Beliefs and Reality
Friday, December 05, 2008
Dr Elaine Lee talks about the Origins of Man, and why what goes round comes round. Of specific interest is new research into our DNA and how what we think influences what we experience.
Beliefs and Reality
The Origins of Man, and Why what goes round comes round...
Dr Elaine Lee
Where do we come from? Who made us? When? Why?
The fact is, Homo Sapiens is the only new kid on the block. We have blessed ourselves with the name 'wise man' - in fact, Homo Sapiens Sapiens - doubly wise. We obviously think ourselves to be smart! Why then do we have so few answers regarding such questions?
Bill Bryson's book, A Short History of Nearly Everything, makes it very clear that we are a unique species which appeared in a narrow window of opportunity of Earth history. It's actually amazing that we are here!
Modern scientists have spent the last few decades unravelling some of the basic physical secrets of humanity: how the brain functions, and how our biological reality is based on the protein-building blocks encoded in our DNA. Both areas have left us with unanswered questions: given the vast, almost infinite potential of the human brain, why is it so under-utilised? Given that each cell in our body is packed with microscopically small filaments of DNA, (which account for our genetic make-up), why is it that this too seems to be largely useless, in fact described as 'junk'?
While the majority of our species are not overly concerned with such issues, our scientists don't like mysteries. Francis Crick, the scientist who cracked the code of DNA, found it impossible to accept that this complexity came about through 'accident'. Neither could Fred Hoyle, who developed the theory of Panspermia, to account for the origins of the DNA (which remarkably we have in common not only with mammals, but also of insects, bacteria and viruses!). This holds that meteors and comets from outer space were responsible for bringing these basic building blocks of life to Earth.
Yet answers have been provided from ancient times. The earliest civilizations left us evidence carved in stone or clay tablets, which has only been de-coded in comparatively recent times.
Christian O'Brien's book, The Genius of the Few : Founders of the Garden of Eden, Alan Alford's, Gods of the Millennium, Andrew Collins' From the Ashes of Angels, and South African author, Michael Tellinger's recent (2005) Slave Species of the gods, have all been attempts to illustrate with documentary evidence that early civilisations were in fact brought about by extremely sophisticated beings, Nephilim or Anunnaki, whose powers led the indigenous Homo Sapiens crediting them with being 'gods'. Whilst such ideas initially seem bizarre (and are dismissed by many archaeologists out of hand as esoteric) it would seem that the time has come when we have to re-consider our belief systems.
It has always disturbed me that neither historians nor archaeologists have been able to provide satisfactory explanqtions for anomalies such as the ability of 'primitive' man to move from a 'hunter-gatherer' existence in the Ice Age, to the sophistication of building pyramids immediately thereafter!
The abilities demonstrated by the earliest civilizations appeared dramatically. The understanding of astronomy, mathematics, building, and mining techniques demonstrated not only in 'Ancient' Egypt and Sumer, but in South America, China and Korea, are such that only in the past century have we been able to equal or surpass them. Yet in our arrogance, we assume that over the last few hundred years our technological achievements mean we are the pinnacle of human development!
In reality, we are only just beginning to re-gain the knowledge we had over 6,000 years ago. The Book of Enoch was omitted from the Bible - but it is an amazing description of Enoch's visit to "Heaven", with descriptions of technology which could have been 21st century!
The people of the ancient civilisations had few doubts as to who they were, or who had given them these 'skills'. They left us detailed explanations.
Zecharia Sitchin analysed thousands of ancient clay tablets from Sumeria, and there found amazing stories which led him to the conclusion that the early gods were physical beings, who brought us the knowledge on which civilizations were built. These accounts were published in a number of books from 1978 on. He told the story of Enki and Enlil, and the decision of the Council to create a being, a man, who would resemble them and who "will be charged with the service of the gods, that they might have their ease" (Sitchin, The Cosmic Code, p.51).
At first Sitchin's work was met with derision. Yet the stories are not dissimilar to what we read in the Bible: "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness..." "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it..." (Genesis 1.2-6 and 2.15). In Genesis we also read about the inter-breeding between the 'sons of God and the daughters of men', (Genesis 6.1-4).
At the time of Sitchin's early work, we knew little about cloning, or about genetic modification of plants and animals, and even less of the secrets of DNA. Hence when he claimed that the "Anunnaki" cloned the initial hybrids, and manipulated our DNA, it all seemed far-fetched, 'science fiction'. Now we know that modern scientists are playing 'god' in this fashion!
After the unravelling of the human genome, it was found that only 3% of our DNA is required (coded) for the production of the physical body, and 97% was deemed to be "junk" or non-coded areas . What was its purpose?
