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Chado2423 · 09-09-2007, 07:49 PM

Coming into LOA as a relatively newbie I learned of course about visualization and positive affirmations. But I tried the techniques and soon realized that they weren't always working. But then I delved deeper. Why weren't they working? Was it my belief system? Was it incompetence? Was it faulty affirmations? What drove the power away from me instead of toward me?

Unfortunately, or fortunatealy depending on you p.o.v., I discoverred that there really wasn't ONE particular reason why any affirmation may or may not work. But here are some pointers (albeit this is a limited list) that I have discovered.

#1. The affirmation is an inaccurate interpretation of your present state of existence. (This would be like saying "I am a millionare" repeatedly, but no wealth ever coming in. The reason, if you are currently NOT a millionare stating that you ARE one doesn't necessarily make it so. I know, I know they state that this is what you are supposed to do... WRONG!
The alternative: The affirmation needs to be an accurate statement of who you are: "I am strong and powerful" is a more accurate model IF you already feel this way, but if you do not you might as well be saying that you are a monkey. Instead you can state "I may not have as much strength as I would like, but I am working on developing more strenght and soon I'll be more powerful than ever!" The false affirmation can be just as self-defeating as stating in the negative. In other words "I own an island" is false (or at least false for me) and repeatedly telling myself that I own an island doesn't make me an island owner. Instead even I begin to believe this, it doesn't make it so... and then I'd just be setting myself up for self-delusion, and should check into the state hospital.

#2. The affirmation is too difficult to manifest for you AT THIS TIME. If you have an affirmation it may be something like "I am a comedian..." but you have a fear of public speaking, and are not ready to move beyond that state of insecurity, yet.
The alternative: Use a more positive expression to accomplish your goals... these would fit into the "I can" or "I will" category rather than the "I AM" because they are preporatory afffirmations, and do not deny your present state. This would be like "I know I have a job that sucks... but I can get a better one." Rather than denying how you feel about your current job, you readily accept it... of course there is the principle of override, and override is useful in SOME situations, but purely impractical for EVERY area of your life. Override is where you accept that you do not like a state, but force belief upon yourself that you do like this state (yet, override is a challenge and takes time and work.... accpeting reality and working toward a more favorable solutions seems much more beneficial to me personally.

#3. You do not believe your affirmation. Many people make the mistake of believing this is THE ONLY CAUSE of faulty affirmations. Nothing could be further than the truth... it is merely THE MOST INFLUENTUAL. Of course one who is not a millionaire wouldn't believe that he is one. Why should he? Should he set up himself to believing that he is something he is not? The ugly duckling had to come to accept himself for who he was... that he was NOT like the others, BEFORE he grew into a beautiful swan. He had to accept his reality, but still understand that he was growing. If you have a faulty affirmation... you may still have an ACCURATE beleif. In other words saying "I am happy" ten thousand times, or how ever many your book reccommends, when you are not is NOT the error of a faulty belief. Instead the error is in the affirmation.
The alternative: Seek affirmations that do not rely too heavily on false beliefs, and find ones that empower you in the present moment. "I may not be happy, but I am working on turning my life around." is much better that stating that you have the best of lives, when you know you do not. Do not deny your reality, but allow for a progressive change.

#4. You affirmations are unrealistic. This would be like stating "I'm going to buy a yellow mustang mustang tommorrow.", when you have no job or money.
The alternative: Find an affirmation that tailors to your interests and current needs. The affirmation will have to be something that is deep and profound and real, yet also practical and solid. Such as: "I will get a yellow mustang after I find a job."

There is nothing wrong with using affirmations... but they are a tool just like any other... it isn't so much in the tool itself as it is in how you use it. Beware of using affirmations that "feel" phony, and unworkable... because chances are if they feel that way, they probably are. Instead be aware of your own intuition and seek out affirmations that actually work for you. Don;t rely to heavily on anyone's advice, not even mine, but move foreward in your life and learn to grow, even if you have been "A princess on a deserted island married to Donald Trump, and the happiest woman ever."

