A
wonderful exercise for self-enquiry is called looking for the treasures
within and around yourself.

Jalal-Uddin
Rumi says it beautifully:

“You
wander from room to room
Hunting for the diamond necklace
That is already around your neck!”

Our life reflects back to us the way we think, feel and how we act.  
Simply becoming more aware of the things that you treasure about yourself and
contemplating on those treasures can fill your mind with peace and positive
expectations which can impact all areas of your life.

]]> http://www.dortchandassociates.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=45 http://www.dortchandassociates.com/blog/?p=40 http://www.dortchandassociates.com/blog/?p=40#comments Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:23:15 +0000 charlene http://www.dortchandassociates.com/blog/?p=40

There is a wonderful video of an interview with
Bruce Lipton on a show called “The Power of Consciousness” on You
Tube. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYYXq1Ox4sk

In this video, Bruce proposes that genes do not
control your life on any level, your environment does. Your environment is made
up of your mental, emotional, spiritual and physical perceptions, beliefs and
judgments. Bruce further proposes that as you change your response to the
environment, you change your cells. He states, “Your mind’s perception of
the world changes your biology (the chemistry of your body) which changes your
cells.” Bruce then provides a great explanation of the conscious and
subconscious minds, the role of stress in our lives, as well as the power of
our thoughts. He challenges us to rise above the noise of the background and
acknowledges that when we fully have control of our consciousness, we create
our own reality.

This video provides a wonderful jumping off point
to examine our perceptions, beliefs and judgments about ourselves, our lives,
our relationships, our world. You have the power to look at and release
thoughts and ideas that are not in harmony with what you wish to create.

The studies are indicating that tapping techniques are often very effective in impacting the fight or flight response which is a primitive response to stress and initiating a relaxation response.  If you are interested in reading about some of the research, here is a link to the studies: http://www.eftuniverse.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=21.

Chapter 1

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost … I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in … it’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter 4

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down another street.

Application to Awareness, Change and Choice:

In Chapter 1, we find ourselves in the middle of a stressful situation and emotions.  We fall in the hole and begin to judge ourselves, our situation, and perhaps others.  “I fall in.  I am lost.  I am helpless.”  We aren’t sure what to change or how to change it but our recognition or awareness has been stimulated.  Recognition is the first step in the process of change.

In Chapter 2, we fall in the same hole one more time! Why do we keep falling into the same hole? We are still struggling with identifying the actions and behaviors which caused us to fall into the hole and identifying new choices.  We know that the definition of insanity is to keep on doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results but we are stuck in a pattern.

In Chapter 3, we recognize that we are instrumental in shaping our own world.  Therefore we can take action to change it.  We recognize the patterns of thinking and behaviors and begin to ask questions such as, “What am I doing that causes me to fall into this hole?”   Through self-examination, we begin to connect with our power and take action.  “I get out immediately.”

In Chapter 4, we not only change our thinking but make a different choice.  We walk down the street with a hole but we walk around it.

In Chapter 5, we have grown even further and are able to make entirely different choices because we know that it is within ourselves to do so.  We are able to experience new streets.

Every day is an opportunity for self examination and contemplation.  There are a growing number of tools and techniques with which to do this exploration.  The most important step is to make a commitment to your SELF to begin this exploration and then to work on it a little bit every day.

The studies are indicating that tapping techniques are often very effective in impacting the fight or flight response which is a primitive response to stress and initiating a relaxation response.  If you are interested in reading about some of the research, here is a link to the studies: http://www.eftuniverse.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=21

There is acceptance

There is clarity

There is playfulness

There is peace

Letting go of the emptiness – the need to compare

The need to have more… to be more

There is space

To just be

We are free

Because we know

We trust

Our truest expression is love

- Charlene Dortch 12/22/08