The Serenity Solution: How to Use Quiet Contemplation to Solve Life's Problems (11 page)

By mentally immersing in solution states, we can improve response

to critical pressure, leave comfort zones, engage in new and difficult tasks, overcome challenging problems, reach greater levels of achievement, and even heal the body.

Moreover, as we will see in the chapter on harvesting solutions from broader mind, there are additional things we can do to enhance immersion and produce solution outcomes. In that chapter we will learn how to construct intentions that produce quantum effects and increase our chances of manifesting desired outcomes.

Below are several factors to consider when constructing and immersing in a solution state. Keep these factors in mind as we will build upon
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them later in the broader mind chapter when we learn how to create these quantum effects.

Factors That Enhance a Solution State

There are several factors that are keys to evoking resourceful states. As we discussed throughout this book, the first one is a calm focus. We must be totally relaxed and undisturbed; the greater the relaxation, the greater the ability to focus inward. The other key factors are presented below. We should keep these in mind when constructing the mental picture of our desired states.

Focus on a Positive Outcome

First, we must focus on what we want, not on what we don’t want. To do this, we create pictures in our minds of what we want to see happen in a problem situation and not what we don’t want happening. We see it in a positive way. If, for example, the problem is a lack of assertiveness we imagine acting and talking confident. We don’t tell ourselves, “I will not be fearful.” It focuses on the notion that we lack assertiveness. We say instead: “I am confident in this situation.”

Focus on a Present Outcome

We also don’t wish the outcome will happen in the future. We imagine it as though it is occurring at the moment; this sends the message to our inner minds and bodies that we are experiencing the outcome now.

Focus on a Believable Outcome

We also make sure we believe the outcome. If the conscious part of us doesn’t buy it, it won’t pass its mental filter to our inner mind and we will lack the motivation to achieve it. If, for instance, our goal seems distant, such as being happy after years of sadness, and we can’t see it happening in the present, it might be best to divide the goal into intermediate sub-goals.

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Then, we can imagine obtaining each smaller goal one step at a time. To affirm each step along the way, we say to ourselves: “I am becoming happier each and every day and this is my first step to getting there.”

Focus on a Specific Outcome

Being specific is also important. We imagine the exact details of what we want. Recall that detail is vital to immersion effects simply because the body reacts similarly to a vivid mental picture as it does to the actual event. As long as our conscious minds believe it our bodies will accept it.

We spend a few minutes bringing our imaginary senses into the scene and building up the mental picture. We start with the visual; then add the auditory and kinesthetic; and if we want, we can add the taste and olfac-tory senses as well. The more detail we can add the more real the outcome will seem to our inner minds and bodies and the easier it will be to carry it out. For example, if we want to be assertive, we imagine standing confident, speaking steady, and feeling strong in our bodies.

Focus on the Feeling

The most important sensory detail to focus on is the kinesthetic sense or the feel of the outcome. We let our bodies know how they are to perform.

We imagine as if we actually are doing the outcome and let our bodies experience what it feels like to have obtained it.

By imagining the body perform the action, we stimulate neuromuscu-

lar responses that imprint on the nervous system. When the mental action is detailed enough, it is nearly like being there doing the activity and our bodies will believe it is happening.

We also include emotion. Strong emotion easily slips pass the con-

scious mind to the inner mind. An example is when we hear a compliment. It instantly perks us up. Therefore, if our desired outcome is to be assertive, for example, we should imagine the feel of our bodies standing strong and tall and the emotion of being proud that we are able to do so.

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Focus Repeatedly on the Outcome

The next important factor to consider when evoking solution states is repetition. Each time we mentally practice our desired performance neuro-pathways are strengthened and the closer our simulated performance approaches actual performance. The result is an imprinted template of the desired performance that is more likely to be activated automatically when it is needed in the real setting.

We see this process happening with chronic negative thinking. Over time, as we think bad thoughts, we tend to reinforce these thoughts in our minds and bodies. But, if we can produce ill-effects from chronic negative thinking, the reverse should also be true. We should be able to produce healthy effects from chronic positive thinking (i.e. mentally rehearsing desired outcomes).

Use a Trigger to Evoke the Outcome

To assist in evoking the desired performance outcome, we can use a trigger.

A trigger is a snapshot of a particular action taken from the performance sequence that most represents the outcome or it can be a symbol that represents the performance. For example, if the outcome is to be assertive, a representative image of this outcome may be the image of standing tall.

By mentally associating this image with the desired performance repeatedly (i.e. mentally picturing standing tall over and over again as we recapture the feel of confidence), we in effect turn the image into a trigger that can be used anytime we need it to elicit the desired performance (i.e.

acting assertive). With practice, the outcome or solution state should be automatically activated as soon as the trigger is cued.

Test and Refine the Outcome

Finally, the last important factor to consider when evoking a solution state is action. Without action, we have no feedback. We can’t really tell if our
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mental practice has been successful in producing the desired outcome.

Therefore, we must test our actions in the actual problem situation.

For example, by acting as if we are confident in the setting we feel un-confident we can evaluate how close our actual performance matches our desired performance and determine what actions still need to be practiced or added to bring the actual performance closer to the desired performance.

In summary, the key factors to constructing and evoking effective outcomes are to picture the end result, make it believable and specific, focus on the feeling and the picture repeatedly, and then test and refine the practiced performance. We will learn more about how to do this in the concentration exercises that follow this chapter and in Part Three: Solution Targeting.

