The Brighter Side – Take The Gratitude Challenge
by FinerMinds Team December 1, 2010
30 bloggers + 21 Days = delight, beauty, love and a whole bunch of other cools stuff. Check out what happened when the company Tiny Prints challenged bloggers to take up three weeks of gratitude.
The Silva Method, Silva Life System and Silva Intuition Training - sharing these is a joy. It's so uplifting and rewarding to see people learn the skills and techniques, apply them in their lives and increase their fulfillment and happiness. I am privileged to work with Silva Graduates in a coaching relationship.
Showing posts with label self-improvement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label self-improvement. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
How to Exercise Your Brain
taken from "How God Changes Your Brain" by Andrew Newberg, M.D. and Mark Robert Waldman
This information is both beneficial for our brain and is consistent with the ideals and goals most of us have for our lives, spiritually and otherwise. How to Exercise Your Brain may seem very familiar to Silva Method Graduates!
There are eight ways we can exercise our brain...I'll follow the authors' lead and list these in reverse order:
8) Smile
Thich Nhat Hanh suggests we do a 'smiling meditation' throughout the day. It's not necessary to stop, sit or lie down, close your eyes and go into the meditative state...just smile. Smile at other people and smile because it feels good!
However don't go into laughter....totally different experience with very different outcomes.
7) Stay intellectually active
No surprise here...we've been hearing for years that intellectual activity is a deterrant to alzheimer's disease. Memory and mnemonic exercises (Silva Memory Pegs!) strategy games such as chess, read books (fiction or non-fiction) educational TV programming, problem solving and quick reasoning are great. Really get into these activities and challenge yourself.
Note: the authors say that crossword puzzles and math exercises don't work.
Make sure you're enjoying yourself!
6) Consciously relax
Deliberate relaxation of areas of your body...sounds like the Silva Long Relax is perfect for this. They also recommend calming music. All reduce stress and that's beneficial 'across the board'.
5) Yawn
Yes, yawn benefits your brain! Yawning relaxes you and brings you into a state of awareness, alertness. On page 158 of "How God Changes Your Brain" the authors list 12 essential reasons to yawn! There are so many ways yawning is beneficial that it's probably best you look into yourself.
4) Meditate and Intensive Prayer
Benefits body and mind as well as the spiritual self. Even 10 - 15 minutes is enough to make a significantly positive effect. Are you in school now? Meditation before testing can significantly improve your score!
Guided visualization and self-hypnosis are in this category too.
3) Aerobic exercise
Not only is exercise beneficial to maintain health it helps in the healing process, including rebuilding damage caused by brain lesions and strokes. Among other physical benefits the immune system gets a boost. The authors note that exercise "can be used to treat clinical depression and it is just as effective as antidepressants."
Exercise can even be considered a form meditation because of the focus involved in using your body. It also enhances relaxation and your spiritual life.
Some researchers believe yoga is as beneficial as more strenuous movement.
You'll want to check the last paragraph on page 161!
2) Talk with others
Social interaction is very important...as we are with others, we talk. The topic here is intellectual conversation, abstract ideas. Discuss ideas and concepts that don't come up at work very often such as the Big Bang theory. Make sure that these conversations are positively stimulating and don't deteriorate into upsetting 'conversations'.
1) Faith
No matter what, we need to trust ourselves. We rely on faith in ourselves, in God, our intuition to go through life. Faith includes or equates with optimism, the trust that a good future awaits us.
This information is both beneficial for our brain and is consistent with the ideals and goals most of us have for our lives, spiritually and otherwise. How to Exercise Your Brain may seem very familiar to Silva Method Graduates!
There are eight ways we can exercise our brain...I'll follow the authors' lead and list these in reverse order:
8) Smile
Thich Nhat Hanh suggests we do a 'smiling meditation' throughout the day. It's not necessary to stop, sit or lie down, close your eyes and go into the meditative state...just smile. Smile at other people and smile because it feels good!
However don't go into laughter....totally different experience with very different outcomes.
7) Stay intellectually active
No surprise here...we've been hearing for years that intellectual activity is a deterrant to alzheimer's disease. Memory and mnemonic exercises (Silva Memory Pegs!) strategy games such as chess, read books (fiction or non-fiction) educational TV programming, problem solving and quick reasoning are great. Really get into these activities and challenge yourself.
