Just received a copy of The Aging Myth by Joseph Chang, PhD, an exciting book for all of us
who want to “live better longer”. You can get your own copy at major booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Enjoy!
Dr. Ben
Category: Natural Healing
Creating Results — Is your “left” brain jumping to conclusions?
(March 2016 update: the use of “left” brain and “right” brain in the discussion below is more conceptual than strictly anatomical, though for this discussion, they’re the best terms I have for describing what many people experience.)
Now just before we get started…this post is a little longer…but if you really grasp what’s here, it could totally change your results…and your life.
This post is particularly for those of you looking to create a level of results beyond what you’re experiencing now –- such as more income, better health, a new relationship, or something else that isn’t actually “visible” right now. In fact, I include an example from each of these areas below.
So let’s begin.
Just like Gay Hendricks’ “Upper Limit Problem” in the last post,
this is a phenomenon that we can all get caught up in if we’re not
aware of it…
…but once we’re aware, this “spell” loses it’s power.
What spell is that?
It’s the spell of believing the conclusions that our “left” brain
constantly wants to make for us.
And here’s why it’s a trap –- because our “left” brain –- even though it’s very powerful when used appropriately — has a very limited databank from which to draw it’s conclusions. Namely,
it tends to base it’s conclusions only on past experience…and what it can “see” right now.
So by definition, if you want to create a result in your life that
goes beyond anything you’ve ever created or experienced so far,
your “left” brain’s predictions and conclusions are not going to be
very useful or valid.
And here’s the catch –- that’s not going to stop your “left” brain
from drawing conclusions and feeding them to you very conclusively!
Now what does this all mean and why can this be so deadly?
Let’s say you’re building your own network marketing team and your goal this year…or the next 90 days…or even this month and this week…is beyond what you’ve ever created so far.
At first you may start out with enthusiasm, because you’ve got a
fresh goal and are taking fresh action.
But sooner or later your left brain starts jumping from “execute” mode — following the plan you’ve given it –- to “conclude” mode –- where it’s jumping to conclusions based on the limited data it has to go on so far –- your past or current experience.
Now just like the “upper limit problem” –- if you’re not aware, you can easily give in to these conclusions –- that you’re not going to make it because the first 5 people said “no”…and that “one” you were really hoping would sign up, didn’t…and even though you’ve got a whole week ahead of you and a big connection may be just around the corner, if you “listen” to your “left” brain’s premature conclusions, what will you do?
You’ll likely change your attitude, belief, and expectations…and do you think that affects your actions and interactions with people…and ultimately could affect whether you take action at all?
Ever hear of “self-fulfilling prophecy”?
Letting your “left” brain rule you rather than serve you is one way this can happen – and it can happen in any area of your life.
This is powerful in health especially when your “left” brain and the doctor’s “predictions” – i.e., diagnosis and prognosis – line up to give you what seems to be a very narrow bandwidth of possibilities for you to experience and explore. And as your “left” brain looks around at the apparent “evidence” of other authorities and other people’s experiences who were also “ruled” by the premature conclusions of their “left” brain, it can cause you to shut down and not explore possibilities of wellness and healing that may at the moment seem out of reach.
How about in relationships?
Ever since childhood, I dreamed of having a wonderful partner in life. I remember after my first year of medical school, just before heading home for the summer, wondering whether or not I already knew the person I was going to marry. Then my “left” brain started calculating.
If I didn’t know the person and had yet to meet them, how many years would it take to get to know them and then get married?
I started getting discouraged.
Ever feel that way about something important to you that you don’t yet “see” in your life?
Well, eventually I pushed my “left” brain aside and realized I just had to keep stepping forward –- I went home for the summer, and ended up meeting Rachelle, the woman who’s now become my wife of 17 years and partner on one amazing adventure after another, including bringing 6 wonderful kids into the world.
(March 2016 update: now almost 23 years & 7 kids!)
Was there a journey to be walked and some ups and downs along the way?
Yes!
Has it been worth it?
Absolutely!
And it just keeps getting better and better!
