That negative little voice....

[Manta]

Hi everyone,

I am new to manifesting/LOA, etc. I certainly do believe it. I'm not sure whether I believe it is a spiritual endevour, psychological or both (both I would assume). But, I do believe it.

Here is my issue. After I meditate for about 15-20 minutes I read over a list of positive affirmations and then go through my manifesting. For instance, I just started the $1,000,000 experiment. While going though the affirmations and manifestations I hear a little voice state, "hogwash. You'll never acculmulate $1,000,000." Or I can feel a resistance to the affirmations. For instance, I lack self-confidence so in my affirmation when I state, "I am confident" I feel myself recoil from the statement. (I know you'll chastise me for stating that I am not confident as it re-inforces the belief but I need to explain my situation )

I REALLY want my life to improve and I believe I'm on the right path, but how do I get rid of these negative thoughts. They truly just "pop" in my head. I've only been doing this for a few days, so perhaps over time the negative voice will stop.

As anyone else dealt with this? How do I overcome it?

Thank you!
Manta

[renie408]

I have read a lot about resistance to affirmations. A lot has to do with how you word your affirmation. You have to find a way that resonates with your positive energy and which doesn't call your negative self out of its mental cave to squash it.

One book I read said to frame your affirmations as questions and as if they had already occurred. The theory here is that your brain is a question answering machine. Ask it a question and it goes to work on solving the question. Instead of saying, "I am financially abundant and prosperity loves me.", which has the negative troll come runnning out to say, "Huh?? Duh, look around. You are broke and always have been. You suck." Say, "Why am I so financially abundant? Why does prosperity love me so much?" and think on it like an actual question. I have had off and on success with this. I have a BIG and powerful negative troll who does not take being locked out of my brain lying down.

Another approach is to try the "Wouldn't it be great if...." approach. You can figure that one out for yourself. Again, I have had varying success.

And then there is self-talk. Talk to yourself like a loving friend, a loving maternal spirit or something equivalent. This is fairly easy for me because I have kids and I hate to hear them get down on themselves. When I catch myself dissing myself, I tell myself "Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. What you have been is not what you are...blah blah blah." Again with the varying success.

I think the key for me is that there is no one single method that works every time. Sometimes I use one of the above, sometimes I distract myself by putting my iPod on and listening to upbeat music, sometimes I pet my dog or my kids or my husband, sometimes I go for a walk or get on here and talk to other people who believe. The main thing is to be able to RECOGNIZE the negative troll and do something to stuff him back in his cave. I firmly believe that if I can keep him in the cave long enough, he will starve to death. But I realize that is going to take some time. I have 43 years of stumbling around listening to negative input. It is going to take me longer than the two months I have been working on it to straighten all that out.

I figure three months, tops.

[Erin Pavlina]

What you're hearing is your ego. imagine he's a little imp that sits on your shoulder and tells you why you'll never succeed. "Who do you think you are? You'll never be able to accomplish that. You're worthless. Hopeless. You'll never amount to anything." That little guy.

When you notice him, just imagine flicking him off your shoulder. If he comes back, pick him and launch him into the sun. He has no place in your life.

Your higher self, on the other hand, will tell you things like, "You can do it. This will be effortless. You're on the right track." And so on.

It took me a while to recognize my ego but once you've got his number he's easy to spot. Just flick him away and tell him he is not needed or wanted and that you're not interested in his opinion.

[Angela]

That's a nice image of that little voice -- an imp! I would suggest actually acknowledging the imp -- saying, "thanks for your input! Bye!" and then flicking him off your shoulder. The reason I say that to my Little Voice rather than that he's not wanted or needed or that I'm not interested is that my Imp gets riled and argues back, like a door-to-door evangelist.

As sales managers tell their trainees: "A lady who consents to argue is a lady who consents!"

[Manta]

Thanks for the feedback Angela, Erin and Renie. I personally like the Troll analogy..lol

I'm also wondering how realistic I need to be. If the troll comes out when I try to manifest $1,000,000 should I try to manifest something more bitesize like $25,000. Even as I type this I hear the troll saying, "That's hard but okay, try it".

Or, am I limiting myself and still a "slave" to the troll?

My guess is (and I'm new to this) that it is like learning to ride a bike or walk. If I have never ridden a bike in my life and say, "I know I can do this on the first try" and visualize to my heart's content, I'm still going to fall off. However, if I start with training wheels and build up, I'll eventually learn to ride a bike effectively.