Graham Hancock, famed for his work, The Fingerprints of the Gods, has recently published Supernatural, (Century, 2005).. Sub-titled 'Meetings with the Ancient Teachers of Mankind', it is an attempt to explain the 'greatest riddle in human history' - how all the skills and qualities of modern man appeared fully formed, "as though bestowed on us by hidden powers". From the Palaeolithic cave paintings of Europe, to the visionary experiences of shamans and the founders of early religions, he takes us on a journey of discovery.
Hancock points out that one of the most significant aspects connected with DNA, is a strange even mysterious link with the linguistic codes of language. This is a ratio, documented by linguist George Zipf, between the most commonly to least commonly used words. It is common to all languages. Researchers from Boston University and Harvard Medical School examined the DNA sequencing and amongst other things applied the standard linguistic tests to both "coded" (i.e. the basic protein-building blocks that make up our physical being)and "non-coded" areas (the 'junk'). The amazing outcome was that the Zipf law did NOT apply to the coded areas, but DID apply to the "junk" areas! (Hancock, pages 484-5). The October/November issue of Biophile has a similar article: "DNA is influenced by Words and Frequencies", related to Russian DNA discoveries (Biophile, No.24, 2008, p.36).
Our amazing DNA would appear to be a language! But one that we have not yet apparently learnt. Or have we?
It is some years now since the advent of neuro-linguistic programming, NLP, which is based on the premise that our words act as a programme to our brain. Long ago Henry Ford said, "Whether a man says he can, or he can't, either way he's right". This relates to the biblical text: "As a Man thinketh in his Heart, So is He". We become what we believe, and a belief in limits creates limited people.
This is borne out by work done on brain biochemistry, which demonstrates that negative or fear-based thoughts stimulate the production of adrenaline and cortisol. Cortisol is a known neural-inhibitor - that is, it blocks the transmission of neuro-transmitters from one brain cell to another in the neo-cortex.
Our thoughts are both chemical and electrical, and that energy not only influences us at a cellular level, but it radiates out from us to others. Like attracts like - send out waves of negative energy, and it returns. This provides us with an explanation for that other Biblical tenet, "Man attracts that which he fears".Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it.
We have been governed by our fears; it is time to eliminate these, and accept our inner power.
A very graphic illustration of this has been provided by the work of Japanese scientist Dr Masaru Emoto. He has worked with photographing crystals formed in freezing water. His initial experiments showed that water from a negative environment reacted completely differently to water from temples and other positive places. The former molecules were misshapen blobs, the latter formed exquisite and unique snowflake-like patterns. His amazing work in subsequent books went further: water placed in containers labelled with positive words similarly resulted in crystals, while that in containers with negative sentiments - I hate you! - resulted in formless, dark shapes (The Hidden Messages in Water).
What are the consequences for us as emotional human beings? We are largely made up of water, and if hate thoughts influence our very basic physical being, we should avoid them! I have tried this with my own students. When someone appears disturbed or angry, I gave them paper cylinders inscribed with the words, Love, Peace, Harmony - and watch the change!
If our expectations are negative, and our words reinforce these, we are contributing to the negative world we live in, governed by fears. Do we want this? If we can accept that we do indeed create our own reality in the sense described in the foregoing, then the challenge is to create the world you want - There's a lot to be said for positive thinking!
Contact us on info@innercoaching.co.za to contact Dr Elaine Lee
Labels: Alan Alford, Andrew Collins, Bill Bryson, Christian O'Brien, DNA, Dr Elaine Lee, Francis Crick, Fred Hoyle, George Zipf, Graham Hancock, Masaru Emoto, Michael Tellinger, NLP, Zecharia Sitchin
posted by Telana @ 11:31 am,
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Different perspectives for improved communication
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Ever taken a moment to step back and think about how the position from which you are perceiving something is influencing your communication in that moment?
Well I invite you now to take a step back and explore a concept with me in NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) called "Perceptual Positions".
We usually just think that what we are seeing is what there is to see from ourperspective. Yet in actual fact, our perspective can come from one of 5 different positions. Each mental position is just a different reference point, much like a different angle of a camera or a different radio station frequency. Each point comeswith its own usefulness and drawbacks.
We unconsciously already use these different mental positions, but by knowing about them we can choose to use them to gain more understanding of a situation, and that often leads to new choices or options being created.
The positions are best explained in the context of a conversation that you have had with another person:
First Position: this is where you are in your shoes, looking out your eyes at the other person. You are experiencing being with this other person, and what you are feeling, seeing and hearing.
Second Position: now you step in the shoes of the other person, looking back at yourself through their eyes. Second position is about experiencing the conversation from the point of view of the other person- what they are seeing and hearing and experiencing as they look back at you.
Third Position: This perspective is like being a fly on the wall or a neutral observer. From there you are gathering information about the interaction between the two people in the conversation- seeing yourself and the other person exchanging words, behaviours and emotions.
