What explains thinking? We experience what we think as real to us. We experience what we think as real to us. The principle of Consciousness The principle of Consciousness

What explains thinking? Our thinking naturally changes, moment-to-moment, as we constantly create thoughts. Our thinking naturally changes, moment-to-moment, as we constantly create thoughts. The principle of Thought The principle of Thought

How does thinking work? The process of creating thought is the same for everyone. The process of creating thought is the same for everyone. different The thoughts we think are different from everyone else’s.

How does thinking affect us? We know the quality of our thinking by the way our reality looks to us. We know the quality of our thinking by the way our reality looks to us. That is our feeling state or state of mind. That is our feeling state or state of mind.

An angry state of mind Tension Mood Natural Flow of Thought UpsettingThought X I’m upset and angry!

A calm state of mind Tension Mood X Upsetting Thought Natural Flow of Thought Mind quiets; Positive feeling

State of Mind Level of Conflict Problem Solving Compassionate, Grateful Calm, Clear-headed Happy, Enthusiastic Okay, but Stressed Unhappy, Distracted Confused, Frazzled Despair, Resignation Unity Good will Team spirit Urgency, impatience Controlling, rigid Angry, blaming “Dog eat dog” Collective Accomplishment Effective, Productive New Ideas Activity w/o Results Errors & Mistakes Poor Performance Chaos and uproar Thinking Drives... State of Mind Matters People move up and down across the line all the time

State of Mind is like the weather When calm prevails: When calm prevails: –Warm, clear and comfortable When state of mind is neutral When state of mind is neutral –Partly sunny, variable When stress and upset prevail When stress and upset prevail –Stormy, nasty, unpredictable

How do I change? You are the thinker of your thoughts. You are the thinker of your thoughts. The life of any thought is as long as you think it. The life of any thought is as long as you think it. Thinking is a dynamic process; thoughts naturally come and go. Thinking is a dynamic process; thoughts naturally come and go. If you don’t like the way your thinking looks now, leave it alone and it will change. If you don’t like the way your thinking looks now, leave it alone and it will change.

Leave my thinking alone? (You must be kidding!) We are trained to “process” thoughts, especially if they seem important (either positively or negatively). We are trained to “process” thoughts, especially if they seem important (either positively or negatively). When we aren’t processing thoughts, they pass quickly: When we aren’t processing thoughts, they pass quickly: –We forget things –We get over things –We see things differently as perspective shifts

What if I’m OK and others are still in conflict? When one person changes, the relationship is different When one person changes, the relationship is different –Less fuel to the fire –Infusion of common sense –People are drawn to good will, positive feelings –People want resolution, but just don’t see how to find it.

How do we bypass anger? Not taking our own negative thinking seriously; Not taking our own negative thinking seriously;

How do we bypass anger? Not taking others’ thinking personally; Not taking others’ thinking personally;

How do we bypass anger? Understanding that everyone’s personal thoughts are different - we all create separate realities; Understanding that everyone’s personal thoughts are different - we all create separate realities;

How do we bypass anger? Seeing stress and upset as warning signals to quiet down and allow our minds to settle; Seeing stress and upset as warning signals to quiet down and allow our minds to settle;

How do we bypass anger? Learning that when we leave our thinking alone, it will change - thoughts and moods come and go; Learning that when we leave our thinking alone, it will change - thoughts and moods come and go; Natural Flow of Thought

How do we bypass anger? Learning not to trust or act on ideas we get in a low mood and a stressed state of mind; Learning not to trust or act on ideas we get in a low mood and a stressed state of mind;

How do we bypass anger? Recognizing that we are only one thought away from wisdom. Recognizing that we are only one thought away from wisdom.

What about insight? Insight (literally, sight from within), arises from a quiet mind in a positive feeling state. Insight (literally, sight from within), arises from a quiet mind in a positive feeling state. Effortless Effortless Natural Natural Responsive Responsive Ordinary Ordinary

A secure state of mind Attachment to insecure thoughts disappears. Attachment to insecure thoughts disappears. Gratitude, love and hope re-emerge. Gratitude, love and hope re-emerge. Insight and common sense return. Insight and common sense return. We have good judgment, make good choices. We have good judgment, make good choices. We feel awake, alive and present. We feel awake, alive and present. Our body ’ s healing potential revives. Our body ’ s healing potential revives.

And the best part about it … We scarcely notice it because it is natural. We scarcely notice it because it is natural. Our intellect and our inner wisdom should work together to create harmony in our lives. However, if the intellect lacks wisdom, chaos reigns. Sydney Banks The Missing Link, p. 132 Our intellect and our inner wisdom should work together to create harmony in our lives. However, if the intellect lacks wisdom, chaos reigns. Sydney Banks The Missing Link, p. 132

A Final Question A Final Question How little does it take for you to give away your peace of mind?

A final thought A final thought Life is too important to take seriously.

For further information: Judith A. Sedgeman West Virginia Initiative for Innate Health P.O. Box 9147 Morgantown, WV (304)