What I'm getting at is I should stay positive. Try manifesting things that are challenging but not impossible to the troll. When he does come out say, "I understand, but back in your cave. I'm going to manifest this." As the process continues, I can expand and enlarge my manifestations. I'm thinking that over time the troll will begin to hibernate and rarely wake up.

Also..and a complete aside. Does manifesting work for addictions? I have an addiction that is not substance related, not gambling or anything that I have spent money on, but it is an addiction. I want to stop because it sucks up hours in my week on something worthless. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Manta

[renie408]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

What you're hearing is your ego. imagine he's a little imp that sits on your shoulder and tells you why you'll never succeed. "Who do you think you are? You'll never be able to accomplish that. You're worthless. Hopeless. You'll never amount to anything." That little guy.

When you notice him, just imagine flicking him off your shoulder. If he comes back, pick him and launch him into the sun. He has no place in your life.

Your higher self, on the other hand, will tell you things like, "You can do it. This will be effortless. You're on the right track." And so on.

It took me a while to recognize my ego but once you've got his number he's easy to spot. Just flick him away and tell him he is not needed or wanted and that you're not interested in his opinion.

LOL...maybe I should change my image of my ego from a cave troll into an imp.

[renie408]

Originally Posted by Manta

Thanks for the feedback Angela, Erin and Renie. I personally like the Troll analogy..lol

I'm also wondering how realistic I need to be. If the troll comes out when I try to manifest $1,000,000 should I try to manifest something more bitesize like $25,000. Even as I type this I hear the troll saying, "That's hard but okay, try it".

Or, am I limiting myself and still a "slave" to the troll?

My guess is (and I'm new to this) that it is like learning to ride a bike or walk. If I have never ridden a bike in my life and say, "I know I can do this on the first try" and visualize to my heart's content, I'm still going to fall off. However, if I start with training wheels and build up, I'll eventually learn to ride a bike effectively.

What I'm getting at is I should stay positive. Try manifesting things that are challenging but not impossible to the troll. When he does come out say, "I understand, but back in your cave. I'm going to manifest this." As the process continues, I can expand and enlarge my manifestations. I'm thinking that over time the troll will begin to hibernate and rarely wake up.

Also..and a complete aside. Does manifesting work for addictions? I have an addiction that is not substance related, not gambling or anything that I have spent money on, but it is an addiction. I want to stop because it sucks up hours in my week on something worthless. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Manta

I am hearing a lot of limiting thoughts there. I think that qualifying your wishes feeds the troll. It makes him say, "See? You can't do whatever you want. You have limits and have to learn to work within them." But look around. People do amazing things all the time. My daughter learned to ride her bike in one go, BTW. She was determined to keep up with her brother. The first time we took her training wheels off, she rode off on the bike like she had been doing it all along. She had the bike for about a week and didn't like the 'baby' wheels. She was five, after all. So, don't assume that you can't just take off your training wheels and do any damn thing you choose.

Trolls are sneaky SOB's. They can speak in very reasonable voices. They sound like logic and reason and practicality. In the end, a troll adds up to a limiting and therefore negative feeling or belief. Do you feel GOOD when you think about breaking your goal down into $25,000 chunks? Or do you feel practical?? If you don't feel GOOD, it is a troll.

Which do you want? A million dollars or $25,000? If you want a million, intend a million. When you get into trying to work out the 'how's' you are taking on the Universe's business. You mind your business. Form clear intentions, maintain high vibrations and watch out for the opportunities the Universe will put your way which may require action. Act without limiting beliefs.

Honey, screw the troll and what he thinks he can do. He isn't you, anyway. He is the sum total of all the 'no's' you have heard your whole life. So, forget that. Stuff that sucker in his cave and shoot for your million dollars.

[Antiventurecapital]

Originally Posted by Manta

Hi everyone,

I am new to manifesting/LOA, etc. I certainly do believe it. I'm not sure whether I believe it is a spiritual endevour, psychological or both (both I would assume). But, I do believe it.

Here is my issue. After I meditate for about 15-20 minutes I read over a list of positive affirmations and then go through my manifesting. For instance, I just started the $1,000,000 experiment. While going though the affirmations and manifestations I hear a little voice state, "hogwash. You'll never acculmulate $1,000,000." Or I can feel a resistance to the affirmations. For instance, I lack self-confidence so in my affirmation when I state, "I am confident" I feel myself recoil from the statement. (I know you'll chastise me for stating that I am not confident as it re-inforces the belief but I need to explain my situation )

I REALLY want my life to improve and I believe I'm on the right path, but how do I get rid of these negative thoughts. They truly just "pop" in my head. I've only been doing this for a few days, so perhaps over time the negative voice will stop.

As anyone else dealt with this? How do I overcome it?