Physiological Effects of Immersion

As we have seen, detailed immersion has a significant effect on the body due to the body’s reaction to life-like mental pictures. Because of this mind-body link we have much more influence over our bodies than we realize. We not only can mentally practice desired performance, but we can produce other physiological effects such as healing. By concentrating on detailed images of healing we can communicate healing states to our bodies.

Not surprisingly, most of the experimental evidence for the physiological effects of immersion comes from studies on healing and visualization.

These studies investigate visualization and healing with a range of debili-tating disorders, including cancer, heart disease, bone and tissue injuries, infections, and chronic pain. Subjects are taught initially how to immerse themselves in mental imagery and then are monitored before and after treatment. Training typically involves making detailed mental pictures of the illness and then imagining the illness transform to a healed outcome.

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The majority of these studies show that detailed imagery creates statistically significant effects in mood, physical effects, and pain perception, including accelerated healing and increased strength and comfort levels.

Some of these studies have even shown that mental practice is close to or as good as actual physical practice in the improvement of physiotherapy subjects.

The most publicized research on healing and imagery has been con-

ducted by the radiation oncologist, Carl Simonton M.D, who is currently the founder and director of the Simonton Cancer Center in Pacific Pali-sades, California. In his book,
Getting Well Again
, Dr. Simonton presents several cases of patients fighting off cancer by visualizing tumors shrinking in vivid detail.

Simonton’s patients are initially taught basic body awareness and then shown how to construct detailed images of the healing process. They may, in particular, be taught to visualize cancer cells as weak and sluggish organisms, such as snails, and their immune cells as strong and aggressive predators like sharks (and even Pac Men) that attack and eat-up the cancer cells. Afterwards, patients are instructed to imagine seeing the cancer cells shrink and be carried away by the body’s immune and elimination systems. Finally, the visualization ends with patients imagining they are feeling better, having more energy, a better appetite, and more zest for life.

A typical visualization session is about fifteen minutes. Each session is then repeated three times a day for a period of several weeks. Afterwards, in many cases, tumor reductions have been verified by biopsies.

Another source of astounding accounts of body effects with detailed imagery is in the area of monks and meditation. One of the most well-known accounts was reported by Dr. Herbert Benson, a cardiologist at the Mind-Body Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Benson studied Tibet monks for some time and discovered that these amazing monks could

withstand sub-freezing temperatures overnight at 15,000 feet elevations in
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nothing more than sheets simply by visualizing fire brewing and flowing through their bodies.

And there are anecdotal stories to tell as well. About seven years ago, I suffered from persisting chest pains and arrhythmias and did not know why. So, I calmly focused inward and was directed to a place over my upper right atrium. There, I noticed a dark, rigid area. When I went to investigate this with my cardiologist, we discovered the area to be an inflamed sinus node. I then began visualizing this area returning to a normal color and texture over the next several weeks. The arrhythmia eventually stopped and my heart has been fine since.

Another story comes from Rupert, a client of mine who suffered

from cervical neck pain after a vehicle accident a few years prior. Once instructed on how to enter a calm inner focus, Rupert went home to imagine a realignment of his discs as well as a decrease in inflammation in the area in order to relieve pressure off the nerves. The next day, he discovered that the pain had significantly decreased and his mobility in his neck had returned for several days after this episode.

Another client, Samantha, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After

hearing the news, she went home to pray and meditate for several weeks.

Afterwards, to her surprise she found that the tumor had disappeared on subsequent medical scans.

These are just a few examples. There are many more that, along with the documented research on mind-body effects, provide ample evidence that the mind when focused on detailed internal pictures can produce physiological changes well beyond what is capable in a normal state of mind. To learn more how to evoke such healthy states check out the exercises at the end of this chapter.

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In the next three exercises, we’re going to learn how to concentrate awareness on a single target. If you’ve been practicing the focus control exercises somewhat, you should find it easier to do these exercises, and in particular, hold your focus on a target long enough to develop details about it as well as immerse yourself in a desired mental and physical state.

Exercise 5.1: Target Detailing

In this exercise, we’re going to learn how to concentrate our awareness on a target and gather information about it. A mind tends to immerse itself when it actively seeks new information. To insure we develop the details, remember to gently return your focus back to the target of interest if it strays. If you can keep your focused settled in one place long enough, you should begin to notice a deepening of awareness and a noting of details that you did not notice before, much like being able to see rocks at the bottom of a stream once the mud settles.

1. Go to a quiet, comfortable place free of distractions.

2. Remove any restrictions and sit in a comfortable, upright

position. Place your hands on your thighs.

3. Inhale then slowly exhale as you imagine releasing tension

through your exhale … relax.

4. Quiet down your thoughts.

5. Select a target to focus on, such as a candle flame,

photograph, or a piece of fruit. Put the object in front of

you. Focus on this and nothing else.

6. Describe the target in detail. Notice its shape, size, color,

and texture. Note each of its parts.

7. Close your eyes and try to visualize what you have just

described. Put in as much of the detail as possible.

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8. Open your eyes and notice whatever detail you missed. See

how much new you can find about it.

9. Close your eyes again and try to visualize this missing detail.

10. Shift your focus to your breathing. Follow its rhythm for

a minute without altering it. Note the rise and fall of your