“There is another way of looking at the world.” When I read those words in A Course in Miracles (ACIM), I had no idea what a game changer they would be for me.
I realize now, after studying neuroscience, the Course was telling me a profound, but simple, secret to creating miracles AND rewiring your brain.
The secret is this: whenever you’re upset, disturbed or challenged, say to yourself: “There must be another way of seeing this.”
Then consciously and consistently change, or reframe, the way you interpret an event. It makes no difference if it’s true or not.
The moment you start telling yourself a new story, your brain’s wiring will change. And when your brain changes, your world changes miraculously.
Admittedly, reframing can be difficult. I’ve found three techniques that have helped me shift my perception—and, as I’ve only recently understood—reprogram my unhealthy beliefs and behaviors into much healthier ones (which, in itself, is a miracle).
One technique is what psychologists call Selective Attention—consciously selecting to concentrate on one thing while ignoring everything else. The absence of attention to what you don’t want weakens unwanted neuropathways. For example, instead of constantly retelling your old story, talk only about your dreams and desires.
Another technique, first introduced by Carl Jung, is Shadow Work. When you don’t like or can’t accept parts of yourself, you disown those traits and project them onto another. As I wrote in my first book, Prince Charming is simply a projection of the powerful, responsible part you refuse to acknowledge in yourself. When you take back your projections, you come to know the truth of who you really are.
The third, as described in ACIM, is understanding The Therapeutic Value of Fear. Fear, discomfort or pain, the Course explains “is aroused only to bring the need for correction forcibly into awareness.” For our prehistoric ancestors, fear alerted them to real and ever present danger. But nowadays, fear is alerting you that you’re listening to Ego and you need to course correct by tuning into your Soul.
In my experience, the simple act of seeing things differently truly produces miracles.
How about you? I’d love to hear about your experience with reframing. Leave me a comment below.
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