30-Day Challenge (LOA)

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by marinik

I am a banker but somehow don't see this thread or this forum to be the place to debate the banking system of the world. In my view it should then be moved to Business & Financial. Correct me if I am wrong. I am really interested in ALG manifestations.

Considering that what he is trying to manifest is job security, it's pretty topical. Sorry if that doesn't meet your thread standards.

[mercuryrising]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

Yeah, it's hard isn't it. I've worked for several types of companies now, in several different industries, for some fairly prestigious companies, and some that were not at all. I'd have to say that the job I liked the most, and did the most good in, through fifteen years of work, was as an entry level tech support agent fixing people's DSL.

It was solid, honest work, and I was just stellar at it. The average call center employee was taking around 20 calls per day. I could answer 50-60 calls per day and fix almost all of them. Nearly everyone I spoke to got online within 8 minutes or less.

Most people hated that job. Speaking to so many customers who barely knew what a browser was, being under the pressure of diagnosing and fixing multiple issues on a single call, dealing with rude customers and ESL speakers, people who still ran Windows 98 and had it so bogged down with spyware it would barely function..

After all these years that is still my favorite job. At the end of the day, I knew that 50 people a day were able to get online to explore the vastness of the internet, the entire spectrum of human knowledge available there at their fingertips, because of my troubleshooting.

Now I make three times as much money, my job title in much more impressive, yet I no longer feel that same passion for my work. That feeling that I could just totally exhaust myself doing it, yet still fully know it was the right thing to do.. simply because the caller on the other end on the line was now that much better off.. it was good stuff.

My favorite job of all time was driving a cab. I met a ton of people every night. I counseled, laughed, learned, had moments of pure solitude. Literally saved some people's lives. Had to learn to assert myself with things got of hand. And it's a job that most only do because they can't find anything else, like drunks, ex-cons, retirees. It's also the closest I ever came to working for myself.

Now I work in skilled labor with greater earning potential within an industry that is growing. And I can't stand it. I work on a machine using skills I have barely developed throughout my life. It's often boring and repetitive. Punching a clock makes me want to punch someone in the face. Being in a warehouse for ten hours a night makes me feel like a prisoner.

I guess this has nothing to do with the topic, but you just made me think of all that.

[Arboretor]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

That's good. It seems that most cultures don't have the culture of debt that we have here. What country are you in?

I am from Germany. But I am afraid we have that 'debt mindset' over here as well, it is just not as bad as it seems to be in the US.
But as the others said: let's better focus on our manifestations - I am not yet as good as ALG!

[mercuryrising]

ALG,

I was reading a couple articles on Nichiren Buddhism. I had heard about this group before. I guess they chant the title of the Lotus Sutra not only to realize their Buddha Nature, but also to manifest good fortune.

I was wondering if you had looked into this and if you had any thoughts about it (?).

[marinik]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

Considering that what he is trying to manifest is job security, it's pretty topical. Sorry if that doesn't meet your thread standards.

If the topic is how to manifest job security then it is how to manifest... not a discussion if the banking industry is, or is not the same in our countries, exploitative... manipulative, a thing of culture, mentality, greed or what ever...corporate narrow interest... I can go on for days.

I am interested in how ALG is going to manifest this state of being. And is it really what he wants to manifest in its own core value, or financial security for his family and a career that truly fulfills his hearts desire.

Sometimes we are all very aware that we need to be careful what we wish for because we just might get it exactly the way we intended. To be clear if your reality has a banking system that will strangle all who have any contact with it then if I understand anything about IM take responsibility for it.

I don't want to argue with a moderator and have no "standards" for threads except the topic that the OP started.

Very sorry if I offended anybody.

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by marinik

If the topic is how to manifest job security then it is how to manifest... not a discussion if the banking industry is, or is not the same in our countries, exploitative... manipulative, a thing of culture, mentality, greed or what ever...corporate narrow interest... I can go on for days.

I am interested in how ALG is going to manifest this state of being. And is it really what he wants to manifest in its own core value, or financial security for his family and a career that truly fulfills his hearts desire.

