Emotion vs Mind/Belief

[Mindful]

First off, I'd like to say that I realize emotions are linked with mind/beliefs and to an extent, separating them is erroneous dualistic thinking. But for practical discussion, let's separate them.

So I think there are different ways of doing LoA. The Abraham/Esther Hicks school of LoA emphasize emotions. Emotions are at the center of their teaching.

On the other hand, I am simply not an emotional or passionate person. I am extremely logical, analytical, and objective. I've manifested plenty of things, but when I intentionally manifest something, I don't inject any emotion into them. I do my best manifesting when I'm in an impartial, relaxed state of mind.. I guess you would call it the "alpha state."

Now, it is common belief that emotions are the "be all end all" of intention manifestation. "Be happy, stop being so negative and miserable or you'll never attract what you want!" We all sort of assume this stance, but is it true from your own personal experience? When you perform intention manifestation, do you find that using emotions is the most powerful way, or do you find that a calm and relaxed state of mind is better conductive to manifesting?

To me, the whole emotion argument just doesn't make sense. I've manifested what I desired when I was miserable, happy, excited, lethargic, etc. I've seen no correlation between emotions and LoA. The only link that I can see is that if you're good at LoA, you end up attracting what you want in your life, and that makes you happy. But that doesn't mean happiness makes you good at LoA.

Feel free to discuss and add from your own experiences (and not just from something you read in a book, please).

[Jarrod]

My understanding was you just have to intend something will happen and believe it. The only obstacle being elements in you that don't believe it.

However I'm very new to manifestation so I'll watch this thread closely.

[wellbeing]

My approach to the LoA combines both mental and emotional practises. This makes sense to me because I have a mental aspect as well as an emotional one. And that may be due to the fact that I learned about the Law of Attraction first through the New Thought teachers and my path led me to Abraham-Hicks (and continues....)

I'm glad you found a tool that works for you; would you be surprised to know it's very similar to Abraham's Creative Workshop Process? For me, what gives me the best result, when I'm intending in that "alpha state," is when I can experience the manifestation, already having it. That reinforces my belief.

I do think Abraham (and I combine them, so please don't take this as an argument of one school is better than the other) highlights a part of the process that many students of previous LoA teachers have trouble with: staying focused on their intention. The Abraham processes help me to recognize when I have beliefs that counter my Intention and then I can use my arsenal of tools (from many teachers) to resolve the conflict and speed up the Manifestation.

[Lauxa]

I think the relaxed/alpha state of mind and happiness are the same thing.

What kinds of things have you manifested? Have you manifested magickal things like parking spaces or green lights, or just things that have come about by your own efforts?

I was manifesting better in a more relaxed/happy state of mind, both from getting better results from my own efforts and also things like getting help from strangers and good parking spaces.

[Mindful]

wellbeing - emotions have to be incorporated somewhere, but I think in the most popular teachings like Abraham/Hicks, The Secret, etc, it seems over-emphasized. I'm seriously beginning to think some authors overemphasize it for the feel-good factor, to keep customers coming back.

Lauxa- Altering your state of conscious (such as to alpha or theta state) and happiness are two different things. But putting yourself in the alpha state does make being happy easier later on though, I'll admit.

And yes, I've manifested things that have required zero effort on my part and I've manifested things that have required some easy effort.

I'm not saying emotions shouldn't be a factor at all. They're important.. After all, if you're extremely depressed of course you won't want to do anything including IM. I just don't think they're that big an ingredient in LoA in and of itself, but I'm curious if anyone's personal experience contradicts my findings

[Wax Frog]

Maintaining an upbeat mood is going a long way toward helping me keep up my practice. It's proving to be invaluable for this habitual and impatient doubter. Besides, feeling good feels good

Still, I hope this thread plays out substantially, so I can refine my own nascent* efforts through it...

*Hooray, I finally got to use 'nascent'!

Originally Posted by Mindful

Lauxa- Altering your state of conscious (such as to alpha or theta state) and happiness are two different things. But putting yourself in the alpha state does make being happy easier later on though, I'll admit.

Lately I've had this weird but really good feeling, one I can't come up with a word for. Almost like being "clean and crystal clear" inside. In any case, last night I was successful in carrying that feeling over into my meditative state. So I must ask: In your opinion, is it possible to be in an alpha state and "emote" at the same time, or is what I'm feeling possibly something other than emotion?