But if I had listened overmuch to my “left” brain’s attempt at analysis based on “present observations”, and to it’s “conclusions”, I could have made myself miserable unnecessarily — or worse, altered my course and the very actions that led to what I was looking for but couldn’t yet “see”.
How about other areas of your life?
The same patterns occur.
No matter what you’re doing, sooner or later your “left” brain likes to “take stock,” measure, and draw conclusions.
Now there’s nothing wrong with taking stock and measuring — it’s the drawing of conclusions based on these limited measurements that gets you.
So in short –- what are you to do?
First –- use your “left” brain for what it’s good at –- executing a plan. One that you choose and give to your “left” brain to carry out.
Second –- be aware that your “left” brain is automatically going to try to draw conclusions and make predictions based on any data it has –- namely your past experiences and what you can see and measure at this moment.
So…
Third –- don’t buy in to the conclusions your “left” brain makes. You can thank it for “commenting” and then hold fast to your vision, your inner knowing, what you’re choosing to create that’s beyond what’s already there –- all of which come from places other than your analyzing and concluding “left” brain.
(Hint –- a big part involves your “right” brain and what it connects you to…but that’s a whole other discussion perhaps for another time.)
Now here’s a suggestion –- ponder this “left” brain tendency to “jump to conclusions” based on what you can “see”, and observe your own tendencies this week.
Then mark a time on your calendar to come back to this post in about 7 days, and leave your own insights and experiences in the comments below.
You’re already starting on a new path –- a new level of consciousness and awareness –- that could totally change your life.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Dr. Ben
Subconscious “Programming” – 5 Key Ways to Change Yours
I recently saw a video (I’ll give you the link below) that speaks profoundly to
how our mind works – and how much influence it has on what we experience
– in our health, our money, and virtually all areas of our lives – and in particular,
why it’s so hard to change our results
with positive thinking or affirmations alone.
The video was part of an educational series leading up to a virtual “summit”
on a specific mind-body technique called “EFT”. I’m mentioning it here
because this particular talk from
cellular biologist Dr. Bruce Lipton is so impactful in its own right.
(just fast-forward through the intro if that becomes distracting. The actual discussion with Dr. Lipton is fascinating.)
Whether the idea that your health and your life may be being
run by subconscious programs you’re generally not aware of is
a new one for you, or you have long experience with this idea,
Dr. Lipton’s particular discussion, insights, and analogies create
particularly powerful connections that will get your mind going
and potentially open new doors of possibility for you.
Because the video is so provocative, I’m going to briefly list
several steps you can take right away to “change the programming”
or “tape” that Dr. Lipton discussess. You’ll realize you already
know or have access to most or all of these, but may not be
practicing them at the level you could be.
But before I give you the list, take a moment now to mark on
your calendar a specific time to view the 30 minute video –
ideally within the next 24 hours. If you at least write down
a specific time to watch it, you’re more likely to actually do
it. I’ve
already watched it twice – the second time with my wife & two
oldest kids, and we still talk about it.
OK. Here’s the list.
5 ways to “change the tape” or the “programs” your subconscious
is running:
1) The first step is Awareness. The video of Dr. Bruce Lipton will
definitely heighten your awareness of the unconscious programs,
or patterns, that may be running your health and your life – and
the fact that you can change them. The power of no longer feeling
a victim to what “happens” to you…and to what others say and do,
or don’t do, is a BIG first step.
2) Practice different thoughts. What does this mean? We all
have patterns, habitual ways, of thinking about and reacting to
people, situations, and even ourselves, and many of these may no
longer be serving us and the results we now desire to create in
our health, our money, our relationships, or some other area
of our lives.
How do you pick more empowering thoughts? (ones that serve you
better now)?
The first step here is to pay attention to how you feel when
you’re on a particular train of thought – if you’re feeling
constricted, depressed, angry, or powerless – in other words,
feeling “bad” – pick a different “train”!
How do you do that?
One of the best ways is to ask yourself a question – what I
call a “door-opening” question.
Even one as simple as “what’s a thought that feels better?”
