I'm also a proponent of this idea and it is also the foundation of many motivational and inspirational books, lectures, and seminars. Back in 1910 a man by the name of William Wattles published the short book "The Science of Getting Rich" that teaches the process of applying  these concepts. You can read a copy of his entire book online at http://xona.com/scienceofgettingrich/  . When I first began to read the book, I thought that it had been published recently until I read references to the changing world from agrarian to industrial. My point is that the concepts of this book as are applicable today as they were 100 years ago.

Gary, you are a fine example of using the power of your mind, in a positive way, to tap into and direct the natural forces that affect the world around us.

GQ

Well here I go opening up a can of worms. I’d enjoy hearing other’s opinions on how the concept Gary just blogged about (negative or positive thoughts ‘proving’themselves to you) relates to religion? Furthermore… any thoughts on how religion relates to Gary’s concept of ‘visualization’? Let me elaborate:

I’m a big believer in what I think Gary has referred to as “pre visualization” … essentially if you’re positive and visualize it you can do anything you want to do. I think this is similar to the “law of attraction.” You bring into your life what you focus on. However, lately I’ve been trying to figure out how this all fits in with my religion. Right now my position is – I believe God gives us the power to do anything we want to within the constraints of our own free will….but I think he also ‘guides’ us or maybe gives us ‘signs’ sometimes. For example if you want a new career… you can visualize, use positive affirmations, apply yourself, send out your resume, get training, etc to try and find one, but when you happen to strike up conversation with someone at a bar who just happens to have a job position available that you’re looking for and through this networking you get that job – I think that’s probably the work of God.

I think what Gary was talking about happens in the scientific research fields often – if you want to come to a conclusion, it’s easier to find evidence that supports that conclusion but it’s also easier to overlook evidence that’s contrary to your desired conclusion/outcome.

Without getting into specifics, in life right now there’s a ‘direction’ I feel I should go in life and I also feel that God keeps giving me signs that I should take this direction, but there is also the free will of others involved and acting against me at this time. I can’t decide if I’m reading into things too much, b/c after reading this blog entry, I realize I could probably start finding evidence against this direction if I tried. I guess more specifically… I have a broad visual of what would make me happy, and I know someday I’ll reach that point. Right now though - I feel like God has narrowed it down to a specific thing that fits my original broad idea… but lately I’ve had doubts that maybe it wasn’t God but instead just myself coming to the conclusion I wanted to come to and finding the appropriate evidence to support that.

Gary / commenters, (especially those who really believe in what Gary talks about – in that we can accomplish or obtain whatever we want in life through visualization) do you still believe that your free will is ‘guided’ by God? How do you decide when something you want maybe isn’t really what you needed after all?

Sweet.

I remember this same dialog/debate from my college Philosophy 101 class. Free Will vs. Fatalism vs. Determinism and the role of God in each. I don't believe that there is a "right answer" that can be proven to be universally accepted at the macro level, but I believe that there is a "right answer" for each individual based on their faith and experiences.

For me, I believe that there is a force (God) that guides me through experiences both good and bad in order to provide me with wisdom and raise the state of my conciousness. I believe there will be a point where the state of my consciousness will unite me with that force (enlightenment?). How much free will there is for me, I do not know but I think that there is some.

For me, I use the computer architecture model for the God to Human connection. We are born with a certain amount of pre-programming (ROM- Read Only Memory) stored in our DNA. Our brain is the equivalent of Random Access Memory (RAM) and fills with data that we store and delete continuously. I also think that a portion of the brain's memory is used to hold programs or data that may be filled from a source outside using a mechanism different from our known senses. The metaphor for this mechanism would be wireless communications. We just haven't learned how to tune into the right frequencies and decipher the information that has traveled on that band.

The ultimate question for me is the Why and not so much the How.

GQ

It's taken me quite a while to see and believe this view of life: I am what I want to be. As for my religious beliefs and how they fit in: I view God as my personal best friend who want me to be happy but knows I'll be happiest doing it on my own. All the rest of the people and things in my sphere of knowing can be messages to reinforce my mindset, if I am open to seeing them.