Sometimes we are all very aware that we need to be careful what we wish for because we just might get it exactly the way we intended. To be clear if your reality has a banking system that will strangle all who have any contact with it then if I understand anything about IM take responsibility for it.

I don't want to argue with a moderator and have no "standards" for threads except the topic that the OP started.

Very sorry if I offended anybody.

No offense taken. This is just a topic I've been curious to discuss with ALG for some time now anyway.

If we are talking about ALG's manifestations here, and he is working for a bank fulltime, it would seem to me that what he will be manifesting is more usury for people.

Bank executives generally do receive huge bonuses and cool trips for manifesting more usury for people, so I suspect that ALG will be able to easily manifest these things as well.

[Bristol]

I am a banker but somehow don't see this thread or this forum to be the place to debate the banking system of the world. In my view it should then be moved to Business & Financial. Correct me if I am wrong. I am really interested in ALG manifestations.

Me too and I think the current discussion is a distraction.

If we are talking about ALG's manifestations here, and he is working for a bank fulltime, it would seem to me that what he will be manifesting is more usury for people.

Bank executives generally do receive huge bonuses and cool trips for manifesting more usury for people, so I suspect that ALG will be able to easily manifest these things as well.

I was very interested in following this thread because I wanted to observe HOW ALG manifested what he wanted to manifest. At the risk of offending a moderator, I'll say this - If you don't agree with WHAT he's trying to manifest or had intentions of discussing this with him you could do one of three things...

1. Take it offline and PM him.
2. Start a new thread on this if you consider it appropriate to this forum.
3. Do whatever you want to do - you are a moderator, after all.

You have made a choice and looks like you are comfortable with it!

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by Bristol

Me too and I think the current discussion is a distraction.

It's only been 2 days folks, and he didn't do a manifestation today.

Don't worry, I won't ask banking questions the whole time.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by aabbcc

I have to admit that I wince a bit whenever someone refers to magick in terms of black or white. It is neither, really. The intended outcome of the practitioner is what colours the end result, not the means by which he gets there. You can use magick for good and you can use it for bad, but the magick itself is merely a tool and not inherently good nor bad.

Well basically I am concerned about the situation where I get what I want, but as part of the process, something happens which I DON'T want.

For example, suppose I manifest for a promotion. Subsequently my boss dies, and I am promoted to take his place.

I DON'T want this (ie I don't want my boss to have to die) .... which is why I intend that my promotion intention, if it manifests, must manifest in a way that is for the highest good of all concerned.

As for the Tarot reading, you could always pull a single card after putting out your intention to get a sense of where it's going. I often do that and it seems to work well; however, you need to be fairly proficient with the Tarot to get much out of single card readings.

Mmmm .... I've never tried that. Will give it a go, not sure how well it will work out for me.

Have you ever done a reading before putting out the intention to see if what you want will be a benefit or a detriment?

No, but my wife has done that many times ....

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

It depends. Here in the US too many kids graduate with $75k in debt and very few skills that are applicable to the real world. This is why a lot of people call college a scam.

Well, in my country, the main universities are heavily subsidised by the government (actually, the main education system is heavily subsidised by the government). So the university education here is much cheaper than in the US.

Also there is our social culture where parents generally are very supportive of their children's education and will try very hard to support their kids through university. The flip side is that our culture also has this strong concept of filial piety, where people generally feel responsible for financially supporting their aged parents.

My impression of American society is that it isn't quite the same. There is much more emphasis on independence. Young people cut ties with their parents quite early, move out and seek to support themselves financially and build their own lives. Older folks are left on their own and normally don't expect, for instance, to live with their adult children anymore.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by mercuryrising

I was reading a couple articles on Nichiren Buddhism. I had heard about this group before. I guess they chant the title of the Lotus Sutra not only to realize their Buddha Nature, but also to manifest good fortune.

I was wondering if you had looked into this and if you had any thoughts about it (?).

Yup .... Nam myo hongreng gae kwoe.