“How could I look at this in a more empowered way?”
In other words, you’re asking yourself a question that you
may not yet have an answer to, but it opens a door for you,
rather than closing a door with a question such as “why do
I always do that?”
Feel the difference?
Asking yourself a door-opening question puts your mind
to work looking for new answers and connections, and is
a powerful technique.
3) Meditation – some may call this meditative or listening “prayer”.
Sitting quietly even for just 15 min’s/day is enough for most people
to “pause” the “busy-ness” of their lives and their recurring,
automatic thought-patterns — to begin to “listen” inwardly and
to become more aware, conscious, and purposeful about the thoughts
they’re choosing and what they’re choosing to focus on in their
lives. This can even be a great way to get back in touch with
what’s really important to you and to make key decisions that
alter the course of your relationships and your life. But it
won’t happen if you’re constantly consumed with the “busy-ness”
of your day and the automatic habits that currently run your life.
Note: my wife reminded me this morning that she enters a very
creative state when playing the piano – and many have described
a meditative-like state while engaged in music, art, running, or
sports…which leads to the next step…
Get your body involved.
The next 2 steps include physical action on your part:
4) *Move daily* — get your body, your heart rate, and your breathing
going at a higher level at least 10 and ideally 20 min’s day,
preferably early in your day. This sets your physiology on a course
that can continue to benefit you throughout your day, and one
recent personal development program has wisely pointed out that this
practice can raise your “vibration” and enhance the effectiveness
of everything else you do! The general rate for this level of
aerobic exercise is to move at a pace that increases your heart rate
and breathing, but at which you could still hold a conversation. For
many a brisk walk, jumping on a rebounder, riding a bike, or even
marching vigorously around the house is sufficient.
5) EFT – or “Emotional Freedom Technique” – this is a technique that
involves both your mind and your body – with physical action on your
part that’s related to accupressure points – that can quickly
“rewrite” the “tapes”, or programs, that you’re currently running
unconsciously. I continue to use this technique to rapidly shift
how I feel and the direction of my own mind-body patterns, and this
is the technique that the Dr. Bruce Lipton video refers to and you can
get more info through that link.
So there you have it – 5 ways to “change the tape” or the “programs”
your subconscious is running.
And lastly, remember the power of compounding simple but effective
steps done daily over time.
Now if you haven’t seen the video, set a time to watch it here:
Dr. Bruce Lipton video.
Then choose one or more of the above steps to start practicing
this week.
And if you’ve already been using one or more – let me know what
you’ve personally found most effective and what results you’ve
experienced in the comments below.
Have another technique that’s worked for you?
I look forward to hearing from you!
Dr. Ben
Epigenetics, Gene Expression, & Why Your DNA Is No Longer Your Destiny
Just returned a couple days ago from a trip out-of-state, and
one of the things I’m noticing with the solution I’ll share
below is a definite increase in alertness, focus, energy, and
flow even after the end of a trip, long days, and changing time
zones.
While away, I got to hear a biochemist speak on the emerging
field of “epigenetics”, and then I just picked up a U.S. News
& World Report special edition on “How To Live to 100” at Barnes
& Noble – and one of the feature articles is “Our DNA Is Not
Necessarily Our Destiny” with a subtitle on epigenetics. Time
Magazine had a very similar article earlier this year featured
on its cover.
So what’s all this about and what does it mean for you and me?
It’s about gene expression – every cell in your body has the
same DNA…but not every cell does the same thing or looks the
same way (just think of your brain, your liver, and your skin
for example).
So what creates this difference? It’s differences in which
genes are “turned on” and “off” and how high a “signal”
they’re putting out – in other words, how your genes are
expressing themselves.
And you know what?
Your genes are changing expression all the time – based on
what you eat, stresses and changes in the environment, and
more.
This means your gene expression can be influenced…
Now we’ve all generally known some healthy steps that can
have a beneficial effect on our health and how we feel – good
nutrition, more fruits and vegetables & antioxidants,
exercise and staying active, and a healthy attitude & mindset.