Fourth Position: this position gets you to take a step back from the conversation between the 2 people, and see it from the context within which it is happening. It takes into consideration the system within which the interaction is occurring, like the family, business team or community, and brings in information from that system’s perspective.
Fifth Position: When we take a view from way out in the universe, (all the way to be with God if that is your belief) and look back at the conversation way down on earth, we gain another perspective of that interaction.
From each position you gain very different bits of information. And with more information, comes more understanding. Taking any difficult situation through all 5 positions helps to get a more balanced appreciation of that situation.
When it comes to communication, it is often useful to note which position is your default, and likely to be impacting the results you are aiming to achieve. For example, if you are trying to explain a concept from first position, and the person you are explaining to is not able to grasp the concept, by shifting your position to second, or third, you might gain information that will show you what is blocking the person from understanding.
Or if you are mostly in second position to others, it is more useful to step into first position when you need to clearly state your own opinion on a matter, or voice a need or request.
From having the flexibility to shift your perceptual position at will, you will be in a useful space of being able to gain more information about the complexity of a situation. It's then up to you how you use that information to assist in creating more clear and constructive communication.
And that is what is empowering – having information that leads to choice in any moment!
To you flexibly using all perspectives!
Telana
Labels: communication, NLP, perceptual positions, perspective
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posted by Telana @ 10:58 am,
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Change- is it THE Road Trip of your life?
Friday, February 29, 2008
Change. Transform. Modify. Alter.
All these words are about moving from one "space"- mental, emotional or physical - to another. They all are about a journey - a trip, a movement - that is a constant theme in life.
Change is what we experience as the difference between where we started and where we end up. It is a process which alters something, so that it becomes different. It is also a set of actions- something we do in the process of altering, modifying or transforming one state to another.
We can experience this change as an improvement or a breakdown of the status quo, and it can even result in the birth of something new, or the evolution into the next stage of growth.
We are always changing- because as we grow and learn, so we change. Literally our biological neuro-pathways in our brains are altered. As long as we are breathing, we are learning and growing, and thus experiencing change.
Therefore, with change being the only constant in life- because if we are alive we cannot not change- then the point of power comes from asking the question: "What direction is the change taking me and what is the quality of the change- will it enhance or undermine my life?"
The benefit of asking such a question is that we can manage the change,
and even direct it to our advantage. Those who can see change coming and are able to use its arrival to make better adjustments or manage the bumpy ride more effectively, are the ones who get back onto the road with more ease, grace and speed.
So how can we become a change embracer? By an embracer of change, I am referring to someone who chooses the 4X4 vehicle with power steering and extra absorbent shocks for the trip; Someone who welcomes the movement of life (the speed and condition of the highway) and even relishes in it and looks for it (by choosing a powerful engine); Someone who knows how to manage the stresses and tensions that occur as things shift and evolve (as the scenery and conditions change on the trip); Someone who can sustain and maintain the change by making the destination into the new comfort zone, the new way of living, the new "home".
One model (the Axes of Change* Model) gives us four distinct "phases" to look for, with 8 different "gears" to use as we make our way on this trip of change.
1) MOTIVATION
The first phase is about checking if we have the energy for the trip. Do we have the petrol to drive our 4X4, that is, the mental, emotional and physical energy to go on the journey? How we check for this is to use the first gear of "vision" to awaken our dream of what the final destination could be like. Then we move to second gear, called "un-vision" to challenge us to notice what we are leaving behind and what that current space means to us. This gives us the pull and push of motivation for the energy (petrol) needed to make the trip.
2) DECISION
Once we’re clear on if we have the energy for the trip, we can then move to the gear of "reflection" to expose our reasons and intentions for getting to our destination as well as what might be keeping the breaks on. It exposes if we need to service our car first and what ideas we need to change in order to put our foot on the accelerator to make the trip happen. Then we need to move into fourth gear of "action" to provoke us to decide if we will get in our 4x4 and when, and if there are any things we are waiting on before choosing to go, like having the car serviced.
3) CREATION
Now we need to create the trip- to make it real. The fifth gear of "inner maps" creates for us the maps of the route to take, noting any resources or 'padkos' (food for the road) we will need, alternative routes, our strategy for making the trip with timings and any passengers or landmarks to help on the way. With our inner map in place, we then shift gears again into our "outer game" gear, to actualise this map into action. Now the rubber hit’s the road! We start moving on our actual journey and put our map to actual use with the real-time behaviour of driving.
4) EXPLORING TO SOLIDIFY
Now the journey is underway, and we move into the gear of "reinforcement" to celebrate the milestones as we pass landmarks and signs that show us we're getting closer to the destination. We also use the gear of "testing" here to verify that we're still on our desired route, check if we need to try an alternate route or make any adjustment to our seat position or rear-view mirrors. Once at our destination we uses these gears too to reinforce our destination by celebrating our arrival and noticing what it feels like to arrive and also how we will stay at our destination. We also test the reality of our new destination, to affirm we've got there and explore it, to happily start settling down there.