09-09-2007, 07:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chado2423 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 388	Why affirmations don't always work Coming into LOA as a relatively newbie I learned of course about visualization and positive affirmations. But I tried the techniques and soon realized that they weren't always working. But then I delved deeper. Why weren't they working? Was it my belief system? Was it incompetence? Was it faulty affirmations? What drove the power away from me instead of toward me? Unfortunately, or fortunatealy depending on you p.o.v., I discoverred that there really wasn't ONE particular reason why any affirmation may or may not work. But here are some pointers (albeit this is a limited list) that I have discovered. #1. The affirmation is an inaccurate interpretation of your present state of existence. (This would be like saying "I am a millionare" repeatedly, but no wealth ever coming in. The reason, if you are currently NOT a millionare stating that you ARE one doesn't necessarily make it so. I know, I know they state that this is what you are supposed to do... WRONG! The alternative: The affirmation needs to be an accurate statement of who you are: "I am strong and powerful" is a more accurate model IF you already feel this way, but if you do not you might as well be saying that you are a monkey. Instead you can state "I may not have as much strength as I would like, but I am working on developing more strenght and soon I'll be more powerful than ever!" The false affirmation can be just as self-defeating as stating in the negative. In other words "I own an island" is false (or at least false for me) and repeatedly telling myself that I own an island doesn't make me an island owner. Instead even I begin to believe this, it doesn't make it so... and then I'd just be setting myself up for self-delusion, and should check into the state hospital. #2. The affirmation is too difficult to manifest for you AT THIS TIME. If you have an affirmation it may be something like "I am a comedian..." but you have a fear of public speaking, and are not ready to move beyond that state of insecurity, yet. The alternative: Use a more positive expression to accomplish your goals... these would fit into the "I can" or "I will" category rather than the "I AM" because they are preporatory afffirmations, and do not deny your present state. This would be like "I know I have a job that sucks... but I can get a better one." Rather than denying how you feel about your current job, you readily accept it... of course there is the principle of override, and override is useful in SOME situations, but purely impractical for EVERY area of your life. Override is where you accept that you do not like a state, but force belief upon yourself that you do like this state (yet, override is a challenge and takes time and work.... accpeting reality and working toward a more favorable solutions seems much more beneficial to me personally. #3. You do not believe your affirmation. Many people make the mistake of believing this is THE ONLY CAUSE of faulty affirmations. Nothing could be further than the truth... it is merely THE MOST INFLUENTUAL. Of course one who is not a millionaire wouldn't believe that he is one. Why should he? Should he set up himself to believing that he is something he is not? The ugly duckling had to come to accept himself for who he was... that he was NOT like the others, BEFORE he grew into a beautiful swan. He had to accept his reality, but still understand that he was growing. If you have a faulty affirmation... you may still have an ACCURATE beleif. In other words saying "I am happy" ten thousand times, or how ever many your book reccommends, when you are not is NOT the error of a faulty belief. Instead the error is in the affirmation. The alternative: Seek affirmations that do not rely too heavily on false beliefs, and find ones that empower you in the present moment. "I may not be happy, but I am working on turning my life around." is much better that stating that you have the best of lives, when you know you do not. Do not deny your reality, but allow for a progressive change. #4. You affirmations are unrealistic. This would be like stating "I'm going to buy a yellow mustang mustang tommorrow.", when you have no job or money. The alternative: Find an affirmation that tailors to your interests and current needs. The affirmation will have to be something that is deep and profound and real, yet also practical and solid. Such as: "I will get a yellow mustang after I find a job." There is nothing wrong with using affirmations... but they are a tool just like any other... it isn't so much in the tool itself as it is in how you use it. Beware of using affirmations that "feel" phony, and unworkable... because chances are if they feel that way, they probably are. Instead be aware of your own intuition and seek out affirmations that actually work for you. Don;t rely to heavily on anyone's advice, not even mine, but move foreward in your life and learn to grow, even if you have been "A princess on a deserted island married to Donald Trump, and the happiest woman ever."