But what if you could see the expression of your genes
themselves and thereby screen for the best blend of what
nature has to offer to optimize your gene signals and maximize
the health and function of your cells?
Well that’s what years of research and collaboration between
leading scientists around the world has led us to – the ability
to identify, target, and reset specific clusters of genes to a
more youthful, vibrant pattern – in a natural and balanced way.
This approach is already available for the skin, and just
recently has been applied to brain, heart, and muscle function –
restoring youthful energy and vitality in 3 key areas – mental,
physical, and sexual.
Imagine looking and feeling the way you did years ago…
with the experience and wisdom you have today…
And setting yourself on a very different path of “aging” than
you were on before…
If you’re not already familiar with this approach and would
like to know more, you can click here: a new approach to gene expression
or contact me at drbenlo7@gmail.com
In the meantime, take a healthy step today – get up and move
and take some deep refreshing breaths, eat an apple or handful
of blueberries or some dark leafy greens, and remember to find
something you enjoy each day.
And finally, may you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a
blessed and vibrant holiday season!
Dr. Ben
P.S. You also may enjoy this simple yet powerful guide on
how to maximize your health in just minutes a day.
Creating beyond what you can see right now…
Many of us experience areas of our life where the changes and
results we want to see aren’t showing yet…
Here’s some thoughts I video’d out on the back deck yesterday
afternoon – the camera is a little jittery – but I believe you’ll
benefit from the content.
Enjoy!
And for those of you who like to read, here’s a couple thoughts
I shared in an email with someone I’m mentoring last week that
reflect lessons that I’ve been walking out as well:
Are you familiar with some of the Old Testament stories of the
Children of Israel wandering in the wilderness? Moments when
there seemed to be no water or food, and the next moment when
God brought them water from the rock or manna to feed them?
One of the “tests” of this life is learning to hold and affirm
what’s “true” and “there” even before we see it with our eyes…
The problem is we keep looking at what we can see, getting
discouraged and/or expecting more of the same…and so not much
changes…
but at any moment things can change as we shift our expectations,
starting with practicing different thoughts…and affirming and
giving thanks for every little seed and sign along the way – even
when it’s just an idea and a possibility and nothing visible yet –
so it can grow and expand into our actual experience.
Here’s a verse that reflects this profound spiritual principle in
a poetic way, regardless of your particular faith background –
“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the
word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things
which do appear.” (Hebrews 11:3)
Would love to hear your own stories of holding the vision and
belief of something “not yet seen”…and taking action toward it…
until it manifested in your own experience!
Here’s to your expansion into new possibilities and results this week!
Dr. Ben
A powerful (yet simple) way to shift your energy and results over the next 30 days
How’d you like to learn a simple process that takes about 5
min’s (or even less) but gives you 6-8 hours worth of results?
Imagine compounding that every day for the next 30 days…
Now this is so simple that you’ve probably heard it (or
something like it) before…but do you realize how powerful it
is…and are you deliberately practicing it on a daily basis?
Here it is:
Choose what you’re thinking about…and what thoughts, feelings,
and images are playing in your mind…just before you fall
asleep.
Many people are letting the news or something distressing
they’ve just watched be the last thing that’s playing in their
mind before going to bed.
Others end the day with frustration or fears and burdens that
are weighing them down.
These thoughts and feelings in a way are continuing to “marinate”
and draw more of that feeling and energy to you throughout the
night.
So instead, how about deliberately practicing thinking about
something that makes you feel good – something or someone you
appreciate…that you’re thankful for…that you love.
It could be a success or a smile or a hug from earlier that day
that’s now gotten pushed out of your mind by other “tasks” and
burdens that have come to you since…or it could be the things
you love – music, biking, a sunset, or something you’re looking
forward to.
Just taking a few moments to deliberately think about something
you love and appreciate – about things that make you feel good –
things you’re thankful for – can immediately shift how you feel.
And doing this right before you fall asleep sets the “path”, in
a way, for what your subconscious will be exploring…or “marinating”
in…while you sleep.
I had a powerful experience with this practice just this weekend.