Note: the authors say that crossword puzzles and math exercises don't work.
Make sure you're enjoying yourself!
6) Consciously relax
Deliberate relaxation of areas of your body...sounds like the Silva Long Relax is perfect for this. They also recommend calming music. All reduce stress and that's beneficial 'across the board'.
5) Yawn
Yes, yawn benefits your brain! Yawning relaxes you and brings you into a state of awareness, alertness. On page 158 of "How God Changes Your Brain" the authors list 12 essential reasons to yawn! There are so many ways yawning is beneficial that it's probably best you look into yourself.
4) Meditate and Intensive Prayer
Benefits body and mind as well as the spiritual self. Even 10 - 15 minutes is enough to make a significantly positive effect. Are you in school now? Meditation before testing can significantly improve your score!
Guided visualization and self-hypnosis are in this category too.
3) Aerobic exercise
Not only is exercise beneficial to maintain health it helps in the healing process, including rebuilding damage caused by brain lesions and strokes. Among other physical benefits the immune system gets a boost. The authors note that exercise "can be used to treat clinical depression and it is just as effective as antidepressants."
Exercise can even be considered a form meditation because of the focus involved in using your body. It also enhances relaxation and your spiritual life.
Some researchers believe yoga is as beneficial as more strenuous movement.
You'll want to check the last paragraph on page 161!
2) Talk with others
Social interaction is very important...as we are with others, we talk. The topic here is intellectual conversation, abstract ideas. Discuss ideas and concepts that don't come up at work very often such as the Big Bang theory. Make sure that these conversations are positively stimulating and don't deteriorate into upsetting 'conversations'.
1) Faith
No matter what, we need to trust ourselves. We rely on faith in ourselves, in God, our intuition to go through life. Faith includes or equates with optimism, the trust that a good future awaits us.
Friday, August 20, 2010
UltraSuccessful People, Their Books/Course and How To Get Their Techniques To Work For You
Here are some of Mr. Silva's thoughts on the ultra successful people and the "success" books and courses that they write... and what it takes to get their techniques to work for you. This is part of an article written by Jose Silva.
There have been thousands of books and courses created to help people achieve more success, and they prove useful. for a very few people. In fact, only about one person in ten receives any significant benefit from most of these books and courses...
...let's look first at what makes successful people successful. Not the person with average success, but the person with outstanding success. And not just success in one field, but success in many fields.
These very successful people have goals, of course, and a strong commitment to reach their goals. They are persistent, and are hard workers. They are reasonably intelligent, and relate well to other people.
But many people with average success share these same traits.
So what is the difference?
It is this: People who achieve outstanding success use more of their brains and minds than those who achieve average success.
Most people, approximately ninety percent, use only the left half of the brain for thinking, while the other ten percent use both sides of the brain to think with.
Does this make the ninety percent who are left brain thinkers just half as effective? No, they are usually much less than half as effective. For example, try lifting a bulky object with just one arm instead of two.
Now back to the question of why the Silva Method has helped so many people. While most books and courses motivate people and tell them how to set goals and be more persistent in striving for them, these programs do not teach people how to use the right side of the brain.
The Silva Method is the first program ever created that guides people to start using the right side of the brain to think with.
To develop all of your potential, it is essential that you use both brain hemispheres to think with, because each functions in its own way.
The left brain hemisphere interprets everything logically. The right brain hemisphere perceives things differently: it senses patterns, it creates new combinations that are not limited by logic.
Just take a look at the people who achieve above average success. When they talk, they seem to have a better grasp of things, to understand more quickly. They are more sensitive to people, and seem to know exactly how to deal with them. And they make correct decisions. More correct decisions than the average person.
While the left brain hemisphere is limited by logic, the right brain hemisphere is not biased against any information. It considers everything, and in various combinations. And the right brain hemisphere has access to more information than the left brain hemisphere because it deals with information stored in the subconscious.
Intuition - hunches are a phenomenon of the right brain hemisphere. The right brain hemisphere perceives information that the logical left brain hemisphere misses. When you are able to think with both brain hemispheres, you have much more going for you than if you are limited to only one.
How can you learn to use your right brain hemisphere to think with?
First, learn to relax and slow your brain until you are at a level comparable to light sleep. Then practice using visualization and imagination, and you are using your right brain hemisphere.