My mum is a Nichiren Buddhist. She converted to this religion about 20 years ago. We all thought she was nuts then, and I confidently predicted that she would give it up within 3 months. Well, 20 years have passed ....

When I stumbled on the LOA, which was much later, I very quickly saw that in fact Nichiren Buddhism has a lot in common with the LOA. When I explained to my mother what the LOA is supposed to be, she understood very quickly, because of the similarities between LOA and Nichiren Buddhism.

Nichiren Buddhism isn't like mainstream Buddhism. There IS a deity involved. It's called Gohonzon. Unlike mainstream Buddhism, it ISN'T just about enlightenment, love, compassion etc. There is a big emphasis on asking for Gohonzon for help, in all sorts of practical matters & everyday problems. That is .... it's like LOA, but with a diety in it.

[Acting Like Godot]

Today I went jogging early in the morning, before work. I give myself a round of applause for this. Recently, I have not exactly been very regular about exercise. Anyway, I did my Day 3 IM/LOA while jogging.

For those who haven't tried it before, do give it a go. You can do IM/LOA while swimming too. One advantage of this approach is that as you exercise, you're already burning off stress, excess nervous energy etc. That means you're naturally clearing off your negative emotions and moving into a more positive emotional state.

My theme for today's IM session is "a typical day in my life, 2 to 4 months from now". As I jogged, I used words and images to mentally describe that typical day to myself. (Of course, when I say "typical day in my life", I mean a typical day in my LOA-improved life, 2 to 4 months from now).

I planned to visualise an entire day (from morning to night). However, I only managed to visualise the day, from morning to 6 pm, before I finished my jog. I'll do the rest another time.

These are some things which I thought / visualised about:

1. waking up early, before everyone else

2. going for a jog, enjoying the jog

3. imagining myself jogging in a certain beautiful park (the park is not so close to my home, so if I actually jog there and back, I must have become quite fit)

4. kissing my wife and kids goodbye, before going to work

5. listening to my favourite music while on the train

6. in the office, I sit at my clean, tidy desk. I organise a few things, incidentally picking up and looking at my latest salary statement (which shows a significant increase in the NUMBER )

7. imagining that I've already been promoted. I have bigger responsibilities, but I feel calm and focused about them.

8. imagining myself very efficient at work, calmly and steadily clearing up my work in one solid morning

9. going for a long, leisurely lunch alone in a quiet, peaceful cafe. I eat lunch while reading an enjoyable book

10. after lunch, helping my colleagues with their work (they come to me because I'm the expert)

11. free time in the late afternoon, I update my personal blogs while in the office

12. 6 pm sharp, I leave office

-------

Well at this point I finished my jog. Therefore I didn't manifest what happens after 6 pm. Will continue another day.

[Marth]

K I'll do this challenge with you. I'm going to visualize what I want out of life at least 15 mins every night. GL to you, wish me some too.

[Acting Like Godot]

My boss just told me that tomorrow he would like to have a private discussion with me on my workload and responsibilities.

This is a bit unusual - normally he conducts this kind of discussion with the entire team at one go (so we can figure out how to share the workload, coordinate better etc).

Just have a feeling that this might have something to do with my Day 1 manifestation. Anyway, will keep you guys posted.

[dali]

Keepit going!! By the way the gohonzon isnt a deity. I practiced nicheren shoshu for a number of years and yes it is a form of LoA and it works. Ask Tina Turner!!

[Acting Like Godot]

So very early this morning, I woke. Not sure what time it was, but outside the windows it was all dark. I tossed and turned, but I couldn't get back to sleep. Which is very unlike me. Normally I sleep like a pig.

But of course .... I suddenly remembered Day 3's manifestation, the first part of which is that I would wake up early in the morning, well before everyone else. That's why my mind woke me up early and wouldn't let me fall back asleep.

So instead of trying to sleep, I did some manifestation (that would be my Day 4 manifestation - see next post for details).

After manifesting, I got up from bed and checked the time. It was 6:30 am. Heck, I decided to go jogging. So my "typical day" manifestation was coming true again.

