It All Begins with the Answer. What do you Want?
January 21, 2008
As a follow-up to the posts, What Do You Want, The Role of The Heart in Prayer, and The Heart is the Source of Prayer, I have posted the first Section from The Belief Formula Guidebook. This guidebook is full of revelations; and this first section will really help you wrap your mind around what it is you really want. Once you really know what you really want, it is so much easier to form good prayers and strategies for doing all you can to realize your dream.
Keep in mind, most people do not think about their dreams in this kind of detail; because most people are too busy thinking about what to eat, what to do next, what to watch on television, what their kids are doing, negative news stories they are constantly being fed, worrying about money, work, their health, and scores of other things. And, as you could probably guess, most people are experiencing those things in their own lives. Most people don’t think in great detail about their Heart’s desires; and most people are not happy, healthy, and content — knowing that all prayers are answered perfectly.
If you want to change anything about the way you are feeling or living, you are going to have to change something about the way you are thinking. If you want to realize your Heart’s desires, you must learn how to think about them in a way that will somehow encourage, stimulate, or cause that to happen. The Belief Formula Guidebook is designed to help you do that; and this chapter will guide you to think about the way you think about things.
This book was offered in e-book format to people who ordered The Belief Formula on Amazon.com when it was first released; and will be available soon in print. This workbook is not currently available, but I know the guy who wrote it, so here’s the entire first section of the guidebook:
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“Whatsoever you desire, when you stand in prayer – believing – will be given unto you.”
– Jesus of Nazareth
“To wish to be well is part of becoming well.”
– Lucius Annaeus Seneca
“Our thoughts become our words as they become our beliefs; our beliefs become our actions as they become our habits. Our habits become our values as our values become our destiny.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
“A man is but a product of his thoughts; what he thinks, he becomes.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
“Desire creates the power.”
– Raymond Hollingwell
“The creator has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.”
– Orison Swett Marden
“Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion.”
– Samuel Johnson
“The first principle of success is desire – knowing what you want.
Desire is the planting of your seed.”
– Robert Collier
Section One: The Answer
WHAT do you want?
Seriously, what do you want? Write it down right now. When you do this, you have written down the answer to your prayer. There will be many questions about this answer, so make sure this is something you really want. This, in fact, is the entire reason for going through the process, so be certain you want this thing – and be specific about what it is you want. Answer the following question:
1.) What do you want? _______________________________________________________________
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In The Belief Formula, the thing, event, situation, condition, or circumstance you just wrote down, is represented by the variable (A). (A) is the Answer to your prayer, or the culmination of your plan, goal, or desire. The point of The Belief Formula is to come up with a combination of Thoughts and Feelings that brings (A) to fruition, or into some tangible form or experience.
Before any journey begins, there must be a desire to take the journey, or be somewhere else – somewhere other than where you currently are. (A) is the impetus for this journey; and when (A) becomes a recognizable, physical experience, we know that our journey is complete – our prayer is answered. But before you begin any journey, it is helpful to know where you are. In fact, it is absolutely necessary to take stock of your resources, and determine your current position, before you can even plot a course, or begin planning your adventure.
We’ll get to the reasons WHY you want to take this journey soon; but for now, let’s take a good look at where you are now. Your current situation is the result of your past thoughts and experience; this will give you an idea of what adjustments you need to make in your thoughts, or thinking, in order to create adjustments in your experience.
2.) Describe your current situation as it applies to WHAT you want: (For example: I currently am working in a job I hate… My co-workers are miserable people… My work environment depresses me and I come home with a headache everyday… And any other details about the present that come up when you start thinking about this.)
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*Use additional sheets as needed.
3.) Why is your current situation unacceptable? _______________________________________
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4.) How do you think this situation came to be this way? _______________________________
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5.) What do you think is keeping you in the situation you are in? ________________________
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6.) List any obstacles you believe are standing between you and your desires: ____________
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Keep in mind that most people are expert at identifying what they do not want, or what they do not like. If you are unhappy, the above exercise should be easy. In fact, many people rehearse these answers by talking about them to anyone who will listen. Make a list of people you tell your problems to, or times and circumstances where you feel it necessary to tell others about your misfortune.
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You cannot experience what you want to experience if you continue beating the drum of what you do not want to experience. Continued focus on your problems magnifies, or amplifies, them. Make a deal with yourself – right now – to let go of the need or tendency to talk about your problems, or anything which could be considered negative, self-limiting, or judgmental. Fill out the contract on the following page, or make a copy of it and fill in the appropriate information there. And then sign it – and abide by it.
Contract
I, __________________________________________, hereby declare and affirm that I will speak only positive words about myself, my situation, and others, from this point on, and that I will refrain from speaking (or thinking) negatively of myself, my situation, and others. I will notice when I am thinking, saying, feeling, or doing, anything other than what makes me (and others) feel good, and I will take steps to immediately change my attitude from destructive to constructive – from negative to positive. I hereby agree that these things are in my best interest, and in the best interest of all concerned or involved in any way. This I solemnly promise to myself on this, the _________ day of ________________, 20_____.