With practice, you can learn to reach this level without going to sleep The fastest way to learn is by attending the Silva Method training where a lecturer guides you.
When you have practiced enough, the proper way, then you can evoke that special feeling associated with using the right brain hemisphere at any time, so you will have access to the right brain's abilities whenever you need them.
People who achieve outstanding success all do this, although they may not realize that most people do not function the same way they do. Remember this when you read their books and take their courses. If you apply their techniques with your right brain hemisphere, then you will achieve results the way they do.
Friday, July 9, 2010
How Do Small Things Equal Big Success?
Following is an article written by Jose Silva which I believe bears reading. It has some real insights.
SMALL THINGS EQUAL BIG SUCCESS
by Jose Silva
My brother Juan and I were giving out the awards to the Silva Method lecturers during the recently completed Silva International Convention and, as is usually the case, all eyes were on us and the winners who came to center-stage for their awards.
In the midst of the applause and cheers which the winners received as their names were called out, I became very reflective.
"Why, I asked myself, "are these people getting an award? What made them special in this particular regard this year?"
Becoming conscious of those thoughts, I began to seek a strand that connected all the winners this year. Was there a link to their performances? Did they share something in common?
We are blessed, I think, in having outstanding individuals associated with us as lecturers and graduates, and this fact is a principal reason why the Silva Method has become one of the most significant planetary forces in existence today. It is these people - all of them - that give life to the Method, and it is their zeal that has carried it to almost every corner of the world.
Yet, for this particular year, there were some who had excelled even further. Why?
As I kept thinking of this, that connecting strand eventually appeared. These graduates, it seemed, had been specially careful to notice small details.
All of us focus on the bigger things - and well we should. But oftentimes, the small details do not get the attention they deserve. After all, big things are nothing more than the accumulation of small things. It stands to reason, therefore, that small details make big things happen.
This is not as philosophical as it may sound, for the person who does small things well regardless of the importance - is going to do big things well. Conversely, the person who does not give importance to small things is not going to make big things happen.
In the Silva Method, we have fully become aware of this, and we attempt to better ourselves through the very powerful tool of habit. Individuals are creatures of habit, and if we program ourselves to good habits, we shall, indeed, become "Better and Better." But the opposite can also be true. Nourishing bad habits will become disastrous to the individual.
Making it a habit to do small things well - day in and day out regardless of how insignificant they may seem will eventually program us to do big things well. This programming, I felt, was what the winners had in common. The small things had given them their prize.
One of the most useful tools of the Silva Method, I think, is that it allows the individual to assume responsibility for his total self, and to allow him to analyze his total being through the different parts that make him a unique human being.
Our human system is made up of many parts, each one playing a definite but distinct role. All of them are equal, and the ability to blend all of their functions harmoniously is a main task of the Silva Method.
Through the Silva Method, we are provided an effective way to search for self, but once we do that we must assume total responsibility for ourselves, including each and every part of our being and each and every role that we as humans play.
Our journey as humans on this planet is comprised of many decisions, many alternatives, many opportunities, many disillusions, many joys and many sorrows. All of these situations will shape us as human beings, and they will affect our way of life and our way of being. They are significant events in our lives, yet if we look closely we can notice that all of these situations came about because of small things.
That big opportunity arrived in my own life, but it came about because day by day I paid attention to doing my job well, learning as much as I could, possessing a cheerful personality, coping with the stresses and responsibilities of the job.
Yes, we must indeed have our sights fixed on the big events in our lives; but we must never forget those small things.
It was doing small things well that earned those individuals their awards this year, and, in a bigger framework, it is doing small things well that eventually will make us better and better human beings.
SMALL THINGS EQUAL BIG SUCCESS
by Jose Silva
My brother Juan and I were giving out the awards to the Silva Method lecturers during the recently completed Silva International Convention and, as is usually the case, all eyes were on us and the winners who came to center-stage for their awards.
In the midst of the applause and cheers which the winners received as their names were called out, I became very reflective.
"Why, I asked myself, "are these people getting an award? What made them special in this particular regard this year?"
Becoming conscious of those thoughts, I began to seek a strand that connected all the winners this year. Was there a link to their performances? Did they share something in common?