This stage of solidifying is what makes the destination our new "home". It assists in preventing us from slipping into reverse and reverting back to old ways from the past or returning to the origin of our trip.
As with driving any car, we shift back and forth between gears as we come across obstacles and traffic lights on the way and need to change our direction or speed. Also on our journey of change, we shift back and forth between the gears to get more petrol when we run out of energy (motivation), or re-evaluate our decision to stay on the trip, or make adjustment to our map and turn into different roads, while all the time checking we’re making progress and celebrating our milestones.
To embrace change, all that is needed is to find the motivation to change, make the decision to change, create the change and then solidify it.
As you think of the inevitable journey of change that is before you, may you choose to take your 4X4 for a spin, with a full tank of energetic petrol, an updated GPS device with a charming voice for your map, a team of delightful cheerleaders in the back seat, and an exciting way of exploring your destination to make it a sustainable and highly enjoyable achievement.
And may your trip be THE Road Trip of your life!
Telana
* The "Axes of Change" model is a revolutionary model that recently came out of the Cognitive Behavioural Sciences and is (at the time of writing) the only non-therapeutic model of change. It is useful for change embracers who ask for and desire change in that its premises relate to generative change- that is it is about managing and even creating change from a place of growth and self actualisation, and a desire to use talents, knowledge and skills to move to a new level of success and performance (and not out of fear or the recovery from hurts). This model is one of the 7 key models used in Meta-Coaching, the coaching style of Inner Coaching.
Labels: Axes of change, meta-coaching, Neuro-Semantics, NLP
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posted by Telana @ 8:33 am,
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Glorious Failure
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
"I intentionally make at least three mistakes a day!" said Dr Michael Hall at a training session I attended.
"Did he really just say that?" I wondered to myself.
"Yes, I try to make mistakes on purpose! Because if I'm not failing, I believe that I'm not learning" Dr Hall continued. That was the first time he introduced me to the concept of being gloriously fallible.
I had heard of learning from our mistakes, and that seemed like the strategy to use to lessen the pain of the error, and hopefully not repeat it. However, developing the intentional state of being gloriously fallible was new to me. How could making a mistake be wonderful and something to celebrate? And even be set as an intention?
Somehow some of us have grown up with the feeling that failing at something is a big negative- it's something that we feel bad about. It's something that we try so hard to avoid- often to the extent that it prevents us from trying something a little different or even new.
Yet failing at something is ultimately just information: as the presupposition in NLP says "There is no such thing as failure- only feedback". And feedback, or information that comes back at us in response to some action we've taken (or not taken even), is the food of champions.
Feedback is how we know we are getting closer to our goal, or further away from it. It is how we know that we need to do something differently, or that we've got it right and need to keep doing what we're doing. Without this kind of information, how would we know that we are going in the direction we want to go- or even just experiencing something!
If we look at the concept of "failure", are we not just looking at an outcome that did not match an expectation? Or worded another way, failure just means that we didn't get the result we wanted. Conversely, then, success is when we get the result we wanted or our expectations are met. Feedback is the mechanism through which we receive the information through our senses, which we then perceive as telling us if we've got the result we were aiming for or not - which we can then label as "failure" or "success".
The exciting part about the information that we label as "failure" is that it gives us clues as to what we need to do differently so that we can then experience the feedback of success. Once we know the structure of that success, we can then repeat it as often as we like.
In reading Marc Allen's book "The Millionaire Course", he has identified being able to celebrate failures as one of the keys to becoming a Millionaire. He describes making mistakes as "the great teaching tools- they can teach us what not to do, and that's invaluable". He also quotes his friend, a director and playwright called John Clarke Donahue as saying:
We should celebrate glorious failure! Why be afraid of failure? Why not celebrate it? When we allow ourselves to fail - in small ways and in glorious huge flops - we're guided to great things by our creative spirit.
I have yet to find a person who is not open to learning and growing in some aspect of their lives. So I have yet to find a person who has not experienced feedback that they have labeled as failure. The most useful part of what Dr Hall, Marc Allen and John Clarke Donahue are saying is that when we celebrate and embrace what we label as feedback, we not only learn faster and get to where we want to go quicker, we also enjoy the ride more!
To you failing at least 3 times a day!
Telana
Labels: celebrate, failure, falliblity, fear, feedback, John Clarke Donahue, Marc Allen, Michael Hall, Millionaire, NLP, presupposition, success
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posted by Telana @ 5:12 am,
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The Author
Telana Simpson
Telana Simpson is a Professional Personal and Communication Coach. She is a caring and focused facilitator who has a passion for expression. She helps executives, individuals and entrepreneurs find authentic ways of communicating their inner potentials.
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