (and, as you probably know, some survived and even went into complete remission).

As for me, I had a heart attack a couple years ago. A co-worker friend came to visit me in the hospital and was surprised as I was laughing about it. My wife didn't think it was all that funny (bless her heart) and I probably would have been a little miffed if she would have laughed along with me.

But it's interesting to me. We are ALL most likely going to die. The trick, it seems to me, is figuring out how to most enjoy the time between now and then,... regardless of circumstances.

As long as you believe your joy or peace depends on circumstances, you will hardly ever or never experience it.

If you read about Eckhart Tolle, you will find out that the 'miraculous' thing he experienced, that completely turned his life experience around was, he discovered it was only certain of his thoughts that were causing him all his enormously painful feelings. And he discovered, he didn't have to believe them.

His transformation was instantaneous and lasting.

Phil

Phil had mentioned sucidal, and at one point I wanted to kill myself also! That also was what I thought was a lack of money.

What did it for me was walking past a group of migrant workers in a field, the thought came to mind the I could enjoy doing that work! I realized that I could enjoy myself regardless of how much money I had.

Friends, this is just a quick reminder that in this COURSE forum, everyone participating in the course has made the commitment in advance not to bring other courses, books, teachers, etc. into THIS forum -- so that we all stay on the same page and are following Wally's instructions.

Thanks for remembering and for keeping your commitment!

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming (and the subject at hand) ...

quote:

Your advice is easier said than done.

So what?

That's what it comes down to. Either you believe you can do the mental-feeling exercises SOGR suggests, or you believe you can't.

And, by the way, saying this is "too difficult" is also just one of your beliefs. (And, because you believe it, you think it's true. You can start to disempower that belief when you start wondering, "I wonder if it COULD be easy, or easier than I'm letting it be?")

Also, by the way,... do you ever think you are a wonderful being? It seems to me that is what we all essentially are, and we're supposed to come to realize this. What or how DO you think of yourself? This will also very certainly affect what can come into your life.

Phil

quote:

Originally posted by sjsearcher:
Phil:

Your advice is easier said than done. That's the real problem. It is extremely difficult to take control of your mind and consciously change it's thinking. That is why many people suggest subliminal tapes to reprogram the unconscious mind. Some people may be able to for brief periods, but to do so a majority of the time is enormously difficult, in my opinion.

It's also very difficult to overcome feelings of depression, and doubt having been disappointed so many times in the past, and with current frustration in my life.

Yes and no. It only appears that way right now, because you are used to the results you are getting due to the thoughts, feelings, and actions you are applying right now. I haven't found it difficult at all, but I have found it can take time. But, I had a great tool to cut through the negative emotions at lightning speed.

Just start with one aspect. The one I started with was my opinion of myself. I went from I'm stupid, how dumb, why do I do _______?, to I am smart, I'm a great mom, I can do anything, I am God's gift to the world.

And that can change your whole perspective.

quote:

Originally posted by sjsearcher:
Phil:

Suppose you were just told that you had terminal cancer? Could you choose to pretend it away, and go about happy as if nothing was wrong?

The answer to that is yes and people do it every day. Perhaps you have read stories like Man's Search For Meaning, by Viktor Frankel. But those stricken thus, don't do it as if nothing is wrong, they do it in spite of things being wrong. But, I would venture to guess the ones who really do, don't even see it as wrong.

quote:

If you could, I suspect you are in the monority of people. And even if you could, could you suppress it 24/7 with happiness?

I'd agree about the minority. But do you/can you really know that is true? Truly happy people don't suppress. They see the blessing in every moment. It is all about perception.

quote:

Many major life problems are like cancer. They are present everyday 24/7. It is very difficult (nearly impossible) to suppress the feelings that they generate. In fact, I'm not convinced it's humanly possible on a constant basis.

There are tools to help with feelings. But the mind is the greatest tool of all. The power to look at something that appears to be true, and see it for something else, is really amazing.

You are seeing things from your perspective and experience, but there are many people here who will tell you from their own experiences, that what you seem to see as impossible, is completely possible. You only need the faith of a mustard seed. Blessings to you.

quote:

Originally posted by sjsearcher:
Phil:

My BIG downfall is: I continuaaly allow my mind to focus on those aspects of life that make me miserable. This is a big NO NO according to Wally's Gratitude chapter.

I find it extraordinarily difficult to not focus on my discontent and causes of discontent in my life. There's such a different life that I could live IF only I had enough money.

I was like you too once, I could only focus on what I did'nt want and that was making me miserable and yes it took quite a bit of willpower and self help to turn my thoughts around, now I see the funny side and can laugh at my self, I dont think I was stupid or silly I just didnt know how to think positively more than negatively, We have to learn how.

Now I flick off any old thoughts as "OH that lucky for me I do not believe that anymore, and if i catch myself out day dreaming about ramdom stuff I pull the picture of my CMI into my thoughts, I guarantee you the more you do it the better you get at remembering your CMI and if it is true and right for you it WILL bring a smile to your face and cancel out the strange and unhappy thoughts. Your CMI will change you Your faith will strengthen and you will become so much more grateful.

That has been the truth for me and can be for you too.

Practice makes perfect

Everything posted here is totally true of course. I'd like to add just one Rebecca saying. "Reach for what makes you feel good." If you're in a really unhappy state, it may seem impossible to be happy even most of the time. Don't worry about that. Just find as many things as possible that make you feel better and do/think/remember them as often as you can.

One caveat: make sure they are things that really make you feel better. Things that numb you like over eating or zoning in front of the TV don't produce the desired result. Eat that snack or watch that show if you can truly enjoy the experience. Otherwise, find something that you can enjoy. Exercise works for a lot of people.

Blessings!
Rachel