I am an educator as well as a coach and am interested in what it is that brings out the best in the people with whom I work. Over the last few years I have read a great deal of research on the power of beliefs. I am convinced that it is essential that I hold, and communicate to my students or clients that I believe in their ability to learn, to heal, and to grow.
We have to hold and project these beliefs even when, or perhaps, especially when the person we are working with does not hold them. In a recent study it was found that teenagers from economically disadvantaged families were more likely to attend college if their parents, especially their mothers, were optimistic about the teens chances of enrolling in college.
I read once about a teacher who was given a list of student names with numbers ranging from 125 to180 after their names at the beginning of the school year. Believing that she had been given a class of gifted students, she worked hard all year to provide opportunities for these students to do well. At the end of the year she asked for another class of gifted students since they had all performed outstandingly. She was told that the numbers were their locker numbers, not their IQs.
In transpersonal therapy the belief held by the therapist or healer about their client is an important component of the therapy. There is solid research to back this up. Marilyn Schlitz at the Institute of Noetic Sciences is carrying out some interesting research on intentionality, which she defines as the "projection of awareness, with purpose and efficacy, toward some object or outcome." In his review of the research on human interconnectedness, Braud claims that the mental and emotional processes of one person can directly influence the mental or physical processes of another person. Hibbard claims that she experiences "the use of intentionality in psychotherapy as an extremely potent form of spiritual healing." Benor, who began as a skeptic of spiritual healing says "Just holding an intent brings healing energies and spiritual awareness into the therapy."
Elizabeth Targ refers to medical research that bad spirit strates the powerful positive effects of the belief of the physician in the treatment offered. She also cites Braud and Schlitz' work on distant intentionality which dramatically bad spirit strates the ability of one person's thoughts to influence the physical state of another person.
She urges medical practitioners to "consciously activate their own images of wellness for each patient with whom they work." In order to help our students or our clients to let go of self-defeating beliefs and to hold life-affirming beliefs, we have to hold those for ourselves as well as about our clients. I use Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), which is a powerful process for reducing or eliminating old, unhealthy, negative beliefs and allowing life-affirming beliefs to surface.
Lorna Minewiser, Ph.D has been helping people reduce their stress for more than 15 years. She offers individual and group coaching, workshops, CDs, e-books and Stress Reduction and Relaxation kits. She is available for presentations on the power of beliefs and on Emotional Freedom Techniques. For more information you can reach her at http://www.thestressreductioncoach.com
Have you ever considered that you may be subconsciously sabotaging...
Humans tend to categorize things by large or small, bright...
Life is the greatest roller coaster ride we will ever...
At some point in our careers, we may find ourselves...
The only thing between you and your desire to be...
Do you ever find yourself thinking, "Life has taught me...
"In life, if you give yourself a concession, you'd take...
If you think you are a loser, you train or...
We all know there are ways to become a better...
From experience, one of the biggest stumbling blocks for people...
Most of us life to think that our problems are...
Imagine what your life would be like if you could...
Life can be downright scary - sometimes more than others....
If you are a parent, it is up to you...
If your life is difficult--if it's challenging, exasperating, and vexatious--...
Know your limits. Accept what you can't change and let...
The one thing that is absolutely vital to overcoming shyness...
Our thoughts define who we are. They can make us...
Many people find it extremely difficult to be assertive, whether...
As I walked my dogs recently on what "should" have...
Striving to improve our self esteem is on everybody's mind....
Many people would say that it is absolute madness to...
1. Smile2. Laugh3. Greet people courteously4. Be enthusiastic5. Dream. Engage...
How many times have you heard someone say, "Hey, cheer...
Changing Negative Thoughts into Positive Thoughts is a key lesson...
Words, Ignorance, and Casper The Friendly Ghost!Do your best to...
Are you aware of your inner dialogue? If not, you...
WhenWhen we have feelings for someone or something, we have...
I am an educator as well as a coach and...
"At birth, a baby's brain contains 100 billion neurons, roughly...
Well I've finally done it...I turned my heat on. After...
Keep focusing on the fullness of your life: Keep remembering...
One of things that Charismatic people share is an unshakeable...
Our thoughts really belong to the collective consciousness of the...
In 1978, Erma Bombeck wrote a book entitled "The Grass...
Bosses can't control many things at work. In fact, they...
Did you know that our thoughts may be influencing our...
I once heard the story of a grown bear that...
Being a mom can take a toll on your body,...
So, is this really where you thought you'd be? You're...
Can you really plan a life-changing experience, or do they...
How you feel about yourself truly does affect your interaction...
It has been said that CHANGE is THE only constant....
"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude...
Many of you may look at my title and wonder...
Facing a change and want to make it work for...
Life is the greatest roller coaster ride we will ever...
A Model of the dysfunctional, unconscious human psyche. A way...
Why do we really need the experiences that we have...
Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System...
Positive Attitude Tips Positive Attitude Tips |