Signed and attested to by me: ______________________________________________
If you want to get where you’re going, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to quit putting mud in your own gas tank! Think about the above contract before you sign it; and promise yourself to do your best. This is a process; so don’t get angry or frustrated when you find that it isn’t as easy as you might think it should be to start being responsible for, and in control of, your thoughts, words, and actions. But the reward for doing so is greater than you can imagine; it is definitely worth the effort. The idea is that if you are able to pray and think about positive things in order to create those experiences, you are able to do the same with negatives. “You reap what you sow.” So keep it positive.
If you come up with obstacles or limiting beliefs that you do not know how to overcome or that you can’t simply overcome by deciding to, look into trying one of the techniques listed below. These techniques are commonly used in clinical practice to overcome fears, phobias, negative emotions, and even allergies and other medical problems. These techniques can be learned and used by anyone; but a trained and experienced practitioner is more likely to help you achieve your desired results quicker and more effectively.
- The Z-Point Process for Emotional Healing
- The Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
- Psychological Kinesiology (Psych-K)
- The Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT)
Each of the modalities listed above can help you overcome obstacles, fears, and other limiting beliefs – in any area of your life. These are all safe, easy, and non-invasive methods that you can learn and use at home. Use the internet to research these techniques; some of them offer free downloadable instruction manuals, and lists of qualified practitioners in your area. You can access links to all of these modalities at www.TheBeliefFormula.com .
*Ask yourself, “Is chronic, fear-based, negative thinking affecting, limiting, or blocking my prayers, success, or experience in any way?”
Often, when we aren’t getting what we want, there are “good” reasons, or reasons your subconscious mind is protecting you from the thing or situation you are seeking. This often looks like self-sabotage, failure, or some other form of “falling short” of your goals, dreams, or expectations; but it is simply your subconscious running programs to protect you from harm, embarrassment, failure, success, or anything it perceives to be a threat – based on your own subconscious beliefs.
Write down the answer to Question #1 again, and then ask yourself the following questions. Direct the questions to that higher aspect of yourself where your inner wisdom dwells.
WHAT do I want? _________________________________________________
7.) Is it safe and appropriate for me to experience this? ______________
8.) Is it appropriate for me to ask for this now? ______________________
9.) Am I ready to ask for this thing now? ____________________________
10.) Am I ready to receive this thing now? __________________________
11.) Am I willing to ask for this thing now? __________________________
12.) Am I willing to receive this thing now? _________________________
13.) Am I fully able to ask for this thing now? ________________________
14.) Am I fully able to receive this thing now? _______________________
15.) Are all parts of me (Body, Mind, & Spirit) ready, willing, and able to experience
this thing now? __________________
16.) Am I getting something out of my current experience that I do not want
to change, or lose? ____________________
17.) Is there something bad that could happen to me (or someone else) if I were to
receive this experience I am asking for now? _______________________
18.) Do I, or any part of me (Body, Mind, or Spirit) want or need permission to ask,
experience, or receive this thing now, or at any time? ___________________
REALITY CHECK
When you hope, dream, or pray for something, you are simply seeking to switch your current reality for a new one. All of the questions on the previous pages are designed so that you become completely aware of the nature of your current reality and your desired reality. The first steps in The Belief Formula process are, therefore, all about recognizing where you are and where you want to be – or what you want.
1. Recognize where you are and what you are experiencing;
2. Recognize the contrast between the two:
· What do I have and not want?
· What do I want and not have?
3. Recognize your desire: Achievement, Acquisition, Accomplishment, Answer
Be very clear, specific, and detailed about what it is you desire; and be very honest about your judgments of where you are and what you have. Your judgments hold the keys to turning things around; turn your judgments around in order to turn your experience around. Reframe your “Don’t wants” into “Do wants.”
Using what are called “Sensory Modalities” is one of the big secrets used by people who are very successful at turning their desires into realities. A sensory modality is simply the way you process sensory information about a perceived event, item, or situation. Your sensory modalities include impressions from your five-senses: Sight, Sound, Touch, Taste, and Smell. They are usually referred as:
V. (Visual) Eyes/Sight
A. (Auditory) Ears/Hearing
K. (Kinesthetic) Skin/Touch – Movement
O. (Olfactory) Nose/Smell
G. (Gustatory) Tongue/Taste
When clarifying your goal or desire, simply imagine – to your best ability – what it will look like when you reach your goal, or fulfill your desire, as well as what it will sound like, feel like, and even taste and smell like. You may think about what your actual desire might look, smell, feel, and taste like – in the case your desire is something you may eat; or you may just imagine what kinds of smells or tastes you may experience when you have achieved your desired outcome. For instance, the smell and taste of salt on the ocean breeze might be a part of your desire to go to the beach. Your impressions can be made even stronger, therefore, by including taste and smell with the obvious sights and sounds of the beach environment, or the feeling of the sun, wind, or water on your skin.
