'Without stirring abroad one can know the whole world without looking out of the window I can see the way of heaven. The further I go, the less I know." Lao-Tzu. 16th Century BC.
Did you know that we cut the effectiveness of our creative, in-depth and total thinking by overworking the conscious brain? When we are continually engaged in 'active-type' thinking we block off our ability to be aware of the messages the creative mind, subconscious and unconscious, is trying to get through to us. The conscious brain is only a small proportion of our TOTAL mind. It is a pity that we limit the effectiveness of the latter by over-use of the former. All our creative thinking, inspiration, knowledge beyond knowledge comes from our deeper consciousness. Our hunches, sense of what is really right or wrong for us also comes from this source. If you want to really think creatively, and also develop deep inner wisdom, stop cluttering your mind every waking moment with surface thoughts. Of course we are conditioned to do this. When we were children, and being at our most creative seeing pictures in the clouds as we gazed out the door, some adult would usually interrupt this inspiring deep-thinking process and say to us "What are you doing nothing and staring into space like that for? Have you tidied your room, cleaned your shoes, done your homework, cleaned the car yet? No? Well at least go and do SOMETHING." And so we got the message that we were lazy slobs if we were not doing at all times, that we should be physically, and preferably mentally, active till we ran out of time and energy.
Unfortunately this translated into a deeper - and more damaging message. That we continually have to prove ourselves through performance. That it is NOT OKAY unless we are continually 'doing'. That this is the only way people become productive, achieve and are successful. The message was imprinted on our subconscious loudly and clearly, that this is how we justified our existence. I see the direct result of this damaging message again and again in the many 'burnt-out' or' driven' people who come through my counselling doors.
The healthy (counter) message we have to learn is that we are okay people, fallible but worthy and lovable - with, as yet, enormous untapped potential, just because we are us. We don't have to do anything or be anything to prove this. Once people can accept this and begin to reverse the early negative imprinting, they usually free themselves up; achieve; succeed; become more whole; better functioning and generally healthier people. They also give themselves permission (an internal message) to 'take the brakes off' and begin realizing their potential. Usually a new message is necessary before this can begin to happen.
The bonus that coincides with this process is that they begin to 'use their fuller consciousness' to put it simply. They begin to see the reality of life; to get their priorities right; to develop more loving relationships; to think more creatively and deeply - and to reach that point of knowledge beyond knowledge where they 'just know' - and it is right. This is even deeper than the point the growing person reaches where knowledge and experience joining together to become wisdom.
What is chaff? What is wheat? Wheat is your inner growth and development, and getting things in the right perspective.
In order to achieve this and not get distracted and sidetracked we must have time-out on a regular basis. Only regular time and space where we provide the opportunity to 'tap into our deeper consciousness', and thereby come to truly know 'what is', will provide the opportunity and right climate in which this can happen. 'Go smell the roses' as they say.
Take Time To Access Your Deeper Consciousness
I regard doing so as a form of prayer. To do this effectively two conditions are necessary. One, you must be alone, and two, you must clear your mind of conscious thought and allow it to just relax. Just 'Be' if you like, and incidentally, anybody who knows anything on this topic will tell you that you do better if you are wise enough to "Just Be' on a daily basis. So when you are mooching around the garden, looking at the sunset and enjoying the sound of the birds nesting for the night, taking your dog for a walk, lying on a beach etc.' do not cut the effectiveness of the benefit you can experience by feeding in thoughts of the "I must do this, I must do that next' variety. Just let your mind free-float and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.
Restore The Balance & Function Better
Some of my hyped-up, hooked on adrenaline, super-active clients almost freak out when I tell them that the first things they must do to begin restoring the balance in their considerably out-of-balance lives and over tired minds and bodies, is to take time out and watch the grass grow EVERY DAY. One senior manager of a large corporation said to me in all seriousness when he heard this “Well unless I put it in my diary I won’t do it.” No comment.
This same man two months later said, “Since I’ve been adopting these strategies (he uses very businesslike language) and listening to a relaxation tape every day, I seem to be making better business decisions, and am better able to see the long term consequences of the actions I take.” I responded “Well, does it surprise you, you’re in touch with your inner self, and are giving your creative thought processes a chance to work as they should.”
Iris Barrow
THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING THAT QUIET PLACE WITHIN - To learn more about this author, visit Iris Barrow's Website.
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