Thank you!
Manta

Question:

What do you mean by "trying to manifest $1,000,000". Are you trying to create something of value which you can sell for $1,000,000 in profit or are you waiting for it to just drop on your head as you sit in the Lotus position meditating on it?

[renie408]

Originally Posted by Antiventurecapital

Question:

What do you mean by "trying to manifest $1,000,000". Are you trying to create something of value which you can sell for $1,000,000 in profit or are you waiting for it to just drop on your head as you sit in the Lotus position meditating on it?

Well, you might need to spend SOME time in the Lotus position. (If your knees still work that way, mine don't any more. I kneel with my butt on a stool.) But this is a good point. You need to keep your eyes open for opportunities to act.

[Antiventurecapital]

You know, I never interpreted The Secret as saying that you can get stuff magically. Jack Canfield made the $94,000 in his story by selling a book he had written. Rhonda Byrne has made millions by producing the film and her book/audiobook.

As I have stated elsewhere, everyone who appears in The Secret is an action-oriented go-getter.

[renie408]

Originally Posted by Antiventurecapital

You know, I never interpreted The Secret as saying that you can get stuff magically. Jack Canfield made the $94,000 in his story by selling a book he had written. Rhonda Byrne has made millions by producing the film and her book/audiobook.

As I have stated elsewhere, everyone who appears in The Secret is an action-oriented go-getter.

Is this on the right thread?

[Antiventurecapital]

Originally Posted by renie408

Is this on the right thread?

Reread the thread.

[Manta]

Antiventurecapital makes a good point. I don't think that anyone here or on the Secret is saying you just think it and magically, out of the blue $1,000,000 will appear.

I think the idea (and again, I'm new to this) is that if you visualize yourself achieving some goal, meditate on it, remind yourself of it, etc...the "universe" will know of your intentions and create sychronatic events so that the manifestation will come true. So if I begin to manifest $1,000,000 the universe will perhaps put me in an elevator with someone who strikes up a conversation. In the conversation I discover he is a land developer. We chat and I ask, "How about lunch". At lunch, he tells me about certain things going on, we connect, yadda yadda, we make an agreement and the agreement is worth $1,000,000. Of course I just made that up but you see where it is going.

I know I'm in the minority here but I personally think manifestation is more psychological. I just think that thoughts rule our existence. If you can be positive about life, have a goal, visualize it and take steps to attain it you will achieve it. There are no limits accept for the ones we put on ourselves.

But who knows...can you see my skeptical troll poking his head out of the cave?

[Morgan]

There's already a lot of replies to your question but I would like to put across my way of seeing it, this is what I believe is true.

You have a self-image of yourself, which is (unless you are changing it, through affirmations, meditation etc...) exactly what you are now.

This self-image is key to what you are experiencing now, it is in the sub-conscious mind, you are consciously attempting to change this self-image. However when you make a affirmation such as "I am self-confident" or " I will manifest $1M" these statements go AGAINST how you see yourself now, your self-image.

Therefore, to stay consistent with yourself image you are hearing these negative little voices telling you that you won't achieve what you wish, because RIGHT NOW your self-image is not of a self-confident millionaire.

My advice is get emotional about it, get real deep. Sit down quietly, while meditating preferably, and think to yourself, 'hold up a minute, why on EARTH can't I be a self-confident person?!?!'. Get literally angry with yourself for believing the absurd truth of being unable to be what you want. Say to yourself 'I am being literally CHEATED out of what I want by my totally fictional beliefs'.

That should make a good start to eliminating the negative once you fully realize and believe it is complete rubbish. However your self-image is a belief, much like a habit, it can be changed by almost cold-blooded repetition, as you are doing now. Just stick with it habits take time to change, I think, in perfect conditions, it takes about 21-30 days, based on research from people who have lost limbs, they still act habitually, for example trying to reach for something with an arm they no longer have for about 21 days before breaking the habit, because their self image is still of themselves with the arm.

Thats my views anyway.

P.S. -- Oh yeah don't think it will take you 21 days, thats in perfect conditions, you first need to create the perfect conditions, I.E. Eliminate these negative voices for a start.

[Antiventurecapital]

Originally Posted by Manta

Antiventurecapital makes a good point. I don't think that anyone here or on the Secret is saying you just think it and magically, out of the blue $1,000,000 will appear.

