AFFIRMATIONS: Using Affirmations to Uncover
and Transform Negative Beliefs and Attitudes
Douglas Bloch
November, 1988
Part of reprogramming the mind involves uncovering those unconscious beliefs that are blocking expression of the desired state. Remember, your conscious mind is only the tip of your mental iceberg. The beliefs that create your inner and outer reality are located below the threshold of conscious awareness - known as the subconscious mind. It is here that your childhood memories, experiences and reality-creating beliefs are stored. The power of these subconscious attitudes is illustrated in the following example.
Suppose you wnat to work with Muhammad Ali's affirmation, "I am the grestest," in order to build your self-esteem. But perhaps your conditioning has led you to believe that you are incompetent. Thus, every time you tell yourself how great you are, your subconscious directly contradicts the statement with what it KNOWS to be true. A typical dialogue is depicted below:
Affirmation WHAT COMES UP
I am the greatest.
- I'M AFRAID YOU'RE NOT.
I am the greatest.
- IN FACT, YOU'RE A REAL LOSER.
I am the greatest.
- YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT!
I deserve to be prosperous.
- MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
I deserve to be prosperous.
- MONEY WILL CORRUPT YOU.
I deserve to be prosperous.
- YOU CAN'T HOLD ONTO ANY MONEY.
What makes this process so insidious is that you may not even be aware that your subconscious mind is sabotaging your efforts. Fortunately there is a way out - Make the subconscious conscious {in bold}. In other words, bring your most deeply held assumptions about life to the light of day where they can be transmuted into new beliefs.
Using affirmations, the process is amazingly simple. Divide a sheet of paper into two columns. Label the left-hand column "Affirmation" and the right-hand column "What comes up." Then after putting yourself in a relaxed and receptive state of mind, write your affirmation. Afterwards, be still and notice what bubbles up from the subconscious mind. Then write the material down, no matter how irrelevant it may appear. The process is similar to free association.
After you repeat this six or seven times, your column will contain a list of the major negative beliefs and assumptions you hold regarding your affirmation. Here is how it worked for Carol, whose goal was to open a fashion boutique specializing in used clothes.
-
Affirmation WHAT COMES UP
I am successfully running my own business.
- I CAN'T DO IT.
I am successfully running my own business.
- IT'S TOO MUCH WORK.
I am successfully running my own business.
- YOU NEED TO BE WORKING AT A REGULAR 9-TO-5 JOB.
I am successfully running my own business.
- THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY IN IT.
I am successfully running my own business.
- YOU NEED SOMETHING THAT PROVIDES MORE SECURITY.
I am successfully running my own business.
- NO ONE IN YOUR FAMILY IS AN ENTREPRENEUR.
I am successfully running my own business.
- I HAVE EXCELLENT TASTE IN CLOTHING.
I am successfully running my own business.
- I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THEIR OWN BUSINESS.
I am successfully running my own business.
- IF THEY CAN DO IT, SO CAN I.
I am successfully running my own business.
- IF THEY CAN DO IT, SO CAN I.
I am successfully running my own business.
- WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
I am successfully running my own business.
- I KNOW I CAN SUCCEED.
Dealing with Getting Stuck
As old habit patterns are particularly ingrained, this process may have to be repeated a number of times before the new beliefs can be firmly established. The amount of time required will depend on the strength of the old belief, your motivation to change, and how often you use your affirmation.
Sometimes, however, the negative responses refuse to go away. When this occurs, ask yourself the following questions: How did I obtain my self-defeating beliefs: (Most of our negative beliefs were learned in early childhood). Who communicated them to me? Is there any truth to them? Do I still want to hold onto them?
Once you realize that you have a choice in the matter, you can keep the beliefs which are supporting you, and release those which are causing you pain. If, however, you continue to stay stuck in old patterns, you may need to seek out a therapist, counselor, priest, minister, rabbi, friend -- anyone who can serve as a guide to assist you through the process of growth and change.
Ultimately, you will emerge victorious. Your being is continually taking you in the direction of expansion and spiritual growth. Affirmations are a catalyst that will speed up the process and make it a smoother and more enjoyable one.
Douglas Bloch is an author, counselor, and teacher. He is the author of a recent book on affirmations, Words that Heal, the first in a series of books on spiritual healing.
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Related articles by the editor/web master:
"The Use of Questions in Affirmation Therapy -
Theory and Examples for Practical Application" © `94.
Theory section explains how this (PRQ) system compares to other affirmation techniques and therapies - how and why they work, advantages of PRQ's, etc. Includes Sample PRQ's (Positive Response Questions) for learning and affirming any desired knowledge. and Simple How-To's in developing Pragmatic use of "the right question" -- from a test situation and/or from regular affirmations. Works well for the intangibles (Personal Growth oriented) which many would say has to come before you can truly enjoy the rest anyway. Personal Growth oriented. © `94
"Questions for INNER-RESOURCING
The Use of Personally Applied Invocative Questions (Invoc-Q's) for Multi-Dimensional Facilitation of Information Sharing, Integration, & Access," ©`96. Includes "An Ericsonian Reading for Resource manifestation," ©`96.
"Attainment And Achievement -- The Alignment Of Beliefs, Desires, And Needs" Basic principles and definitions for functionally clarifying the differences between ones beliefs, desires, & needs and the implications for personal growth, preventative health maintenance, and self-healing
"Whole Being Integration In Manifesting Abundance and Seven Steps To Initiation And Understanding" - Principles of magnetism in the process of conscious personal growth, spiritual integration, and self healing.
Includes special section: "Questions for Empowerment"
Positive Response Questions (PRQ's) designed specifically for Personal Empowerment.
"Questions for Boundaries
Effective Communications of position, intention, & message, Maintaining Clarity for appropriate Connection, Direction, & Protection" ©`96
"Questions for Invocation of 'The Blueprint'
An Empathic and Invocative Healing Exercise" © Nov `96 (at Seeker Magazine Website)
[Available in text form viachaliser@iinet.com (please type "permit2chris" in body of email)]:
"INTER-RESOURCING INVOC-Q's - The Use Invoc-Q's) for Multi-Dimensional Facilitation of Information Sharing, Integration, & Access Adapted for *GROUP* Prayer/ Meditation" ©`96; "Space Cadet's Priorities - for 'Grounding` & Earth-Plane Productivity" © Jan '94; "Facilitated Resource Agreement Invoc-Q" © May `95, "Self-Programming Body Invoc-Q's For Personal Growth Process and Healing," ©`96; "Positive Thinking Explained," by June Miller.
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One is more specific to World Economy related concerns, another to the Communications Media of the United States. And there's one for "The Great Invocation" (with many faithful users of this prayer since 1935). The web page includes an introduction, notes on the Sacred Geometry background and suggestions for use, and help notes for printing. 
Broad
Spectrum World Healing Prayer
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 "World Economy Prayer"
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