Posted by Bartholomew (63.214.73.136) on April 25, 2002 at 11:35:28:
In Reply to: Isn't this a recant of "The Power of Positive Thinking"? posted by froggyTheFrog (9w1) (68.35.149.134) on April 25, 2002 at 00:33:47:
: Isn't this "The Power of Positive Thinking" and "Self Talk"? (Let me know if I am off track here.) This is much like what Caleb said about "It's all about your attitude." You are correct... much of how you feel about a situation lies in what you tell yourself, and can indirectly affect the results. (The direct effect is from your actions due to lack of fear.) In this case, as far as relationships are concerned, I think you are right about believing things will work each time you walk into another relationship.
Positive THINKING is only a small part of positive BELIEF. Self TALK includes even less. "Complete belief in an ideal" means eliminating all internal barriers to the ideal's accomplishment. It means organizing one's very internal structure towards the accomplishment of that idea.
COMPLETE belief is not possible for most ideas. But strong, comprehensive belief is a lot more than just positive verbal thinking.
: Your approach, though, is not the ultimate answer to emotional control.
No, but what approach is? I'm saying that my approach is good. And, if one COULD apply absolute belief where one wished, then it WOULD be the ultimate answer to emotional control.
: Chemical imbalances and other physical causes affect the emotions too.
Everything is physical. Even non-solid things like the soul or the aura (if you believe in them) are physical. To have complete belief in something, the chemical state of that person's brain must align itself to the belief, just as everything else.
I don't want to get into a big semantic debate over exactly where the boundary of the self is. For the purposes of belief, I'm drawing the boundary at the brain and nervous system, and the attendant chemicals and structures.
: As Isaac indicated, this idea is faaaaaaaaaaaar from new.
It's primal. Most people don't consciously realize it, though, which means they can't apply it where they want.