Back to Basics

I'm learning something new about the way my mind works.

As a hypnotist, you'd think I really would have this down by now, but just because I've had a lot of theoretical knowledge, passed on a lot of instruction to my clients, and have myself used hypnosis and self-hypnosis for amazing positive changes, doesn't make me an expert on using the power of thought to create something.

I have read probably every book published on the law of attraction, including an original great by Dr. Joseph Murphy, "The Power of the Subconscious Mind." I've read Neville, "The Secret," and listened to the channeling of Abraham by Ester Hicks. I've distilled (I think) the basics from all of this reading into a practice that has proven results: plenty of abundance, lots of clients, good health, parking spaces when I needed them, etc. In other words, I've been very successful at directing my thoughts towards a level of feeling that is positive and attractive, magnetizing well-being into my life in a fairly predictable way.

So why was I struggling so much with this channeling business? Every time I've wanted something in my life, I've focused on it and manifested it in my life. I believe if I'm inspired to do something, than the inspiration alone is an indication that I ought to be doing it, and therefore the way will be made, if not easily, then attainably, for me. I guess I mean to say that if God put the desire to be, do or have something in my life, than the plan to be, do or have that something is already in motion somewhere and I simply need to turn my attention to it and activate the law of attraction.

Well it's been a desire of my to channel healing energy since I can remember. In fact, though I can't remember a whole lot of my childhood (thanks Mom), one thing I do remember is feeling that somehow I was really special, and that God had a plan for me that had something to do with healing. Like, literal healing. Laying hands on people and seeing dramatic results. I knew this so joyfully, though in the intervening years I came to truly dislike myself, feel worthless, of no value to the world... real low self-esteem stuff. But that's another story.

Anyway, I believe this long-held, deep-seated desire to heal came into the physical person of myself, along with my spirit. I believe God gave me this desire, and that God knows the secret desires of my heart. Despite decades of wandering from my real path, now I'm back on it and recognizing what I was meant to do all along: healing. So it seemed obvious to me that I could now simply plug back into that awareness and begin healing (others). What's holding me back?

This is what I've learned about my mind: I DON'T KNOW HOW TO CONCENTRATE.

This has become more and more apparent to me, and what's really become apparent is that I have to be in a state of concentration first, before I can get out of the way and let God's healing energy come through. I have to concentrate on NOT being in my regular conscious thoughts, or even in my imaginative subconscious mind. My mind wanders all the time! In the healing work that I've done thus far, I've had moments of utter bliss, where I have gotten myself out of the way and been more of a witness to the energy that passes through me. When I've been in that state I've recognized the power of it and the necessity of being there and staying there: and that took concentration. If for example you've ever tried meditating, and you know the point is to be in the space in between thoughts -- the minute you get there, you say to yourself, "I'm doing it! I'm not thinking!" -- which of course immediately starts you thinking again and then you're not in that place anymore.

And that's what I've been doing. The minute I get into that healing state of bliss, my mind recognizes it as the place to be for the work that I'm doing, and in that moment of recognition, I'm out of it again.

I found a great book, called The Master Key System, which is an early 20th century correspondence course on developing the power of the mind to create health, abundance, etc. I'm excited about this because the first 6 weeks are practicing various levels of concentration. Today I spent 10 minutes (that's right! 10 whole minutes!!) concentrating on ONE THING. So while I'm not concentrating yet on channeling the healing energy, I'm preparing the soil so to speak. I'm exercising my mind, so that when I achieve that healing, blissful state (so far pretty much by accident and pure drive & desire), I'll be able to sustain it. Think of the healing that can happen then!

And I know that this will definitely help the channeling I want to do for spirit guides, and for spirit people who want to come through. If I can stay really focused, if I can really concentrate on how their energy feels, and keep it there without letting my mind interfere, I know that the level of information I can bring through will be even greater. Yeah, I have some pretty cool moments: I'll be doing a gesture the person did when alive, or use a phrase they used all the time, but that's just like a dip in the pool of that spirit's energy.

I'll keep on practicing. I'll keep on telling you what I'm learning. I know this channeling business isn't a gift, but a skill, and anyone who really wants to develop a skill studies, sticks with it, practices, learns from many teachers, and over time becomes comfortable and fluent in that skill.

Maybe, when I get this whole process down, I can distill it into a classroom kind of setting, or a book with action steps to take so that everyone can heal everyone. What a great day that will be!

Please let me know if you have any ideas, inspirations, or if you channel, what it is you do to get "into the zone." Not just for me, but for everyone reading.