I agree with Gary's point of view: I see myself as very fortunate and make my fortune, or not, by my attitude.

I am all for this converstation, but these photos are too freaking funny. I can't stop laughing, so I won't get into this.

I think there is more to this idea of thinking about things then seeing them then most people give credit for. It all sounds a little to out there for most of the main stream followers. My first real experience with this was training for the 1980 Olympics. Our trainers had us visualize like an hour a day. going over the race over and over. Seeing the time on the board when we went over the finish line. Thank was OK because it was like a scientific experament with a practical application. I tell you it worked.

So where does God fit in. If we believe that God has a master plan for each of us to achieve that is far beyond anything we could hope or imagine? I believe with all my heart that He does and that he gave me this brain and wants me to use it. I also believe that if I am spending enough time with God and have a close relationship with Him then my thoughts are from Him. So if you feel they God is directing you in a certain direction then go for it with all you have. There will be opposition but keep your eyes on the goal. I beleive that God will redirect you if He needs to but it is far better to go after what you are feeling pressed to do.

Another perfect example of this working is a dream I have had for about 2 years now for the Through Their Eyes Africa Project. I have run into some major obstacles but I now have a plane ticket for Kenya for August 14th for the first step in making this a reality. I have a very specific vision for this project and it is growing as we get closer but I believe the most powerful thing for me to do is visualize this project. See every step ahead of time even though I have never been to this area before and do not know what to expect. Some people call this planning. I think visualization is one evolved step ahead of what most people call planning. I think visualization is much more powerful and I also think it is Gift from God. I think this concept can be abused but used right I think it is a powerful tool that can be used in each of us. Well that is my 2 cents worth.

The Maxim found porn always makes my day a little funnier!! Those photos are hysterical :)

I think if you have a belief in a God, He shows signs to you all around you. If you do not believe, then you see signs all around that there isn't one. Whatever your belief is, the world will show you that you are right!

I taken refuge in the love it is most beautiful of the way outs!
Emmanuel

Hi Gary,

You are so right, and your thoughts are very insightful.

Christine

so there is no ultimate truth? that's the age-old question. if we're going the post-modern route, then the answer is obvious. i just believe that whole thing's a giant cop-out.

what i'm so thankful for is that God has been so patient with me until i pressed far enough into his word to dig out some truths that can't be stolen from me. one's that demonstrate that his kingdom rocks this one and confirms what the bible says with signs and miracles.

i'd say this week there's been at least 3 more people 100% completely healed and we're probably going on 20 the last month.

best one this week was the torn ligament seen through xrays on a saturday accompanied by severe pain which was healed immediately as some friends and i laid hands and prayed on the sunday following. instantly the crutches were thrown down and not used again...and the young man returned to church that night with no cast and returned to football the next day with full mobility.

i'd call it a blessing but that seems like such a week term to use about the level of certainty i have now. it's great. i remember talking about this stuff so much, and i always "meant" it to be for the benefit of the others i was talking to - but really i just needed to make sure i believed it myself. there's been such a release now that we finally God literally move physically and emotionally on so many different cases, mostly documented medically for good measure.

it's awesome.

now that's a whooooole separate kind of "believing". i've never once been able to believe a back un-broken...or believe a severe case of mono with 6 cysts and swollen organs out of a body before. i gotsta have that ultimate truth!...lol.

it's just nice. but that's all - just wanted to throw my 2 cents. i won't be commenting any more on this particular subject but any follow up opinions are certainly welcome.

wow...i can't type well at all tonight. hahaha.

Thoreau said that "Man is the artificer of his own happiness."

i think the saying goes something like..."life is 10% what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it". i agree that life is what you make of it. some of us don't have as much to work with but can be happy none the less. (thanks for mentioning me in your blog, btw) oh, yeah...i put up some teaser "before/after" shots on my latest post. can't put up a true "after" yet until i'm done. :)

I am totally into the positive thinking/law of attraction thing right now!!  I totally agree with you, if you think negative thoughts then your life will become negative, and visa versa.  I have my goals posted on the computer monitor so I look at them every single day,and you know what?  they're all getting crossed off because they're done!!!

btw, people DO read the words you type!! lol....