Questions & Answers RSS FeedMonthly Mind Power Questions & Answers
September 2007
Q I recently completed your book and enjoyed its conciseness. I was hoping, however, to learn something different from it, something I haven't heard before. I have been using affirmations, visualizations, etc. for years in my quest to manage anxiety attacks, generalized anxiety, etc. I must admit that I have come a long way but I still seem to have the amazing ability to set off my anxiety with a split second thought. I often joke with my husband and friends that if I could only harness this power that is available in my negative thinking, I would be amazing. So, to my question. Why is it that one split second negative thought can send my body into overdrive; but a positive thought (even repeatedly practiced) barely makes a dent in my psyche? Why is the negative so powerful? Also, another question. You didn't dive into hypnosis in the Mind Power book. Do you think it has any value for people like myself who have deep underlying fears and/or insecurities? Thank you.
Florida
A Let me answer your second question first. I didn't mention hypnosis in my book because I don't use it and am not an expert on it. Many people report excellent results from hypnosis and I have no reason to doubt them. If you feel it would be of assistance to you, why not try it. Now, your first question. We live in a society and culture that feeds us lots of negative suggestions; we are bombarded by them. Negatives are not more powerful than positive thoughts, just more plentiful. Because of your "anxiety" state they trigger and affect you more than most people. I have excellent techniques to remove negatives from your mind. Check past monthly topics to find the one on eliminating negatives.
Q Since I did the Mind Power course in 1993, my practice has increased steadily, to such an extent that I doubled my income every two years. I was all set to make it really big this year. However, I have been experiencing all sorts of fears this year (I won't be good enough, I won't attract enough work, etc.). I have started my visualization and affirmation routine again, but it does not seem to be working. Can you advise on how one can surmount such fears and put them into manageable form? How long should it take before I am back on track again, and why would I have difficulty to create the reality I want?
Johannesburg, South Africa
A You have just experienced one of the common errors in Mind Power coasting. When you do Mind Power regularly great things happen to you. Things go so well that you figure you don't have to do my exercises anymore, and you coast on your momentum. And things continue to go well - for a while. Then you fall into old habits and old ways of thinking. Fears, negatives, insecurity, doubts begin to once again find their way into your consciousness. And that is exactly what has happened to you. You will have no difficulty creating the reality you want because you already have past experience in how well Mind Power works when you work the system. A few weeks of regular practicing should get your thoughts working for you, and within a few months you'll be back as you were before. This time, don't stop your exercises. Even five minutes a day will maintain a success vibration once you've achieved it.
Q I need examples of people who ignored their dreams. Where did they end up, and what are the chances of anyone surviving if they don't have a dream?
South Africa
A I'm not sure if you mean ambitions and goals, or the images that we have in our mind at night, when you refer to dreams, but we have plenty of examples of both. In fact most people ignore both types.
Dreams (the nocturnal type) are often messages from our subconscious. Re-read the chapter on dreams in Mind Power Into the 21st Century. Ignoring your dreams means being deprived of valuable information, missing opportunities and feeling disconnected from the events of your life. Everyone dreams an average of four to five times a night. You might not remember your dream, but you most definitely do dream.
The second possible answer to your question is ignoring your passion. Again most people do. They compromise and go for security and safety. And what happens? They do survive, but surviving life is not living up to your potential. You should explore life with courage, and trust your instincts and dreams to lead you to an exciting and interesting life.
Check out last month's Topic of the Month from my new book, The Practice of Happiness.
Q I have completed your course back in 1991, after reading your book. It was one of the very few if not the only book that actually made sense to me. I have used your techniques successfully on a number of occasions but now I am faced with what feels like the most hopeless and desperate of situations, and I need to know honestly whether using mind powers will help me. I have a friend I love very much platonically whom I have had a bad falling out with. I have done some very stupid things and got myself into a hell of a mess. I don't feel that mind powers are meant or even could be used to change another person's point of view; there seems to be something sinister or even evil about that happening. But I am wondering if they could be used to bring about a change in circumstances or a course of events that could help promote reconciliation. This person does not want to know me, but I am prepared to do whatever it takes, for no matter how long, to see us become friends again. I really believe in this person and feel that this is meant to be. This is more important to me than money or any other materialistic possession you can think of. I would like to say more but I know that your time is precious; writing like this is not something I would not normally do and I feel pretty awkward. You must get hundreds of these every week, but the pain I feel inside is so bad, I am desperate to try anything. Do you think mind powers can help?
New Zealand
A The sincerity of your letter and remorse is clear for all to see. We should all have such good friends. I don't know what happened between you two nor need I. I can assure you that your Mind Power will assist you greatly. There is nothing sinister about wanting to repair a friendship. Begin visualizing a reunion where you both share your heartfelt feelings and the situation is resolved. See yourself as friends again. Put a lot of energy into these images.
Go to your subconscious mind (see the chapter on the Subconscious in Mind Power Into the 21st Century) and ask it to reveal to you how this can happen. Ask what you need to do. Trust and act on what you hear. As well, release your friendship. I know this sounds contradictory but it actually isn't. Releasing the friendship means letting go of it and allowing it to happen. Take all the pressure off. And forgive yourself. From your letter I suspect you already have, but if you haven't do so now.
Q I have been visualizing twice daily (w/affirmations) for about six months now and it seems like life is at a standstill. My main goal is to live a wealthy and successful life in the Los Angeles area, and I would like to express myself and help others by selling real estate. I always visualize the following: living in a nice Mediterranean house in Calabasas, CA, driving a 2003 Mercedes Benz S600, flying in private jets for both business and personal purposes, and having a wonderful wife and daughter. What I have just described is my "vision of success" as a whole. Am I visualizing too much at once? Should I perhaps focus just on living in my house in California first? Keep in mind I am currently employed, but I want to branch off and learn as much about real estate as I can because I'm tired of working as an employee. I want to do for myself and others. Also, I'm tired of living at home with my mother. I'm 29 years old and I want to get out on my own. I don't want to be attached to outcomes, and I don't want to resist "what is," but it sure gets frustrating sometimes. I would appreciate your feedback on this matter. Thank you, Mr. Kehoe.
A There is nothing wrong with having larger goals, and no one has the right to tell you what your "vision of success" can or should be. However, large goals must always be broken down into smaller goals. A larger vision will require the successful completion of hundreds of smaller goals. So don't just focus on the large goals. Goals such as passing your real estate exam, finding your own place, making your first sale are all steps to your ultimate goal. Set short-term and intermediate goals that will take you to where you ultimately want to go in life. Use Mind Power to achieve these goals. For example, a high jumper who wants to break the world record but hasn't mastered 5 feet would begin with the goal of 5 feet. Then 5 feet 6 inches, then 6 feet, and so on. Your mistake is focusing simply on the large goal without accepting the process necessary to get there.