My wife and I were both a little tired and cranky at the end of a
long day apart, and actually “snapped” at each other just before
going to bed.
So when my head hit the pillow – all of a sudden I felt miserable –
my shoulder ached, I was frustrated, and I didn’t feel like I
could fall asleep.
Then I remembered this practice, and started silently offering thanks
– particularly for my family…and ultimately my wonderful wife…
and within moments, my energy totally shifted…
I had a mini (or perhaps not so “mini”) reconciliation with my wife,
and a wonderful night’s sleep awakening with a “happy feeling” even
before I remembered what I was happy about.
(And my wife was very happy, too…)
And here’s the key – moments before giving thanks, I was on a totally
different “path” headed for a miserable night…and any other option
was not even “Visible” until I actually started giving thanks…
So here’s the trick – knowing this is not enough…what can you do
right now to set an intention…or a reminder…to do this tonight…
and every night for the next 30 days?
Look forward to hearing about your own practice and results in the
comments below!
Dr. Ben
What It Takes to Be Great – Does Talent Matter?
Click on the 2-minute video intro above (you’ll see me in a fun spot), then view the article below (actually by Geoffrey Colvin from 2006 but shared with me this weekend!), and come back and leave a comment on the key questions raised that are very relevant to how you approach your life, health, or business today!
Secrets of Greatness – Is Talent Irrelevant?
Pay special attention to the example of the golfer and the bowler, and then ask yourself,
how can you apply these distinctions to your own life?
What are you wanting to be “great” in?
I recently spoke with a young man who told me his greatest dream is to “be the best
dad ever.”
Whatever you’re wanting to be great in, this article has some key insights…and raises
some key questions, that can set you further on your own path to greatness…and creating
the results you want.
Enjoy, and come back and leave your own take on:
What role does talent play?
How could “deliberate” practice, feedback, and frequent adjustment make a difference
in something you’re seeking to excel in?
What role does consistency play–and what factors have you found key to developing
long-term consistency and results?
Look forward to hearing from you, and to an intriguing discussion!
And here’s the article again: Secrets of Greatness – Is Talent Irrelevant?
Dr. Ben
What Are You Comparing To?
Been pondering something we do everyday, almost without
thinking, that powerfully affects how we feel about ourselves
and what we’re doing.
The neat thing is that as we become aware of this, we can
consciously use this tendency in a way that purposefully
benefits us.
Whether it’s with our health, our weight, our “productiveness”
and “success”, our parenting, our relationships, or something
else…
…I’ve found that how we feel in a given moment is often
directly impacted by what we choose to “compare to.”
Even just for ourselves—-are we comparing to what’s gone before,
and noting the progress we’ve made…or are we comparing to
what hasn’t happened yet, and feeling frustrated or overwhelmed,
or even a “failure”?
It’s interesting how our brains work.
Dan Ariely, a researcher formerly from my alma mater MIT, a
great TED speaker, and author of Predictably Irrational, has
pointed out that human beings tend to assign value only in
reference to something else. I once heard him give the example
of Olympic medalists, asking, “Who do you think is generally
happier with their medal – silver medalists, or bronze medalists?”
The natural thought would be that silver is better than bronze,
but his research showed that the bronze medalists were generally
happier, and his reasoning was that the silver medalists looked
at the gold and felt badly that they came so close and didn’t
“make it”, whereas the bronze medalists looked at all the others
who didn’t get a medal, and were glad they got a medal at all…
So back to us and our daily lives – now that you know your brain
is constantly looking for references to “compare to” and decide
how to feel, you can choose to compare in ways that feel good…
that inspire you to move forward…
rather than ways that overwhelm you or shut you down.
How?
Begin by finding something to appreciate…something you’ve done
well, something that’s gone well…maybe right now it’s just your
own awareness or the potential for things to be different now
that you’re thinking differently.
Next, focus on progress…compare in ways that you feel good about
the progress you’re making…if there’s no outward “progress” yet,
begin by noting that your direction is different.
Perhaps the progress is simply that you’ve held a certain focus or
direction longer than before.