I think the idea (and again, I'm new to this) is that if you visualize yourself achieving some goal, meditate on it, remind yourself of it, etc...the "universe" will know of your intentions and create sychronatic events so that the manifestation will come true. So if I begin to manifest $1,000,000 the universe will perhaps put me in an elevator with someone who strikes up a conversation. In the conversation I discover he is a land developer. We chat and I ask, "How about lunch". At lunch, he tells me about certain things going on, we connect, yadda yadda, we make an agreement and the agreement is worth $1,000,000. Of course I just made that up but you see where it is going.

I know I'm in the minority here but I personally think manifestation is more psychological. I just think that thoughts rule our existence. If you can be positive about life, have a goal, visualize it and take steps to attain it you will achieve it. There are no limits accept for the ones we put on ourselves.

But who knows...can you see my skeptical troll poking his head out of the cave?

Okay, good answer.



My perceptions are a bit tainted by exposure to a pure manifesting board where nothing ever manifests. People there literally wait for money to drop out of the skies on them. They want it to come by magic.

[Angela]

You know, I don't see anything "spiritual" about all these intentions to manifest a million dollars or a parking spot or a mazzerati. Entertaining, maybe. Like buying a lottery ticket. But spiritual? yikes.

How about looking more deeply into those desires for material gain? What would you have if had a million dollars or a parking spot or mazzerati, and why not simply generate that real desire right now? Freedom, generosity, comfort, or velocity -- you don't have to wait for those things, and you're not saddled with the conflicted feelings you might have for the material stuff.

Why are people so stuck on the junk, when we can have the treasure right now?

[renie408]

Originally Posted by Antiventurecapital

Reread the thread.

I didn't see The Secret mentioned. I missed it. Sorry. I still can't find it.

[Manta]

This is a great conversation! I just joined and am having fun!

Antiventurecapital - yeah, it would be rediculous to think manna will fall from heaven just because you asked for it. To truly manifest, I think one must get rid of the negative, be open to possibilities, open his/her eyes to syncronatic events and then plan and DO! Remember in Star Wars Yoda says, "No. Try not. Do...or do not. There is no try"

Angela - the spiritual comes in because in my opinion, that's how it is packaged. Instead of packaging it as positive psychology we are told to "ask the Universe" and let the "Universe" provide. That's where the spiritual comes in (IMHO).

renie408 - The Secret is a DVD movie - Law of Attraction :: The Secret :: Official Web Site of The Secret Movie - it has been on Larry King, the Ellen Show and even Oprah. It has gotten a tremendous amount of press lately. The Secret is the Law of Attraction. In the movie, world renowned authors, metaphysicians, entrepreneurs, etc, explain the LOA, how it works and ho it has been a factor in their own success.
Here is a link to the first 20 minutes of the movie. There was a free link at one time but I cannot find it: The Secret: First 20 minutes - Google Video

[Angela]

Hi, Manta -- yes, this is a fun conversation!

I don't see how "asking the universe" for a million dollars makes it a spiritual practice. If I ask the universe to wring Anne Coulter's neck, is that a spiritual practice? No. Again, it's an entertaining thought, but not spiritual. The spirituality would come in looking at why she drives me batshit, and practicing forgiveness and surrender. (I'm not ready to go there yet.)

[Antiventurecapital]

Originally Posted by Angela

Hi, Manta -- yes, this is a fun conversation!

I don't see how "asking the universe" for a million dollars makes it a spiritual practice. If I ask the universe to wring Anne Coulter's neck, is that a spiritual practice? No. Again, it's an entertaining thought, but not spiritual. The spirituality would come in looking at why she drives me batshit, and practicing forgiveness and surrender. (I'm not ready to go there yet.)

Think of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. You first need to take care of the physical needs of life like food and shelter before you can get all spiritual. It's hard being spiritual when you are worried about making the rent payment or affording medical treatment for an ailment.

[Manta]

I guess you're right...it just "feels" spiritual to me. Not sure why. Probably because in my bookstore The Secret book was on the new age shelf with witchcraft, talking with the dead, etc

[Manta]

Oh...and I love Anne Coulter! Don't hate me...that would generate negative energy and you'll manifest something bad...like Anne Coulter coming to your house for dinner or something

[Angela]

Right! Re: Maslow, if you're in a position of dire need for food, manifesting a million bucks might not be as valuable to you as manifesting within yourself energy, drive, creativity, larceny, or whatever it would take for you to eat. Wishing for a windfall seems to me to be just that: wishing.

Manta, I can see how there's a great spiritual possibility within The Secret. It just seems to me that the pop-culture hollywood-slick way it's packaged appeals to the basest kind of desires, and makes it even easier for lazy people to remain at a very shallow and ineffective level while convincing themselves that they're doing something "spiritual." I don't think you, personally, are doing that; it just appears to be a tendency, especially since The Secret is going mainstream.