And I decided to jog to that park. Well, I made it there and ran around it, which is also what I visualised. On the way back home, however, I got tired and walked the last kilometre or so, home. (So it seems I am not yet as fit as I visualised myself to be, yesterday :P)

Showered, changed, had breakfast, kissed my wife and kids goodbye (they are all still sleepy and drowsy in bed) .... am typing out this post and will be typing out the next post, and then I'll be off to work. Will plug in my headphones while on the train.

That fulfills 5 out of the 12 points that I mentioned in Post 42. I'm off to a great start.

[Acting Like Godot]

There's this thread, which TonyToneTone says is inspired by me. Participants in that thread are attempting to manifest $20,000 each.

So I have decided to manifest for $20,000 too. This is my Day 4 manifestation. I lay in bed, closed my eyes, kept still, and counted from 50 to 1, visualising the numbers as I go along. Watched my breath a little, and then I began the manifestation proper.

I have no idea where the $20,000 will come from. When one has no idea of how the desired outcome might occur, effectively one just has to focus on the outcome and nothing else.

So I went deep and thought the following kinds of thought to myself, slowly and calmly:

"$20,000 or more is coming to me now ..... I will soon be $20,000 richer ..... The $20,000 is arriving rapidly .... I am about to receive $20,000 from an unexpected source ...."

And that was it.

[Wax Frog]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

But of course .... I suddenly remembered Day 3's manifestation, the first part of which is that I would wake up early in the morning, well before everyone else. That's why my mind woke me up early and wouldn't let me fall back asleep.

I committed recently to having lucid dreams, with my chosen technique "wake-back-to-bed". Lately I have been waking up at 4 or 5 am with no need for an alarm; I'm now convinced that at least the 'programming' aspect of IM works

[Acting Like Godot]

Today's exercise will span one full workday. While I'm in my office, I will keep a pen & notebook handy. Every time I catch myself thinking a negative thought, I will guide it in a positive direction, by writing out more-positive thoughts on the same subject matter. Those who have read the Abraham Hicks books will know what I mean.

I will end this exercise at the end of my workday, or after I fill up two A4 pages with positive thoughts, whichever is sooner.

May share some examples of the thoughts here on this forum ... later.

[52success]

I am also in the $20,000 experiment and glad to read your posts on your own experiemt.

Next time, please record how many times or how much time you spent on this experiment every day, thank you.

[Eisho]

Though I remain skeptical, I applaud your willingness to go public with your manifestations. I am enjoying your thread.

Cheers,

Eisho

[Acting Like Godot]

LOL, I just met a banker (I mean in my capacity as a customer, not as a employee in my own bank).

I think my $20,000 is just about to arrive. Will share details later, when I get the spreadsheet to confirm my mini-windfall.

For those who are curious, this relates to something I mentioned in Post No. 6 in this thread (about my tentative plans to purchase a property). I met the banker to discuss the possible mortgage plans.

Effectively the bank will not charge me any interest, while the property is still under construction (for about 2 years). Or rather, the property developer will absorb my interest charges (for about 2 years).

[Acting Like Godot]

Artist's impression of the project (now under construction):



I would go for one of the double-story penthouses at the top, which have big roof terraces where you can do a BBQ, keep a dog or have a roof garden.

There are two shared swimming pools (one for kids, and one adult pool) and a gym and a playground ...

Main motivation for wanting to move is to get closer to the school which I plan to send my daughter to, in the future. In my country, there is a school registration which gives priority to kids who live near the school. For the good schools, it's very difficult to get in, unless you live near the school.

[marinik]

Great, I did this 12 years ago and I still love it (my penthouse) although now that all my kids are gone (just one left in College) I fantasize about going to a near village and living the quite life, buying a cottage building my own indoor swimming pool.... a huge garden...

[Acting Like Godot]

It's impossible to calculate exactly how much interest I would save. This is because one can't predict exactly how long the construction would take. (The developer is paid in instalments by the bank, as the developer completes each phase of construction. The instalments represent my interest-free loan - interest free while the property is still under construction, that is).