The more sensory involvement you can incorporate into your prayers, thoughts, dreams, or visualizations, the better. When you are searching for your car in a parking lot, you know you have reached your goal of finding your car when what you are looking at in the physical matches your visual memory, or impression, of what your car looks like. If you are on your way to Atlanta, for instance, and you know what the Atlanta skyline looks like, you will be able to tell when you have reached your destination. Likewise, if you are looking for a friend’s house you have never been to before, it may help if they include, along with directions, a description of the house you are looking for: “After you turn on Church Street, you will be looking (V) for a brown house with a red car and a silver car in the driveway; and, you’ll probably hear (A) music coming from the pool area, and maybe even smell (O) the barbecue we’ve got going…”
Below, write down a few of the sensory impressions you might encounter or experience as you approach your destination, or reach your goal. What kinds of things might you See, Hear, Feel, Taste, or Smell if your prayers were answered?
If I get what I am asking for, I might experience:
V – What will I see when I get what I’m asking for? __________________________________________
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A – What will I hear when I get what I’m asking for? _________________________________________
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K – What will it feel like when I get what I’m asking for? _____________________________________
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Describe the feeling in detail (Shape, Temperature, Texture, etc…): _________________________
O – What will it smell like, or what will I smell, when I get what I’m asking for? __________________
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G – What will it taste like when I get what I’m asking for? ____________________________________
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POSITIVE REFRAMING and DECLARATIONS
It is important to be as clear as possible about what it is you want and why you want it. For instance, many people simply want more money; but when you look more closely, you’ll find that money has no value other than the experiences it can bring – food, shelter, entertainment, etc… If you are asking for more money because you think it will solve your money problems, consider that money and problems are two separate issues; your money is one thing that you seem to be having problems with.
If what you want is financial security, or a certain experience, then ask for that. And make sure you include thoughts of the happy feelings you will experience when the money arrives, or you may find that one of the ways money can come is in the form of an inheritance from a loved one, or an insurance settlement from an injury that prevents you from enjoying the money. Be positive and be specific.
Reframe your desires in the form of positive statements that include gratitude and your intended, desired outcome. Consider the following examples:
Negative – “I need more money so I won’t be in debt anymore!”
Affirmative – “I am grateful now that I am experiencing financial freedom and security!”
Declare your desire in the form of an affirmative statement of gratitude for what you have already received – whether or not you have received the experience already. Remember, “Declare a thing and it is so.” Now, write down your desire – whatever you wrote down for question number one:
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Now write this desire in the form of a positive, or affirmative, declaration. Make sure to include the sentiment of gratitude; and phrase your affirmation as if you are grateful that it has already come to pass.
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Revisit this affirmation as often as possible; repeating affirmations builds belief at a very deep level. As you work through the rest of the process, refer back to this affirmation, or positive statement of desire, to see if the steps you are taking, or the plans you are making, feel to you as if they are moving you in this direction. And, most important of all, make sure you are having fun with this process!
Some Related Key Points from The Belief Formula:
· We live in a mental Universe where thoughts are things; and all prayers are answered in one way or another.
· Your thoughts determine your experience; if your thoughts are chaotic, your life will be chaotic; while peaceful thoughts create a peaceful life.
· Likewise, if your life is chaotic, stressful, or miserable, then you know the thoughts you are having are creating these experiences and you can change the thoughts you are thinking in order to bring them more in alignment with what you want.
· All religions deal with the human mind and thought. All religious teachings give advice on how to think in order to create certain conditions – ideally a life you love.
· Prayer is simply thought concentrated on a specific desire; we are always thinking, but we are not always specific with our thought – which is why our lives are scattered and unfocused.
· There are many things you can do with your mind, effective prayer is only one of them; and it requires a concentrated awareness of the thoughts (prayers) in your mind.
· The more you learn about your mind, the better you will be able to operate it. It is the mind with which you pray and create your future; if you know how to use it better, it is only reasonable that you could do better things for yourself, or be more effective at the things you currently do with your mind.
· Fear, negative emotions, stress, and other forms of resistance, impede the flow of information through your body and mind; these things impede the sending and receiving of thought energy – or prayer.
· If your mind is not functioning properly, or you haven’t been properly trained in its use, it simply will not produce the effects you are hoping for.
· Everyone has thoughts, and always has; therefore, everyone prays. Thinking/praying preceded all religions; and religions were developed through the use of thought and prayer. Religions were also developed as ways of teaching large groups of people about the nature of thought, and the nature of life and the Universe in which we live. All of this requires constant thought in order to extract true meaning and value from ancient writings and teachings. Prayer (thought) is automatic and continuous; effective prayer (effective thinking) is a learned skill.
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After all the work I did trying to get the blank lines aligned, they just didn’t convert, or translate, well from my computer to this server… It would be tempting to say that I put a lot of energy into nothing; but, the truth is, I’ve learned a great deal as a result of my efforts, so they weren’t fruitless. Lucky me!
Anyway, you get the idea… If you’d like a pdf of this section, just email me at: Pete@TheBeliefFormula.com and someone will get one to you as soon as possible.
[…] Guidebook, which has also been made available on The Belief Formula blog in the article: “It All Begins with the Answer. What do you Want?” Click on this article for a several page excerpt (the entire first section) from The Belief […]
[…] Guidebook, which has also been made available on The Belief Formula blog in the article: "It All Begins with the Answer. What do you Want?" Click on this article for a several page excerpt (the entire first section) from The Belief […]