In fact, what direction you’re heading is so much more important
than where you are right now. (You can read more about that here.)
In the meantime, throughout the day, ask yourself, “What am I
comparing to?” and consciously choose comparisons that inspire you
to move forward, rather than those that make you feel small or
inadequate.
Deal?
How about leaving a comment about your own comparisons and
experiences below.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Dr. Ben
P.S. Been enjoying this music from Hayley Westenra as I write this,
and thought I’d post it directly for you here. Enjoy!
The Applause Of Heaven
This message was re-brought to my attention by a couple
of subscribers who received this by email this week, &
re-experiencing how powerful this is myself, I decided to
re-post it here…Enjoy!
****
Let’s do a quick experiment.
In a moment, I’m going to send you to watch a quick 3 minute video.
As you watch, though, and you see everyone clapping and cheering,
I want you to imagine for a moment that they’re all cheering for you.
A few years ago I read excerpts from a book by Max Lucado with
a wonderful title:
The Applause of Heaven
Today as I watched the video of Paul Potts singing below, I imagined the
feeling of people clapping and cheering for me, and I realized
how deeply the desire to be loved, accepted, and approved runs
in all of us.
For a moment I want you to experience the feeling of being
cheered, of being loved.
Whatever your circumstances, whatever your failures, whatever
you feel you’re lacking or wish were different, take a moment
now, watch the video, and enjoy the feeling of being cheered,
loved, and celebrated just for being you.
Then leave a comment about what you experience below.
To a blessed and wonderful week!
Dr. Ben
Simple Way to Dissolve “Overwhelm”
Had a coaching call with a woman on my business team recently
who was feeling overwhelmed with all the things she wanted to
address in her life–her health & fitness, her business, her
personal growth & spirituality, and ongoing demands at work.
She wanted to give everything “100%” and felt like there wasn’t
enough of her to go around.
Here’s a couple thoughts that helped her, and have also been
key for me and for others I’ve coached, and I thought I’d
share them with you here (as my daughter’s playing by my chair
and 2 of my boys are attacking each other 🙂 ).
The first is, lay “tracks” for your brain & body to run on.
If you have several areas in your life or business you’re
wanting to address, rather than trying to completely “overhaul”
them all at the same time, start by creating a “space” or
“category”, or “track” for your brain & body to run on.
What does that mean?
Let’s say you realize you want to have some time for personal
reflection or prayer or meditation each day.
And let’s say your goal is 20-30 minutes, but right now with
all the demands on you, that seems out of reach.
How about starting with 3-5 minutes?
Think that’s too little to “do anything”?
Here’s the key:
Even a little bit in each area you’re wanting to address begins
to create a space, or lay a track & open a channel, for that
area to grow in your life.
Taking that 3-5 minutes begins to tell your brain, “We’re doing
this now.” And “we’re now creating a space in our life for this
to be significant.”
The neat thing is as you do this consistently, a new track, or
pattern, gets laid in your brain and in your body that makes it
easier and easier to do the next time.
Plus, there’s two more key things to realize about this process…
whether you’re starting with a few minutes of personal time like
above, writing one line in a journal, or taking a few minutes to
stand up and move or go for a quick walk:
The effect of any little bit you do can be magnified & multiplied…
in other words, 100 x 0 is still 0…but as long as there’s more
than zero, it can be multiplied…
Second, what you do in those few minutes can become a catalyst
that continues beyond the actual time you spent on the activity,
and has an impact on you the rest of your day, because the track
has been laid.
And if you choose to, at some point you can expand the time you
give to that activity, but realize there’s already value even in
the few minutes you’ve started with, because you’re laying a new
track that continues to have an effect even when you’re doing
other things.
So how about it?
How about picking an area you want to lay a new track for—-
whether it’s eating a piece of fruit or vegetable for a snack,
taking 10 minutes to walk, bike, or move today, or a few minutes
to journal at the end of your day—-and celebrating the new channel
you’re opening up for good to come to you.
Enjoy! And let me know your own experiences in the comments below…
Dr. Ben