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sue1012
USA
31 Posts |
 Posted - 10/20/2008 : 11:52:12
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| Thank you so much for sharing, Webdan. I have struggled immensely with trying to reprogram my mind to think positively to no avail. I am going to give it a try to tape my own positive affirmations. It makes a lot of sense. |
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HilaryN
United Kingdom
879 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2008 : 02:35:06
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Webdan,
That's a great idea! Thanks for posting it.
Here are a couple of affirmations I think I'll add:
"My needs are important"
"I want ... GETS!" (As a child I was always told the opposite and I think I internalised that, interpreting it to mean that I shouldn't express my needs.)
Thanks for the tip on Sound Recorder. I've been wanting to record things for a while, but thought Sound Recorder was limited to one minute. That's enough for affirmations, and I can always record more than one file, but I'd like to record other things as well which take longer than a minute.
Now I need to find a way of converting the .wav file which Sound Recorder produces into a format I can play on my MP3 player.
Hilary N |
Edited by - HilaryN on 10/24/2008 02:50:55 |
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winnieboo
USA
269 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2008 : 10:53:26
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| Dan: I recorded two fifteen minute sessions, and I burned them onto a disc, but I haven't figured out how to get them onto ITunes. Doesn't seem to be working. In any case, thanks and I'll keep you posted. Interestingly, the first one, in which I used much of the monologue that you shared, was easy for me to believe and absorb. For the other, I used Lori's idea and went to the affirmation pages in Louise Hay's "You Can Heal Your Life." I went through and read all of the pages on one tape. It sounds like a prayer in a way. They all start with "In the infinity of life where I am, all is perfect, whole and complete"... They're very lyrical and inspiring and importantly for me, they were "ready to go." I noticed that I am not quite "there" in terms of fully believing all of these affirmations, however. Seems to be where the bulk of my "work" is still lurking. We shall see... |
Edited by - winnieboo on 10/24/2008 10:55:00 |
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Webdan65
USA
182 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2008 : 11:01:49
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Winnie and Hilary:
Thanks for the kind words.
As for getting your recordings into iTunes it depends on what you are using. If you simply search google for:
convert wav to mp3 free
You will find a number of downloads of free software you can use to accomplish the task.
I haven't used any of them myself, but once you have an MP3 file, importing into iTunes or another MP3 Player shouldn't bee too difficult.
Let me know how it goes. And once you get a chance to listen to your new recordings for a while let me know the results. Did you find it helped? How?
Thanks!
Dan |
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HilaryN
United Kingdom
879 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2008 : 11:44:38
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Hi Dan,
Thanks, yes, I've googled that - haven't had time to investigate further yet. I'm always slightly wary of downloading stuff that I don't know about. I've also seen a free recording software called Audacity so I may try that instead as recording more than a minute in my version of Sound Recorder is a bit fiddly.
I'm not sure I'll be able to report any quick and obvious results as I'm already pain-free.
I'm more interested in the long-term of staying that way, by delving more into the psychological.
Winnie, I'm doing the Louise Hays affirmations, too, mixed in with some of my own which are particularly relevant to me as they occur to me.
quote:
I noticed that I am not quite "there" in terms of fully believing all of these affirmations, however. Seems to be where the bulk of my "work" is still lurking.
I wouldn't worry about that. I think that's normal, isn't it? The important thing is to do them and by doing them you become aware of where the blockers are and work on those as they come up. You start where you're at, and slowly move forwards.
Hilary N |
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winnieboo
USA
269 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2008 : 09:40:48
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Just as additional info, I found an inventory of "ready-made" affirmations available at ITunes, including a few by Louise Hay and many by Deepak Chopra...just noting a speedy option for anyone having trouble creating their own.