[Anagogy]

Originally Posted by Mindful

To me, the whole emotion argument just doesn't make sense. I've manifested what I desired when I was miserable, happy, excited, lethargic, etc. I've seen no correlation between emotions and LoA. The only link that I can see is that if you're good at LoA, you end up attracting what you want in your life, and that makes you happy. But that doesn't mean happiness makes you good at LoA.

My perspective is very similar to the Abraham model of manifestation.

Emotions are to manifestation as heat is to flame. The heat is not the flame itself per se, but it is indicative that it is there. What does this mean? You are summoning energy towards anything you place your attention on. It's pretty much automatic. What you place your attention on expands. Now, emotions are simply indicators of how much energy you summoning towards your goal/intent/desire. They are not the energy itself however.

In any manifestation there are 3 components. The belief component, the attention component, and the desire component. Now the desire component is the result of contrast, or your natural experiences, which causes you to want or ask for things you currently do not have. This sets off the attention component which causes you to summon the energy of your conscious awareness towards the object of your desire. This will go off without a hitch unless the belief component (also known as the "resistance level component") negates or retards the flow of energy or if you kept your attention on the contrast that gave rise to the desire rather than the desire itself.

So while emotions can be valuable indicators of how much energy you are summoning and previews of what the objects/experiences that you are summoning forth will be like when they arrive, they are not absolutely critical to your ability to intentionally manifest. You're pretty much attracting what ever you place your attention on, happy or not. Whether it comes or not is all about resistance or lack thereof of it entering your conscious reality.

Oftentimes, you can manifest things with very little thought (very little energy). The reason why is because the resistance level was extremely low. You could push a semi-truck with your finger if it offered no resistance to your touch. Similarly, if you have very little resistance attached to a certain outcome, it will require far less thought or attention energy than something you have very resistant and ingrained beliefs about.

[Wax Frog]

Originally Posted by Anagogy

Whether it comes or not is all about resistance or lack thereof of it entering your conscious reality.

What method do you use to erode/eliminate your own resistance?

[torilink]

Originally Posted by Anagogy

My perspective is very similar to the Abraham model of manifestation.

Emotions are to manifestation as heat is to flame. The heat is not the flame itself per se, but it is indicative that it is there. What does this mean? You are summoning energy towards anything you place your attention on. It's pretty much automatic. What you place your attention on expands. Now, emotions are simply indicators of how much energy you summoning towards your goal/intent/desire. They are not the energy itself however.

In any manifestation there are 3 components. The belief component, the attention component, and the desire component. Now the desire component is the result of contrast, or your natural experiences, which causes you to want or ask for things you currently do not have. This sets off the attention component which causes you to summon the energy of your conscious awareness towards the object of your desire. This will go off without a hitch unless the belief component (also known as the "resistance level component") negates or retards the flow of energy or if you kept your attention on the contrast that gave rise to the desire rather than the desire itself.

Emotions are validators or pointers, as you've stated. The three components you outline are true in the broad sense.

Desire arises from contrast to our perceived state, yes. If we perceive we do not have something, we form a desire for what we don't have and focus our thoughts and attention upon it.

What we perceive is based upon what we believe. So as far as I've been able to understand it, perception revolves around what we believe.

If we perceive we lack anything, this points out our belief in lack. We've chosen to see lack by choosing to hold onto this belief. But in truth this boils down to our resistance to abundance.

If we accepted abundance unconditionally, we'd not perceive or experience lack of any kind, thoughts of lack, or any emotions arising from lack.

[Anagogy]

Originally Posted by Wax Frog

What method do you use to erode/eliminate your own resistance?

Lately I've been awed by the ease of manifestation when you focus your thoughts on a desired outcome, and then completely forget about it.

That thought goes out like a clear straight arrow, nothing holding it back, easily accomplishing your goal since no contradictory thought has been offered.

Otherwise, I spend a lot of time imagining I already have whatever it is I desire.

[Anagogy]

Originally Posted by torilink

Emotions are validators or pointers, as you've stated. The three components you outline are true in the broad sense.

Desire arises from contrast to our perceived state, yes. If we perceive we do not have something, we form a desire for what we don't have and focus our thoughts and attention upon it.

What we perceive is based upon what we believe. So as far as I've been able to understand it, perception revolves around what we believe.

If we perceive we lack anything, this points out our belief in lack. We've chosen to see lack by choosing to hold onto this belief. But in truth this boils down to our resistance to abundance.

If we accepted abundance unconditionally, we'd not perceive or experience lack of any kind, thoughts of lack, or any emotions arising from lack.

You're right. However, I haven't quite reached the point where I can unconditionally accept abundance at this point in time.

