Week 2 – More than Understanding

From the Readings:

H-2.20. It has been found that by plainly stating to the subconscious mind certain specific things to be accomplished, forces are set in operation that lead to the result desired. Here, then, is a source of power which places us in touch with Omnipotence.

H-2.23. The subconscious mind can not argue controversially. Hence, if it has accepted wrong suggestions,

G.S. Scroll I: I have surrendered my free will to the years of accumulated habits and the past deeds of my life have already marked out a path which threatens to imprison my future.

the sure method of overcoming them is by the use of a strong counter suggestion, frequently repeated, which the mind must accept, thus eventually forming new and healthy habits of thought and life, for the subconscious mind is the seat of Habit.

G.S. Scroll I: My bad habits must be destroyed and new furrows prepared for good seed. . . . only a habit can subdue another habit. I will form good habits and become their slave.

That which we do over and over becomes mechanical; it is no longer an act of judgment, but has worn its deep grooves in the subconscious mind.

G.S. Scroll I: . . . when an act becomes easy through constant repetition it becomes a pleasure to perform and if it is a pleasure to perform it is man’s nature to perform it often.

This is favorable for us if the habit be wholesome and right. If it be harmful, and wrong, the remedy is to recognize the omnipotence of the subconscious mind and suggest present actual freedom. The subconscious being creative and one with our divine source will at once create the freedom suggested.

H-2.28. . . . there is a vast difference between simply thinking, and directing our thought consciously, systematically and constructively; when we do this we place our mind in harmony with the Universal Mind, we come in tune with the Infinite, we set in operation the mightiest force in existence, the creative power of the Universal Mind.

G.S. Scroll I: As the words of these scrolls are consumed by my mysterious mind I will begin to awake, each morning, with a vitality I have never known before. My vigor will increase, my enthusiasm will rise, my desire to meet the world will overcome every fear I once knew at sunrise, and I will be happier than I ever believed it possible to be.

This, as everything else, is governed by natural law, and this law is the “Law of Attraction,” which is that Mind is creative, and will automatically correlate with its object and bring it into manifestation.

G.S. Scroll I: Today I begin a new life. And I make a solemn oath to myself that nothing will retard my new life’s growth.

Me:

I see that “understanding” or “comprehending” must be distinguished from “directing our thought consciously, systematically and constructively.” The former is clearly a function of the conscious mind – it evaluates a concept and has the capacity to agree or disagree. If the conscious mind does that and then moves on to other thoughts, that understanding is static – inactive. The subconscious mind is not “impressed” – pun intended. The latter is deliberately repeating that understanding in a fashion that does “impress” the subconscious mind such that it must accept and integrate that understanding into its processes. Hence, (t)hat which we do over and over becomes mechanical; it is no longer an act of judgment, but has worn its deep grooves in the subconscious mind.

The musician’s path to Carnegie Hall is practice, practice, practice. The hours and hours of directed practice is required not because they don’t understand the music. The hours and hours of directed practice is to fully leverage the powers of the subconscious mind to create, in collaboration with the conscious mind, a flawless and emotionally moving performance.

I must take care that my “understanding” doesn’t undermine or discount the need to actively direct my thoughts in a conscious, systematic and constructive manner toward my DMP. Therein lies the path to realizing my DMP – practice, practice, practice.