But I did a rough financial model .... The number I got was $23,100. Quite close to $20,000!

I want to add that this kind of "interest absorption scheme" is not at all common in my country. I googled around and found that this kind of scheme is just making a comeback just this year (starting around March / April),. Here's an article I found, about it.

An amazing result for my Day 4 manifestation!!

Now what I need to decide is whether I will really buy that property or not.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

Today's exercise will span one full workday. While I'm in my office, I will keep a pen & notebook handy. Every time I catch myself thinking a negative thought, I will guide it in a positive direction, by writing out more-positive thoughts on the same subject matter. Those who have read the Abraham Hicks books will know what I mean

So yesterday I had a lot of work and I knew I wouldn't be able to go back early. In fact I would have to work quite late. I felt a little negative about it. So I did a short written exercise in guiding my thoughts to a more-positive state.

Around 9 pm, there was hardly anyone else in the office except me and one other guy, J, who handles HR matters for my department. He was staying back late, because he was on a conference call with his boss in another time zone (New York). They were trying to work out the approach and methodology for appraising employees and handing out bonuses in Feb. it's a complicated thing because we are a worldwide organisation.

J finished his call. J asked if I was going home. I said yes. J offered me a lift (I usually take the train). I said ok, thanks.

In the car, J mentioned that bonuses would be really bad this year (banks are suffering). He said that people in our division should expect a reduction in bonuses of anywhere between 35% to 90%, compared to last year.

I laughed and said that I would get it even worse. Why? Because I only joined this bank in June this year. I said that I expected that whatever my bonus wold have been, it would be further pro rated by half, since I'd have been working for this organisation for only half a year, by the end of 2008.

Guess what? J said no. Apparently there is no hard & fast policy about this. J said that in fact he was NOT pro-rating my bonus (as Chief of Staff, he actually has discretion to make such decisions).

Reason is that my boss's feedback about me was very good and had settled in very quickly. (One reason I settled in so quickly is that I'd used to work here before. I left for another job and then I rejoined). Since I'd settled in so quickly, there was no need to pro-rate my bonus.I'd just be treated, in the appraisal exercise, as having worked here for a full year.

So I will get bonuses, as if I had worked here for a full year, instead of just six months!

[Acting Like Godot]

I have done 20 minutes of plain, straight meditation - I did not seek to manifest any particular intentions.

I plan to spend time today tidying up my house and generally getting my stuff in order.

[Acting Like Godot]

People who think that the LOA is too easy to be true .... are wrong. The LOA is true, but it isn't always easy.

Today was one of the days, for me, when the concentration didn't come together. I had a meditation session and a writing session. For both sessions, however, I didn't focus and organise my thoughts enough to create anything particularly coherent or meaningful. I went jogging and spent some time thinking about my goals while running, but I don't think I achieved much, LOA-wise.

In other words, I am currently lacking some clarity on what I would like to be, do or have.

Today I did, however, become clear that I would like to try to use the LOA to cure my kids' eczema. They have sensitive skin, and have had it more or less since birth. Their condition can get triggered by a variety of things, including heat, sweat and seafood. It's something that they can live with, but it's a nuisance.

So, in future sessions, I will seek to use LOA to solve their skin problems.

[Bradshaw]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

Today I did, however, become clear that I would like to try to use the LOA to cure my kids' eczema. They have sensitive skin, and have had it more or less since birth. Their condition can get triggered by a variety of things, including heat, sweat and seafood. It's something that they can live with, but it's a nuisance.

So, in future sessions, I will seek to use LOA to solve their skin problems.

!

This i'm curious about. Please update whenever possible

[Acting Like Godot]

In today's exercise, I have used my memory to revisit my past; and my imagination to visit my possible futures. When I say "past", I mean as far back as my childhood, and when I say "possible futures", I mean right up to the end of this life looking back.

This throws up lots of interesting insights on how I might want to live the rest of my life. But I need some time to digest these.