What a great extract. I have another confession and that is that I have never even heard of the Tao Te Ching before you mentioned it.

I remember watching an interview with Bruce Lee and I remember him saying something similar along the lines of: “Be like water, it’s the softest stuff in the world, and yet it can penetrate rock!”

Thank you for introducing me to that, I truly appreciate it!

Do you think in that case that, the thought or affirmation itself is not that important and that so long as it generates a feeling in me of experiencing that thing now?

I thought you would enjoy this; it is Chapter (or verse if you like) Eight of the Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing), Stan Rosenthal’s translation: all about how to “go with the flow” aka “be like water.”

Enjoy!

Great good is said to be like water,
sustaining life with no conscious striving,
flowing naturally, providing nourishment,
found even in places
which desiring man rejects.
In this way
it is like the Tao itself.

Like water, the sage abides in a humble place;
in meditation, without desire;
in thoughtfulness, he is profound,
and in his dealings, kind.
In speech, sincerity guides the man of Tao,
and as a leader, he is just.
In management, competence is his aim,
and he ensures the pacing is correct.

Because he does not act for his own ends,
nor cause unnecessary conflict,
he is held to be correct
in his actions towards his fellow man.

You’re dead on when you mention that the power comes from the feeling associated with those thoughts. Napoleon Hill mentions this fact as well. Feelings are like the spark that ignites the jet fuel to make things happen. Great post.

Thank you Michelle!

I think the article is exactly correct in the way it has broken down the different pieces and phases of affirmation use. He’s done an excellent job of showing an effective method to build and make the best use of affirmations.

However, there is one thing I would like to clarify about “go with the flow.” It isn’t remotely “new-age.” It’s a Daoist concept that is at least 3,000 years old, and is meant to convey the idea that the actions one takes, the things one does, should always be in harmony with and within the energetic laws of nature and the universe. To do otherwise causes inner (and outer, too) conflict, struggle, and disharmony.

If you do decide to write that post I would love to have a read! I’m always fascinated by the ideas that others come up with with in terms of prayers, affirmations, etc so it would be interesting to see what ideas you come up with!

It’s always a pleasure! Let me know when you write that post

i had this thought going on for few months in my head. i was thinking about writing it in the light of how prayer shape our consciousness.

indeed our inner consciousness is realigned with our thoughts that we repeat. it could be prayer, it could any other mundane things.

for example, one of my favorite prayers or u can say thought that i repeat is simply this,

“O Lord beautify my thoughts
beautify my actions
beautify my speech
beautify my relationship with others.

Indeed You are the most Beautiful and you love what is beautiful.”

it does gives our consciousness stimulus to work on it, knowingly or unknowingly deep within.

thanks again for the lovely post.

I look forward to hearing of the progress you wish to share along the way.

Blessings, peace, and LOVE!