Dismissing thoughts, destroying beliefs

[jdiddy]

When trying to manifest a goal, the one thing that seems to get in the way more than any other is a contradicting thought, which usually comes from some underlying belief. For example, let's say you are terminally ill or are balding (I don't want to use money because it's so overused). If you are trying to manifest health, or hair, you will constantly run into the thoughts "I am dying" or "I am losing my hair". Those thoughts come from the underlying beliefs that terminal illness is irreversible or baldness is hereditary.

So in my mind there are two things you have to deal with: the thoughts, which are the symptoms of the underlying beliefs, and the beliefs themselves. Dealing with both of these would seem to be the key to successful manifestation.

So what I'm wondering is, what are the techniques that you use to deal with these opposing forces? To deal with the thoughts, I've seen people use things such as noting the thought and then dismissing it ("I am dying... next"), or issuing a contradicting thought to counteract it ("I am losing my hair... oops, that's not right, I have a healthy, thick head of hair"). Are there any other techniques that you've used to combat these negative thoughts?

And then there are the beliefs, which is where the thoughts come from, and where the real work needs to be done in my opinion. Destroying a negative belief is quite a bit more difficult because they usually come from some kind of experience in your life. You may believe that you are dying because you have seen other people die from your illness, and have never seen anyone recover from what you have. Or you may believe that you are balding because your genes make you prone to baldness.

The only way I can see to remove those limiting beliefs is to tear them apart to see what lies underneath of them. For example, I am dying because I have a terminal disease -> I have always been taught that terminal diseases kill people -> a terminal disease is what scientists have idenitifed as a disease that people can't recover from -> scientists know all there is to know about diseases. Once you've identified the actual root cause of the belief, you can work on destroying that. (Research people recovering from terminal diseases -> learn about instances where people have recovered without any rational explanation -> realize that scientists do not in fact know everything there is to know).

The only way that I can see to really destroy those limiting beliefs (stopping those contradicting thoughts as a result) is by unlearning what you have learned, questioning everything that you have ever been taught. By completely giving up any confidence you have that you or anyone else really knows how the world works, only at that point do you have a blank slate to work with.

Does anyone else have any techniques or input as to how to get rid of these counterproductive thoughts and beliefs?

[Zukin]

Steve's articles in the intention manifestation category have a lot of methods to overcome counterproductive thoughts and beliefs. The book Ask and It is Given also has a lot of processes to overcome counterproductive thoughts.

[nightdiamond]

Hi Jdiddy,
I think one day, a later generation is going to be very thankful that this generation tackled this issue and somehow learned to dissolve negative beliefs or doubts when trying to reach a goal.

However my opinion is that it's ok to feel doubts like that because it's normal. It's just your brain reacting the way it's supposed to in order to protect you from harm, dissapointment and wasting your energy on something.

I think this is where simple persistence comes in. For example, take the goal of losing weight for an overweight person. There's certainly a time when that person will feel it's impossible, the exercise is not working, the dieting is not working. The temptation to give up is strong. But the ones that keep exercising and stick to their diet often do lose weight, achieve their goal (believe it or not it happens). The ones that do give up remain the same weight or move on to something else.

One suggestion I have is to let it be ok to have the doubts, go easy on yourself. It doesn't mean you are giving in to them only understanding that your brain has doubts. This can give you a break from worrying if your doubts are interfering with the process. This may sound strange, but just because you have doubts, who says that it has to ruin the entire process? Ask someone who lost weight by dieting and exercising!

As for techniques if you're game you can try EFT. It is said to have dissolved major emotional problems for many people as well as negative feelings and beliefs. Design your statements around your doubts and goals you are trying to manifest. Practice it often and be persistent with it, you may be surprised.


Good Luck..

[Maguru]

I completely relate to the negative beliefs having a powerful hold over the counteracting positive thoughts. I found if my intention or positive thought clashed with a belief, I myself knew it wasn't true. Does this make sense? Although I was aware of the negative thoughts and tried letting them go etc, it became a constant vigil and would not change until I found the offensive belief.

I have found that it is a very personal process and will be different for everyone, but the basis of manifesting one's own experiences is that which the individual believes to be true.

Until I built my intentions and positive thinking on a true belief, then nothing worked. I think on occasions it was just negative way of thinking but mostly I have had to find these beliefs, challenge them and change them. I was so much in the 'dark' and it isn't easy and a slow process, but from where I was before, it is worth it.