We are blessed, I think, in having outstanding individuals associated with us as lecturers and graduates, and this fact is a principal reason why the Silva Method has become one of the most significant planetary forces in existence today. It is these people - all of them - that give life to the Method, and it is their zeal that has carried it to almost every corner of the world.
Yet, for this particular year, there were some who had excelled even further. Why?
As I kept thinking of this, that connecting strand eventually appeared. These graduates, it seemed, had been specially careful to notice small details.
All of us focus on the bigger things - and well we should. But oftentimes, the small details do not get the attention they deserve. After all, big things are nothing more than the accumulation of small things. It stands to reason, therefore, that small details make big things happen.
This is not as philosophical as it may sound, for the person who does small things well regardless of the importance - is going to do big things well. Conversely, the person who does not give importance to small things is not going to make big things happen.
In the Silva Method, we have fully become aware of this, and we attempt to better ourselves through the very powerful tool of habit. Individuals are creatures of habit, and if we program ourselves to good habits, we shall, indeed, become "Better and Better." But the opposite can also be true. Nourishing bad habits will become disastrous to the individual.
Making it a habit to do small things well - day in and day out regardless of how insignificant they may seem will eventually program us to do big things well. This programming, I felt, was what the winners had in common. The small things had given them their prize.
One of the most useful tools of the Silva Method, I think, is that it allows the individual to assume responsibility for his total self, and to allow him to analyze his total being through the different parts that make him a unique human being.
Our human system is made up of many parts, each one playing a definite but distinct role. All of them are equal, and the ability to blend all of their functions harmoniously is a main task of the Silva Method.
Through the Silva Method, we are provided an effective way to search for self, but once we do that we must assume total responsibility for ourselves, including each and every part of our being and each and every role that we as humans play.
Our journey as humans on this planet is comprised of many decisions, many alternatives, many opportunities, many disillusions, many joys and many sorrows. All of these situations will shape us as human beings, and they will affect our way of life and our way of being. They are significant events in our lives, yet if we look closely we can notice that all of these situations came about because of small things.
That big opportunity arrived in my own life, but it came about because day by day I paid attention to doing my job well, learning as much as I could, possessing a cheerful personality, coping with the stresses and responsibilities of the job.
Yes, we must indeed have our sights fixed on the big events in our lives; but we must never forget those small things.
It was doing small things well that earned those individuals their awards this year, and, in a bigger framework, it is doing small things well that eventually will make us better and better human beings.
Monday, June 28, 2010
How to Develop Intuition
Since linking this blog to facebook I've had some inquiries about what Silva is. Give me a half hour and I can give you a pretty good answer!
The bottom line is intuition...Here's a short video overview of some of the things we do to develop our intuition. Enjoy!
The bottom line is intuition...Here's a short video overview of some of the things we do to develop our intuition. Enjoy!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
An Abraham Video - "Neediness Attracts Neediness"
This is really good....as usual. My recommendation is to listen to it and, if you're open to do so, listen again. Then, at your level, explore how it personally applies.
Real wisdom. Thank you Esther-Abraham!
Real wisdom. Thank you Esther-Abraham!
5 Levels of Manifestation
A short, "meaty" video I believe you'll enjoy!
This video is originally provided through Finer Minds LLC
This video is originally provided through Finer Minds LLC
Thursday, June 3, 2010
A terrific book
Based on experiences at Monroe Institute, Frank de Marco's re-creation of his program experience makes you feel like you're there. This is a must-read for everyone interested in "altered states" of consciousness, energy healing and much much more.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Program the WHAT - not the HOW
Often in classes we discuss the best way to do our 'programming'. Certainly we have enough techniques in the courses to cover virtually every scenario, every desire, every goal.
There is a "trick" though and that is to make sure you're programming for your desired outcome - the WHAT - not the steps necessary to get there - the HOW.
Our job is to identify our intended outcome - the WHAT - and Spirit is in charge of HOW to get us there. If we believe that we know HOW to get where we choose to go, we limit what Spirit can do for us.
Although this didn't happen in one of my classes, I remember a story I heard about years ago. Sometimes we discuss it in class.
Once upon a time, some years ago, there was a Silva Method Basic class in progress. One student had a dream to go to Hawaii for 2 weeks and she estimated it would cost her $2000 for the trip of her dreams. During the Mirror of the Mind exercise she programmed for the money...she visualized a hand writing out a check to her for the amount she desired.