Dan, thanks for your help. Yesterday, I found that I had Adobe Soundbooth already installed on my computer; it's part of the Adobe Elements software and is something like Garage Band. I was finally able to record and download onto ITunes. Sounds great! |
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Webdan65
USA
182 Posts |
Posted - 11/18/2008 : 07:05:05
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| Just curious if those of you who said you were going to try this made any progress. It's been an interesting road for me. What's cool is the less attention I pay to the pain - the less I have. I've rejoined a gym lately and I find the harder I push myself, the less symptoms I have. It's as if a hard workout proves to my subconscious that I'm ok and not broken. Anyway - let me know if you tried this audio reprogramming idea and what your results were. |
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MAbbott
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2008 : 17:51:15
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Dan,
I loved your post. I was just reflecting on how it doesn't matter whether we say to ourselves: "Oh good, I didn't have any muscle spasms today -or- Today I had muscle spasms -or- I won't have a muscle spasm"
If the focus is on "muscle spasm," that's exactly what you are going to get. Put the focus on "I am strong, healthy and active" and guess what -- that's what happens. It seems so simple... once you experience it!
Congratulations --
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marsha
252 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2009 : 14:35:19
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Thanks Webdan..You have given me some new insight.
marsha |
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hottm8oh
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2009 : 13:55:59
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| Thank you for bumping this. I re-read the entire thread and it's been really helpful. |
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PRCalDude
49 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 17:37:16
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bump
Anyone else have good results with this? |
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Webdan65
USA
182 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 18:51:27
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For me, a big part of reprogramming the mind is to push myself physically as well. Since doing this mental programming thing, I have begun to get back to the gym. Lifting weights and getting back on the treadmill.
At first I was petrified to even try running. So I took it slow. Hurt a bit, next day realized I survived. So I pushed a little more.
The amazing thing was - that after a day or two more - somehow I had the best day in many many months. Almost like the subconscious let go to a certain extent.
Now I'm able to run 2-3 miles. Actually RUN. 6 months ago, I was convinced I'd never even be able to run to the mailbox, let along 3 miles.
Returning to physical activity is a component of Sarno's recommendations for a reason. It works to break through the fear and programming. That in combination with what you say to yourself seems to be the trick.
Hope this helps! |
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PRCalDude
49 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 19:54:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Webdan65
For me, a big part of reprogramming the mind is to push myself physically as well. Since doing this mental programming thing, I have begun to get back to the gym. Lifting weights and getting back on the treadmill.
At first I was petrified to even try running. So I took it slow. Hurt a bit, next day realized I survived. So I pushed a little more.
The amazing thing was - that after a day or two more - somehow I had the best day in many many months. Almost like the subconscious let go to a certain extent.
Now I'm able to run 2-3 miles. Actually RUN. 6 months ago, I was convinced I'd never even be able to run to the mailbox, let along 3 miles.
Returning to physical activity is a component of Sarno's recommendations for a reason. It works to break through the fear and programming. That in combination with what you say to yourself seems to be the trick.
Hope this helps!
I've gotten back to all of my physical activities, the problem is that there is still this lingering fear of movement that I can't seem to push out of my head. It's very frustrating. I'm trying to push all of the TMS pain out of my mind, but it always creeps back in, which is why I'm interested in this subconscious "reprogramming" method. I've been trying it for a couple of days. Seems to help, but nothing amazing yet. Have any suggestions for just getting the pain out of your head? |
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Northerner
62 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 21:38:13
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Three things seem to strike me about your post:
"I've been trying it for a couple of days ..."
"It seems to help ..."
"Nothing amazing yet ..."
Although a handful of people can be subconsciously reprogrammed in two days, most people take longer.
I like the seems to help part. Any results after two days are an excellent start - keep moving ahead. It's all an indication that it's working.
I tried WebDan's idea at the end of January, and I would say it seemed to help, as part of a multi-faceted program that included returning to vigorous activity quickly (basketball, whitewater kayaking - including hitting my helmet on rocks when upside down even though I have a diagnosis of "pinched nerve" in my neck - and downhill skiing), psychotherapy, ignoring the pain, discontinuing physical therapy, discontinuing using heating pads except on the end of a couple of six hour drives, discontinuing taping my back to keep my postural muscles in place, and journaling every day. The symptoms that developed latest have faded; some of my old symptoms are still with me. I still have some numbness in the fingers and toes, but nothing that stops me from doing anything. My reprogramming tape mentioned the newer symptoms, by the way, and I've been wondering if that has somethign to do with my older symptoms lingering. I may develop a new tape that trains me that the older symptoms are caused by my mind to see if that helps make them disappear.