Originally Posted by jdiddy

When trying to manifest a goal, the one thing that seems to get in the way more than any other is a contradicting thought, which usually comes from some underlying belief. For example, let's say you are terminally ill or are balding (I don't want to use money because it's so overused). If you are trying to manifest health, or hair, you will constantly run into the thoughts "I am dying" or "I am losing my hair". Those thoughts come from the underlying beliefs that terminal illness is irreversible or baldness is hereditary.

So in my mind there are two things you have to deal with: the thoughts, which are the symptoms of the underlying beliefs, and the beliefs themselves. Dealing with both of these would seem to be the key to successful manifestation.

So what I'm wondering is, what are the techniques that you use to deal with these opposing forces? To deal with the thoughts, I've seen people use things such as noting the thought and then dismissing it ("I am dying... next"), or issuing a contradicting thought to counteract it ("I am losing my hair... oops, that's not right, I have a healthy, thick head of hair"). Are there any other techniques that you've used to combat these negative thoughts?

And then there are the beliefs, which is where the thoughts come from, and where the real work needs to be done in my opinion. Destroying a negative belief is quite a bit more difficult because they usually come from some kind of experience in your life. You may believe that you are dying because you have seen other people die from your illness, and have never seen anyone recover from what you have. Or you may believe that you are balding because your genes make you prone to baldness.

The only way I can see to remove those limiting beliefs is to tear them apart to see what lies underneath of them. For example, I am dying because I have a terminal disease -> I have always been taught that terminal diseases kill people -> a terminal disease is what scientists have idenitifed as a disease that people can't recover from -> scientists know all there is to know about diseases. Once you've identified the actual root cause of the belief, you can work on destroying that. (Research people recovering from terminal diseases -> learn about instances where people have recovered without any rational explanation -> realize that scientists do not in fact know everything there is to know).

The only way that I can see to really destroy those limiting beliefs (stopping those contradicting thoughts as a result) is by unlearning what you have learned, questioning everything that you have ever been taught. By completely giving up any confidence you have that you or anyone else really knows how the world works, only at that point do you have a blank slate to work with.

Does anyone else have any techniques or input as to how to get rid of these counterproductive thoughts and beliefs?

[Angela]

jdiddy, I'm also dealing with some clinging beliefs and habitual ways of thinking that arise from those beliefs. If I fight either the beliefs or the habitual thoughts, I find they just stick around and give me a headache. When I acknowledge them and then let them go, they gradually lose their power over me.

The most important thing for me is just to remain vigilant -- to stay awake and not go unconscious when making my decisions; also to watch for my triggers -- like if I've gone too long without eating, I'm more vulnerable to making non-conscious choices.

Then, I've got my little mnemonic devices: confronted by a clinging belief or habitual way of thought, I'll do one or all of the following:
-- ask myself, "is that true?" for some reason, that question immediately frees me to think other thoughts.
-- invoke my secret magic word. I use this word as an instant key to any thought that's locking me up. It's funny, but now if my friends catch me being unconscious (e.g., saying something that indulges feelings of being worthless or other old thoughts that don't serve me), they'll actually use my magic word at me, as they've heard me use it and figured out what I'm doing without having had it explained to them. My pals are very smart people! (I guess my word is not so secret.)
-- Imagine a possibility that works better in that moment (joy, freedom, connection) as a big ball in my arms that I am holding in front of me. I can't "hold" the negative thought if I'm holding the one that works.

Be alert! California needs more lerts.

[cylon]

Angela, "vigilant" was my word to hear or read for the last few minutes. Not an uncommon word, but there you go. Also thinking exactly about this topic right now... all the scarcity thoughts that make us cling to what we have or may have. Don't resist resistance?

... I like your holding the ball method.

[ReallyGoodIdeas]

I use EFT on the negative thoughts. If you are intending something, and your subconscious is following on with "but you can't because...", you are actually intending the negative thought.

Once you've dealth with the negative "tail enders" your intention will be "clean" and strong.

Somtimes the negatives are very strong. They are stemming from core beliefs that may even be part of your identity. These take more than one round of EFT, they take some work (still quicker than any other methods I know), but once they're gone, you feel SO much better and the manifestation seems completely natural.

I've written about this on my website below

Much joy to you
Hazel