At the next class she returned and BOY was she mad! When she calmed down the lecturer asked her how she had done her programming so she shared what she'd done. She also told everyone the check HAD arrived but she'd needed to use it for a medical bill, not a vacation.
I think you can see the problem: she programmed for the HOW, not the WHAT. During the second class she programmed for her trip instead of how to make it happen.
As the story goes, soon after the class she met an older lady at the laundromat and they struck up a fun conversation. After a while this lady asked the Silva Grad if she'd consider accompanying her to Hawaii for 2 weeks - all expenses paid.
WOW! She received her desire, the WHAT, and didn't even need to worry about the HOW. Often we can't know the very best way for things to occur but Spirit does.
It's always good to end your programming session with "This or something better." By adding this Spirit is free to meet your desired outcome with no restrictions...in the best way possible.
Remember to identify WHAT you choose and let Spirit take care of getting there.
Better and Better
Barbara
There is a "trick" though and that is to make sure you're programming for your desired outcome - the WHAT - not the steps necessary to get there - the HOW.
Our job is to identify our intended outcome - the WHAT - and Spirit is in charge of HOW to get us there. If we believe that we know HOW to get where we choose to go, we limit what Spirit can do for us.
Although this didn't happen in one of my classes, I remember a story I heard about years ago. Sometimes we discuss it in class.
Once upon a time, some years ago, there was a Silva Method Basic class in progress. One student had a dream to go to Hawaii for 2 weeks and she estimated it would cost her $2000 for the trip of her dreams. During the Mirror of the Mind exercise she programmed for the money...she visualized a hand writing out a check to her for the amount she desired.
At the next class she returned and BOY was she mad! When she calmed down the lecturer asked her how she had done her programming so she shared what she'd done. She also told everyone the check HAD arrived but she'd needed to use it for a medical bill, not a vacation.
I think you can see the problem: she programmed for the HOW, not the WHAT. During the second class she programmed for her trip instead of how to make it happen.
As the story goes, soon after the class she met an older lady at the laundromat and they struck up a fun conversation. After a while this lady asked the Silva Grad if she'd consider accompanying her to Hawaii for 2 weeks - all expenses paid.
WOW! She received her desire, the WHAT, and didn't even need to worry about the HOW. Often we can't know the very best way for things to occur but Spirit does.
It's always good to end your programming session with "This or something better." By adding this Spirit is free to meet your desired outcome with no restrictions...in the best way possible.
Remember to identify WHAT you choose and let Spirit take care of getting there.
Better and Better
Barbara
Thursday, May 20, 2010
How to Make Your Quality of Life Better and Better
I'd like to share a story about a young lady's experience.
My daughter "was having some problems feeling left out and not part of her friends’ group so I told her to use mirror of the mind to create the relationships she would like to have. The next day after school, she greeted me full of excitement and said “it worked”. As soon as she got to school that morning, her friend (who has been ignoring her for several months) ran up to her with a big hug and included her in lots of activities. In PE that day she was asked by 2 different teams to join them in the beginning of picking their players (usually she is one of the last people to get picked). That was so exciting to see that it worked so easy for her and gives her a great foundation on the power of Silva.
Thank you."
What a delight! To know that there's a way to change life experiences for the better...for all concerned...is awesome. I'm thrilled to be part of relaying that information and more.
Better & Better every day in every way,
Barbara
My daughter "was having some problems feeling left out and not part of her friends’ group so I told her to use mirror of the mind to create the relationships she would like to have. The next day after school, she greeted me full of excitement and said “it worked”. As soon as she got to school that morning, her friend (who has been ignoring her for several months) ran up to her with a big hug and included her in lots of activities. In PE that day she was asked by 2 different teams to join them in the beginning of picking their players (usually she is one of the last people to get picked). That was so exciting to see that it worked so easy for her and gives her a great foundation on the power of Silva.
Thank you."
What a delight! To know that there's a way to change life experiences for the better...for all concerned...is awesome. I'm thrilled to be part of relaying that information and more.
Better & Better every day in every way,
Barbara
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
"Search for the Hero Inside Yourself" - video
Talk about uplifting, energizing and 'feel good' I love this video!!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)