Or my new tape may not mention symptoms at all, but instead concentrate on pschological issues completely. It may be that by mentioning the physical symptoms, we give them power.
I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.
- Mark Twain |
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Webdan65
USA
182 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 21:50:50
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I've recently learned that there is a big difference between affirmations (statements) and asking the right questions of yourself.
Affirmations go something like this: I am healthy and strong. My back is great and I'm not afraid.
And your mind says: Bull****. Yeah Right. (that's the automatic bull**** alarm going off)
Because deep down you don't believe what you are telling yourself. You feel stupid for even making the statements. So before you know it, you quit doing it.
I learned this from Noah St. John, the author of "The Secret Code of Success". Basically, our brain doesn't work that way.
Our brain is hard wired into solving problems and answering questions.
Ask yourself all day long - why am I such a loser, and your brain will come up with all the reasons why you are.
Ask yourself how come you are so happy and stress free, your brain will go to work answering THAT question too.
You remember that old phrase. Becareful for what you ask. You are likely to get it. Ask the wrong questions and you'll get what you don't want.
Don't believe that your brain works to answer any question you ask of it? Remember the last time you couldn't figure out who an actor was in a certain movie? It can keep you up at night. And sometimes - seemingly out of nowhere - you get the answer 8 hours later. Why? Because your brain has been working away at the question.
Imagine the power of asking ourselves the right questions?
"Why do I know that TMS is the real reason for my pain?"
"How come I know that my doctors are clueless?"
"Why do I know that I can exercise without fear?"
"How come I am getting stronger every day?"
"Why am I no longer afraid of the pain?"
Let your mind go to work on THESE questions. This way, that bull**** meter doesn't go off and you actually work WITH your brain - the way it is designed to work, instead of force feeding your brain "statements or affirmations" it doesn't believe to be true.
I have just recently learned of this "asking questions" thing since my original post. So, I wanted to share it with you.
If you want a better explanation, the book is great. Search Amazon for Noah St. John and The Secret Code of Success. Don't let the title fool you. It's not some build a business self help thing. I've read lots of books and this one is groundbreaking.
Asking the right questions can help you solve ANY problem you have. Not enough money, love, or even get rid of pain and TMS symptoms.
Let me know what you think about this. I've been experimenting with this approach in many areas of my life and am very pleased with the results.
I even recorded a series of questions that I listen to. Just like the original post, but phrased as positive questions instead of statements.
And whatever you do, don't go around all day asking yourself...
"Why is my body so frail and broken?"
"When will my doctor tell me what is wrong with my body?"
"Why am I stuck being in pain all the time?"
"How come I hurt so much?"
"Why can't I get out of bed?"
You get what you focus on. You get what you ask of your brain.
The questions need to be positive in nature for you to get what you want.
Just say these two questions out loud and see how they make you feel.
Why am I such a loser and procrastinate so much?
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Why do I start my day getting the most important tasks done first - allowing myself to succeed beyond my wildest dreams?
Clearly the second question is empowering. The first reinforces what you don't want.
This stuff is REALLY profound.
Give it a shot and let me know your thoughts.
Dan |
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PRCalDude
49 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2009 : 15:33:12
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| I'll give that stuff a try, Dan. Damn glad I bumped this thread. |
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PRCalDude
49 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2009 : 22:46:11
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| bump |
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Chrysalis
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 12:15:01
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quote:
Originally posted by HellNY
This is essentially what I have been trying to explain to Skizzik. Its that way I see what keeps people in chronic pain.
If you are depressed about the pain it WILL REMAIN.
If you worry that it will continue it WILL REMAIN.
If you are frustrated and upset about it, it WILL REMAIN.
In short, when you engage your emotions into it, it remains. Because the brain will continue to process and represent anything we give emotional significance to.
Boy that's me all over. |
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PRCalDude
49 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 14:46:24
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| This thread should be stickied. |
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PRCalDude
49 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2009 : 11:00:33
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quote:
I even recorded a series of questions that I listen to. Just like the original post, but phrased as positive questions instead of statements.
Dan,
Would you mind posting that script with the positive questions?
Your statement about positive affirmations setting off your brain's BS detector definitely resonates with me. I have that problem in spades. |
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Subconscious programming - what worked for me.