That said, I love the concept of the Law of Attraction! Regarding manifesting parking spots, my intention is to walk rather than drive. My deeper intention within that is vitality, well-being and joy. It works every time.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Manta

Oh...and I love Anne Coulter! Don't hate me...that would generate negative energy and you'll manifest something bad...like Anne Coulter coming to your house for dinner or something

I know -- there's something dark within me about Anne Coulter. I'm just not ready to confront it yet. Certainly not over dinner. Actually my darkness is not so much about her as it is about the media who gives her a platform to spew her bile. I'm pretty sure she thinks of herself as a comedienne or performance artist. Why do you love her?

[renie408]

Originally Posted by Manta

renie408 - The Secret is a DVD movie - Law of Attraction :: The Secret :: Official Web Site of The Secret Movie - it has been on Larry King, the Ellen Show and even Oprah. It has gotten a tremendous amount of press lately. The Secret is the Law of Attraction. In the movie, world renowned authors, metaphysicians, entrepreneurs, etc, explain the LOA, how it works and ho it has been a factor in their own success.
Here is a link to the first 20 minutes of the movie. There was a free link at one time but I cannot find it: The Secret: First 20 minutes - Google Video

Ok. That's it. I am going back to take some reading comprehension classes.

Manta, I know what The Secret is. I own a copy. I CANNOT FIND IT MENTIONED ANYWHERE IN THIS THREAD BEFORE AVC SAID SOMETHING ABOUT IT A COUPLE OF POSTS BACK. That is what I mean. Not that I don't know what The Secret is, I just cannot figure out what it has to do with this thread.

[Manta]

Oh...I see..LOL!

I think Antiventurecapital was simply pointing out that some who believe LOA or manifesting think all they need to do is think about it and it will fall out of the sky without them doing anything. He mentioned the Secret as an example of peoplewho use LOA but are also action oriented. They just don't sit around waiting for stuff to happen. The manifest by doing as well as "asking the Universe".

That's my take.

[renie408]

Originally Posted by Manta

Oh...and I love Anne Coulter! Don't hate me...that would generate negative energy and you'll manifest something bad...like Anne Coulter coming to your house for dinner or something

“I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot,’ so I — so kind of an impasse, can’t really talk about Edwards.” -- Ann Coulter

"God gave us the earth. We have dominion over the plants, the animals, the trees. God said, 'Earth is yours. Take it. Rape it! It's yours.'"
-- Ann Coulter

"I think [women] should be armed but should not [be allowed to] vote. No, they all have to give up their vote, not just, you know, the lady clapping and me. The problem with women voting -- and your Communists will back me up on this -- is that, you know, women have no capacity to understand how money is earned. They have a lot of ideas on how to spend it. And when they take these polls, it's always more money on education, more money on child care, more money on day care."-- Ann Coulter

"The swing voters? I like to refer to them as the idiot voters because they don't have set philosophical principles. You're either a liberal or you're a conservative if you have an IQ above a toaster. "
-- Ann Coulter

"If those kids had been carrying guns they would have gunned down this one [child] gunman. ... Don't pray. Learn to use guns."
-- Ann Coulter


Yeah, boy. That Ann Coulter, she's so cute. I just love her.

[renie408]

Originally Posted by Manta

Oh...I see..LOL!

I think Antiventurecapital was simply pointing out that some who believe LOA or manifesting think all they need to do is think about it and it will fall out of the sky without them doing anything. He mentioned the Secret as an example of peoplewho use LOA but are also action oriented. They just don't sit around waiting for stuff to happen. The manifest by doing as well as "asking the Universe".

That's my take.

Ok, that I can understand. I was just a little lost when he told me to 'reread the thread'. I read the thing ten damn times and STILL never found any references to The Secret. I think a lot of people confuse the current popularity of The Secret with I/M and the LOA. They are really not the same things at all. The Secret is sort of a simplified, pop culture introduction to the LOA.

[Manta]

Ann Coulter says things that many (not all, but alot) of us say under our breath, behind closed doors, and in the deep recesses of our brains. I don't agree with everything she states but she states her mind.

Remember, she is selling a product. Her product is packaged in a certain way to compete against like minded authors. Her packaging is harsh, abrasive, controversial, offensive and entertaining. Some people like South Park. Some like opera. Some like Howard Stern. Some like NPR. She fits a certain market niche.

I can only imagine what she manifests!

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Manta

Ann Coulter says things that many (not all, but alot) of us say under our breath, behind closed doors, and in the deep recesses of our brains.

Ack!! That frightens me!!!