National new thought experiment

I cannot remember how or when I first came across the books of Florence Scovel Shinn, but when I did, her affirmative writing resonated with me. To this day, decades later, I often recommend her works (and words) to people in need of upliftment and positive mind adjustment.

The now-deceased metaphysician’s affirmations (or ‘treatments’ as they are also called) are simple and powerful.

For those who are not familiar with her: “Florence Scovel Shinn (September 24, 1871-October 17, 1940) was an American artist and book illustrator who became a New Thought spiritual teacher and metaphysical writer in her middle years.” (Wikipedia)

Anyone so inclined can learn how to shift negating mindsets and enhance their daily existence by following the simple guidance enshrined in the pages of Shinn's four empowering classics: The Game of Life and How to Play It; Your Word is Your Wand; The Secret Door to Success; and The Power of the Spoken Word (a compendium of the four volumes).

The human brain changes and adapts in response to life’s constantly evolving circumstances and just as the body can be positively strengthened through repetition of the right physical exercises, so too can affirmations be used as "exercises" to strengthen the positive "muscles" of the mind/brain. While this is no instant magical solution to life’s problems, training our minds is key to rewiring our mental circuits, enabling the replacement of old, potentially self-sabotaging thoughts with new, empowering ones.

It makes sense that the New Thought movement (established in the 1830s) was thus named, considering the positively mind-transforming effects of the works of Shinn and other New Thought authors like James Allen (As a Man Thinketh), Wallace Wattles (The Science of Getting Rich), and Catherine Ponder (The Dynamic Laws of Healing).

Generally seen as a spiritual movement built upon metaphysical beliefs, New Thought teachings have helped to enable not only personal transformation but have also helped to guide wider social change (since the 19th century) as a precursor to and influencer of the widely popular self-help and New Age movement (which highlights the likes of Deepak Chopra, Ekhart Tolle, Louise Hay, etc).

If healthy mental transformation is possible in an individual then it is, by extension, possible to effect wider social change through encouraging the daily practice and establishment of healthy-mindedness in more members of the population.

Consider TT society as one large interconnected mind that is being confronted daily with tales of horror as the media do their job of reporting life’s events that are considered newsworthy.

While some people may be disturbed, others are attracted to and stimulated by violence, sensationalism, gossip, and the vicarious experience of living through other people’s "reality television" dramas.

How easily can our collective brain be rewired to desire and create, on a national scale, words and acts of positivity, inspiration and encouragement, leading to widespread life-affirming situations and experiences?

There are many of Shinn’s quotes that I like, and have written on index cards. Sometimes I pick one at random, for daily inspiration, and on occasion also select one each for my yoga students after a session. The quote/affirmation that each person receives is always applicable and/or thought-provoking.

Recently, as a personal experiment, I painted one of these quotes on a large piece of cardboard which I placed on the wall that faces my bed: "Happy surprises come to me each day. I look with wonder at that which is before me."

It is a shortened form of Shinn’s longer "treatment": "Happy surprises come to me each day. I look with wonder at that which is before me. Thy will be done this day. Today is a day of completion. I give thanks for this perfect day. Miracle shall follow miracle and wonders shall never cease."

My thinking was that in being faced with these words first thing upon waking every morning, I would find myself during the day "looking with wonder" at manifested surprises and miracles.

Without going into examples, I can say that this is indeed what happens daily. The technique may sound simplistic to some, but I encourage you (if inclined) to not take my word for it – but try this experiment for yourself, using the short or long form of that quote.

If/when you see it working for you, tell others about it. Imagine more citizens of TT walking around looking with wonder (rather than looking with horror) at that which is before us.