I hear people talk about how life should flow easily and freely, and more and more, it seems like that is happening for many of us. The focus on setting intention and being co-creators of our reality has empowered a lot of people to live our dreams. Many, after watching movies, like The Secret, have discovered the Law of Attraction, and are using techniques to imagine, sense and feel a desired outcome, like a healthy relationship or financial abundance. Some of us achieve our goals, and these techniques are effective.  For others, this approach appears not to be succeeding. Why is that?
            There are a couple of reasons. We each have conscious, subconscious and superconscious minds. The conscious mind, which is logical and goal-oriented, is the one that chooses to use tools like affirmation and visualization to create reality. The superconscious, which is that part of us connected to a Greater Reality, allows us to experience deeper wisdom, profound peace, a sense of oneness, and other mystical experiences. When we’re in that state of mind, the potential for any outcome is limitless! For those who are projecting positive outcomes from the superconscious, experiencing that abundant peace, joy, and gratitude in the process, the outcome manifests quickly and easily. If a person rigidly affirms an outcome from the conscious mind (which is also the very limited individual ego) they are asserting their personal will. That person expends a lot of energy, engages in a struggle, and is still unlikely to realize the intended goal. So, just taking time to unite with that Greater Reality (God, Spirit, your Higher Self, etc.), connects us to the limitless power that will activate your dream.
            Another reason these techniques can appear to fail, is when there is a belief in the subconscious mind that conflicts with the desired outcome. The subconscious mind is the doer. Is that part of the mind that carries out behavior.  It houses every memory, emotion and belief from an entire lifetime—and, for those who believe in reincarnation, from before this life. It stores events as beliefs, and, because it’s not very rational, often acts in opposition to what the conscious mind thinks it is choosing. Here’s an example: Your conscious mind says, “I’m ready for a healthy, nurturing relationship,” yet you find yourself in a pattern of choosing partners who are unavailable or abusive. Because you witnessed your parents fighting physically when you were a tiny child, and it was really scary, and you felt unsafe, the subconscious concludes, “Love hurts.” So, the subconscious is then very careful to avoid love to keep you safe. You can affirm and visualize for months, and the subconscious will often continue to repeat the old choices.
            What can you do about that? You can journal about your behavior patterns to uncover a belief. You can join a self-help group. You can begin a self-inquiry process, such as Byron Katie’s (read the book, Loving What Is).  If you need help, you can work with someone who specializes in releasing subconscious beliefs, such as a clinical hypnotherapist.  Any of these approaches will quickly assist you in aligning your conscious, subconscious, and superconscious minds to manifest your dreams!