The Paradigm Shift: From excuses to self awareness

Dr. Wayne Dyer

Dr. Wayne Dyer is a internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development.  His work has been critical to my own personal self developement. Reading his work has helped increase my awareness of my own habitual negative thinking patterns and helped me make the paradigm shift to self awareness.  Keep in mind that the negative thought patterns many of us recite on a daily basis have been present for years, and in my case for decades.  Be patient with yourself -while it takes time to make these changes, the final outcome will be priceless.   The following is a synopsis of some of Dr Dyer’s work. 

 The biology of belief

You have the capacity to change to the point that “you can alter what you thought were scientific explanations for your human limitations and characteristics in relationship to your genetic makeup, your DNA and your early childhood conditioning“. Bruce Lipton, PhD, cell biologist and the author of the book  The Biology of Belief writes that “life is not controlled by genes and that our DNA is strictly a blueprint“. The invisible energy in our body’s environment is the architect that translates the blueprint into how our lives (and our health) is manifested. The human body is more than a physical machine, it is both mental and spiritual in nature. I think this is a difficult concept for many of us to acknowledge because we have been under the false impression that we have no control over some of the factors that impact our genetic expression.  The fact that how we think and what we believe can actually influence our genetic code opens us to so many amazing possibilities, including concept of self healing.

The placebo effect further explores the mind-body connection. It is a well documenated phenomenon that when a “control group” subject is given a placebo (sugar pill) rather than the active drug,  many of the research subjects will achieve similar benefits or improvement in symptoms from the placebo alone.  This is due to the fact that the person believed that the “pill” would help them.

Changing lifelong habitual thinking

Dr. Dyer’s book Excuses Begone teaches you” how to change lifelong, set-in-stone thinking that keeps you stuck in the past“.  These habitual thinking pattern cannot lead you into a new direction.  Becoming aware of these patterns and internal messages is the first step in moving from excuses to awareness.

Dr. Dyer defines excuses as the product of lifelong thinking habits that create a long list of explanations and defenses that create barriers in our lives.  I have list some of the common excuses many of us use on a daily basis

• “I can’t help the way I am”
• “It’s in my genes”
• “It’s too hard or too risky”
• “I can’t afford it”
• “I don’t deserve it”
• I am not smart enough, young enough or attractive enough

Making the paradigm shift

Live in the present…forget about the past – it’s over.  Don’t worry about the future; there is only today – Dr. Wayne Dyer

In his book, Dr. Dyer identifies seven key life changing  principles. The first principle in making this paradigm shift is to gain  awareness and insight into the negative habitual thinking that is creating barriers and limitations in your life.  Letting go of the excuses and old habits will help you recognize your true essence and its limitless possibilities.  I have briefly listed the other six principles below.

• Alignment :Learn to readjust your patterns of thinking to align with your essential nature which puts you in harmony with your Source.  Some of you see God as your source while other define this as your higher being.  Excuses are mis-alignments – alignment increases awareness.
• Live in the “Now”: “Live in the present…forget about the past – it’s over.  Don’t worry about the future; there is only today“. 
• Contemplation: Contemplation is the highest form of activity.  It is the mental activity behind all that is created and is the mechanism that attracts the right things into your life.
• Willingness:  Willingness to take responsibility for the conditions of your life, to hold onto your vision
• Passion: Passion is the gut feeling that tells you that this is the right thing to do, whereas, excuses allow you to fall short of your dreams.
• Compassion:  “There is no room for blame in your life as long as you live with kindness.  By shifting to compassion, all blame disappears.

Techniques for” Living in the Now”

Suggestions for living in the “Now” or in the moment include meditation and yoga.  Dr. Dyer is a proponent for the use of meditation as a tool to making the shift to a higher level of awareness.  I recommend his book/CD  Getting in the Gap to help you get started.  There is an abundance of information available on the benefits of yoga on health and stress reduction.   Music can be another method of stress management for some people.  I had the pleasure of meeting Gary Malkin, the composer behind the Wisdom of the World™ at a recent Functional Medicine conference.    Gary is an award-winning composer and producer that is dedicated to using music and media to heal, empower, and connect us to the best part of ourselves. This new inspirational media has the capacity to help you find your true purpose, strengthen your ability to compassionately connect with others, and inspire you to find greater success in all areas of your life.  His work is beautiful and inspiring – I encourage you to check it out for yourself.

There are times that I find it very difficult to meditate – especially on the days my brain is moving too fast.  On those days, I use music therapy to help me focus and achieve a state of relaxation and peace. Find the right method that works for you.  This is an important step in taking care of you in your journey to life balance and healing.

 Photo compliments of Patriziasoliani’s Photostream