Also, part of me actually enjoys the lack. Or rather, it enjoys the relief from lack, which I could not experience were there no lack to begin with. I feel that constriction exists so that we may savor the release from it. We cannot experience growth without the manifestation of lack.

Perhaps there is some virtue in lack after all. Or not. Who knows.

[Mindful]

No offense you guys, but I want this discussion to be practical. Let's stop bringing in theories we've read about what emotion is and discuss practical, objective, personal experiences.. k?

Wax Frog - I don't think brain wave cycles and emotions have to be mutually exclusive. For example, when you're dreaming you can experience all the emotions you experience when you're awake, right? At the same time however, I notice that when I intentionally alter my state of mind, I don't ever feel extreme emotions. If I feel anything besides clarity and relaxation, it's slight contentment.

Anagogy - I totally know what you mean when you speak about making an intention and forgetting about it. Those are the sorts of intentions that manifest quickly and perfectly. Often times, I make these intentions when I'm not even all that focused. It's more of a... decision that I make, somewhere in the back of my mind. But only one part of me seems to be making that decision. There's always another side of me that seems to have doubts, but these doubts don't seem to slow down the intention at all. It's weird.

[torilink]

Originally Posted by Anagogy

You're right. However, I haven't quite reached the point where I can unconditionally accept abundance at this point in time.

Also, part of me actually enjoys the lack. Or rather, it enjoys the relief from lack, which I could not experience were there no lack to begin with. I feel that constriction exists so that we may savor the release from it. We cannot experience growth without the manifestation of lack.

Perhaps there is some virtue in lack after all. Or not. Who knows.

yes, obviously resistance has it's place because without it we'd be back to oneness and the "God" state. Manifesting necessitates releasing resistance in those areas which hold us back from the experiences we desire.

[Wax Frog]

Originally Posted by Anagogy

Otherwise, I spend a lot of time imagining I already have whatever it is I desire.

I have always had a capacity for obsessiveness (see my 'phobia' posts), so this option will probably work out better for me. Thanks!

[Wax Frog]

Originally Posted by Mindful

No offense you guys, but I want this discussion to be practical. Let's stop bringing in theories we've read about what emotion is and discuss practical, objective, personal experiences.. k?

Sorry! My [weak] alibi is that I was giving you an opening to clarify your own stance

Note to self: meditation-compatible emotions exist, and are to be encouraged.

[torilink]

Originally Posted by Mindful

First off, I'd like to say that I realize emotions are linked with mind/beliefs and to an extent, separating them is erroneous dualistic thinking. But for practical discussion, let's separate them.

So I think there are different ways of doing LoA. The Abraham/Esther Hicks school of LoA emphasize emotions. Emotions are at the center of their teaching.

On the other hand, I am simply not an emotional or passionate person. I am extremely logical, analytical, and objective. I've manifested plenty of things, but when I intentionally manifest something, I don't inject any emotion into them. I do my best manifesting when I'm in an impartial, relaxed state of mind.. I guess you would call it the "alpha state."

Now, it is common belief that emotions are the "be all end all" of intention manifestation. "Be happy, stop being so negative and miserable or you'll never attract what you want!" We all sort of assume this stance, but is it true from your own personal experience? When you perform intention manifestation, do you find that using emotions is the most powerful way, or do you find that a calm and relaxed state of mind is better conductive to manifesting?

To me, the whole emotion argument just doesn't make sense. I've manifested what I desired when I was miserable, happy, excited, lethargic, etc. I've seen no correlation between emotions and LoA. The only link that I can see is that if you're good at LoA, you end up attracting what you want in your life, and that makes you happy. But that doesn't mean happiness makes you good at LoA.

Feel free to discuss and add from your own experiences (and not just from something you read in a book, please).

emotions are validators and point to what you believe, perceive and think. they don't create and I guess being neutral would be a good thing too for manifesting.

I think with Abraham Hicks what they are doing is rather than insisting one must observe thoughts (like tolle does) - they advise to observe emotions instead and making a choice to feel more positive - by choosing to feel good, it will naturally lead to more positive thoughts.

I don't put as much weight into emotions & thought as I do into my beliefs. I've had many things manifest just after a strong negative emotion packed ego breakdown - that peace that comes after you've sobbed yourself silly and cried yourself to the edge of exhaustion - then ego just gives up and stops resisting because its tired and broken - then magic happens.

If there is any emotion worth abiding within it would have to be peace/acceptance - which I think is really a rather neutral type of emotion.