Chapters
CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER SYNOPSIS
The Belief Formula
The Secret to Unlocking the Power of Prayer
About this Book
A word to the reader informing them of the nature of their thoughts, the nature of the journey that has brought them to this book, and the reason why they need to read this book.
Preface
A look at some common human reasoning, and how it all begins in childhood, outlines how many of us get off track, why we will be happier, healthier, and more successful if we get our thoughts back on track, and how we can set about doing that - the reasons I believe I wrote this book in the first place.
Introduction
This is an introduction to the way a human thinks, and the things that most influence human thinking - creating distractions and suffering, or health and happiness. A look at why we need to think about thinking if we want to become participants in deciding the course our life takes.
Chapter 1: Why Pray?
This chapter discusses the reasons people pray and the reasons they don’t - offering a look at why prayer has remained such a focal point of human activity, and the question, “Why aren’t more humans better at this ‘simplest’ of human endeavors?”
Chapter 2: The Courage to Rise Above
This chapter takes a look at the natural human drive toward transcendence, and the reasons for transcending certain situations - and the cost of not rising above.
Chapter 3: The Power of Prayer
This chapter takes a look at some of the amazing things a human can do with the power of thought, or prayer. This chapter briefly examines an informal experiment based on the work of Dr. Masaru Emoto - in which water that was prayed over actually increased the growth rate of houseplants.
Chapter 4: Unity, Duality, and Trinity
This chapter examines the ancient doctrine of the Trinity and how it is a model used in practically every culture to describe, or explain, the nature of a three-dimensional, physical reality or existence. Cultural views are compared and contrasted to find that, except for easy-to-understand misinterpretations, we are all using similar models to discuss the basis of our existence - and the secrets of creation.
Chapter 5: The Importance of Belief, Faith, and Trust
This chapter looks at the importance of the heart and emotions in generating the impetus to move ahead with our dreams, as well as the clinically verifiable change in physiology that accompanies positive emotional states. Also, this chapter discusses the attractive power of the heart and positive emotions - a power which can bring about our desires through various associations and apparent “miracles.”
Chapter 6: Surrender to the Process
This chapter examines the value of “letting go and letting God.” There is a state where humans are utterly open; and this state often follows the act of surrendering to a situation you feel is bigger than yourself and beyond your control. The idea of not worrying about those things you cannot change is of great spiritual value.
Chapter 7: Prayer is Thought
In this chapter, we examine the mistake made when people forget that religions are all about prayer and begin believing that prayer is a “religious” thing. Religions were all developed as studies of how minds can better think to generate better states of being; prayer has always existed as each mind’s silent connection with the power that created it. This chapter focuses on the all important fact that all prayers are thoughts; and to think effectively is a learned skill - therefore, so is effective prayer.
Chapter 8: Right Thinking and Right Living
This chapter explores the rewards and benefits of right thinking, and of considering ways of living to a higher standard than the one you may have been given - ways of living from the heart. The obvious rewards can manifest immediately, while the rest of your life can be a series of pleasant surprises generated by the constant focus on what some call Dharma, or right living. This is the essence of “praying always,” as the Christian tradition teaches, or of living on-purpose, or with conscious intention.
Chapter 9: The Belief Formula
The rules, or formula, for prayer has always been passed on in extremely simple terms: “If you have a desire, and you think about it in such a way that you start believing in its reality, then the slightest action will bring it to pass.” In other words, the formula for effective prayer, or thought, is: “Whatsoever you desire, when you stand in prayer, believing, it will be given to you.” This chapter breaks this formula down and examines its constituent variables: Desire, Thought, and Belief.
Chapter 10: God and the A-Bomb
Throughout history, God has sent his rain on the good and bad alike. This chapter tells the story of how humans ask big questions and get answers too big to fully understand - answers that are virtually impossible to control once they take physical form. In essence, humans continue to unleash bigger and bigger genies; and how some of those genies - like nuclear energy - can be used for good or evil. It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you ask for; ask and you will receive. With great power comes great responsibility.
Chapter 11: Methods of Achieving Effective Prayer
This chapter clarifies some of the most important advice in the Bible, or any text on entering into prayerful states of mind, or consciousness. We look at the effect and significance of brainwave frequencies on thought and performance, as well as some natural ways to enter into the “closet” spoken of in the Bible, or the ideal state for prayer or meditative practices.
Chapter 12: A Look at some Effective Prayer Forms
This chapter explores several techniques and methods which have been used very effectively, and clinically proven, to produce positive changes in mental state, physiology, health, and even relationships and finances. Though not necessarily viewed as “prayers,” these methods use all of the aspects commonly taught and used in prayer: Relaxation; Calm, centered focus; Stillness and quietude; Slowing of brainwaves; and Mental Imagery (thought, visualization, etc.) of a desired outcome.
Chapter 13: Healing with Prayer
In this chapter, we will discuss a number of healing techniques and methods which are similar to prayer in its basic form, and which have been shown to be effective ways to “think” about wellness in order to actually generate improved health conditions.
Chapter 14: Unmasking “This Little Light of Mine”
This chapter reveals your inner power, your inner light, and the source of your strength. You are immutable light being born by an earthen vessel you call a body. By releasing egos we have accumulated to protect our bodies, or serve our bodies in some way, we can free up a tremendous amount of energy which can be used to create anything we desire - including peace. There is no reason for guilt, shame, pain, or fear; you are a child of your creator for whom all things are possible.
Chapter 15: Acknowledging the Actions of God
This chapter discusses the importance of becoming conscious to the source of all you see - whether you understand the process of creation or not. When you begin to see the things around you as acts of creation, or acts of God, you begin to interact and communicate with this process, and your life takes on a whole new dimension.
Chapter 16: What does the Answer to a Prayer Look Like?
All you see is the answer to someone’s prayer, or the result of someone’s thoughts and actions. This chapter helps to reverse-engineer the process of creation in order to deconstruct the Belief Formula into its constituent factors. When you know what the answer to a prayer looks like, it is easier to find them when you are seeking.
Conclusion
This chapter wraps up our exploration of the journey from Thought-to-Thing, or the process of creation and manifestation. Keys to effective, reliable, repeatable manifestation are overviewed; and a final admonition to “pray always” is given to seal the instruction of the reader.
Appendix 1: Progressive Relaxation Exercise
This appendix contains an easy-to-read hypnotic induction, or progressive relaxation exercise, which can be used for hypnosis, self-hypnosis, or simply for relaxation and stress-management. Readers are encouraged to use this technique prior to prayer, meditation, or affirmations, to more easily “enter into the closet,” and provide a more effective environment for receiving the answers to your prayers.
Appendix 2: World Peace Prayers
This appendix compares peace prayers from several different cultures in order to highlight the similarities. When we realize we are all trying to say and do the same kinds of things, and shift our focus from differences to similarities, great doors are opened.
Appendix 3: Affirmations and Affirmative Prayer
This appendix explains the construction and use of affirmations, or affirmative prayers. This section also contains some basic affirmation designed for the most common of human problems.
Suggested Reading
This section contains a list of books which were discovered by the author after writing the original manuscript. Each of these books tells a part of the story of the Belief Formula, or resonates with parts of this book.
