Sound Matters.

According to recent polls, almost 98% of Americans use affirmations every day, (affirming as true what their opinion is of how things are for them). Unfortunately, most of these affirmations occur subconsciously. Folks aren't aware that they are engaging in "self-talk" and thus are not able to focus the power of their mind in a positive manner.

As the Bible reminds us, "As a man/woman thinketh, so is he/she." That was true thousands of years ago, and it's still true today. So why don't more people harness the power of their subconscious mind more consciously?

Lets take a look at the record, so to speak, and mention some examples of ways you may already be using affirmations in your own life right now.

Affirmations in Everyday Living

An affirmation is generally defined as a short statement which may or may not be true. Many of us were programmed with affirmations, sometimes negative ones, from our parents, teachers and friends. Things like, "You're so messy." "You can't do that." "You'll never be a fast reader."

Sound familiar? Many of you, I'm sure, have taken workshops and seminars like I have, where we learn to examine how our minds have been programmed with input not of our choosing. Things we didn't even realize were part of our reality or belief systems, or which we accepted as fact, but which were not necessarily true.

When you do become aware of a thought or "affirmation" that you would choose to change, or at least erase from your reality, what do you do? What strategy do you use?

For hundreds of years, people have written down on paper the affirmations of their choosing. That might be in a journal or diary, or on a Post-It stuck to a mirror or refrigerator. According to some authorities, it is said that bad habits, or bad habits of thinking, cannot be broken -- but they can be replaced with positive ones.

If that's the case, then the more input you have (i.e., reading a positive thought every time you go to the refrigerator), the more you fill yourself up with "good" thoughts. Which means there's less room for negative ones.

Soundwave Assisted Affirmations

Almost 30 years ago, I began researching the effectiveness of spoken affirmations. In other words, rather than just writing my affirmations on paper, I would record them on a small tape recorder. At various times during the day, I might play the tape for a few moments. Sometimes I'd play it as I went to sleep.

Hearing one's own voice speaking positive affirmations is a good way to begin 2001 on a "good note." Your homework, if you should choose to accept the mission, is to write your Top Ten affirmations for 2001.

Write them on paper. Then record them, either onto a cassette, mini-cassette, or mini-disc. Repeat each affirmation three times. Remember to phrase each affirmation in the present, rather than in the future. For example, "I will enjoy increased abundance in my life" might keep the experience of abundance from being enjoyed in your life -- because the subconscious mind, or the Universe, or however this thing works, doesn't respond well to vagueness. [In this case, using the future verb tense unconsciously puts increased abundance off to some unspecified time in the future.]

Better would be to specify when, i.e., "I now enjoy increased abundance in my life." [Like a magnet, your words draw to you that which you affirm.] You don't have to specify exactly in what form that abundance will manifest. Your Higher Self, your Angels, your subconscious mind (whatever concept you are most comfortable with) knows what is best for you.

Soundwave-Assisted

SUBLIMINAL Affirmations

You might find even more benefit by recording these same Top Ten affirmations subliminally. Hundreds of studies, and hundreds of thousands of individuals, have proven the effectiveness of properly recorded and produced subliminal self-improvement programs.

In this context, "subliminal" means "below the threshold of conscious awareness or perception." In other words, your conscious mind may not "hear" the words on a CD or tape, but your subconscious mind does, and is able to respond accordingly. In a way, it's analogous to seeing something out of the corner of your eye. You're not really aware of it, but then again, you are.

How do you go about making a subliminal tape at home, you might ask? The simplest way was actually used by some of the early producers of commercial tapes. They would set up a small tape recorder in their bathroom, and play back music on another tape deck or CD player. Then, they would experiment with how near or far they needed to be from the microphone so that when they spoke in a normal conversational volume, their voice would be barely, or not at all, audible. (This meant that the microphone was very close to the speakers on the playback unit.)

Obviously, this is a rather crude and funky homemade approach, but guess what: it can still work for you! Nowadays, many people have small home systems that allow for "mic mixing." Often, you can find these at your local chain store.

If you are thinking of going into business, however, you would want to record in a professional recording studio. There are also a number of other critical considerations you would want to be aware of, but that goes beyond the scope of this discussion.

Your Homework: Part II

Spend 30 minutes making your first audible (liminal) and subliminal audio tape. Choose whatever music you would like. Be aware, however, that some music works much better than others to help you attain and maintain the alpha brainwave state in which your subconscious mind is most receptive to the affirmations. Over the past 20 years, I have used the deeply relaxing music of the Inner Peace Music series with great success. I've gotten so many testimonials from my listeners that at the very least, I would encourage you to make two tapes, one using "other music," and one using Spectrum Suite or Music for Accelerated Learning. Compare notes and see for yourself if you can detect the difference, then email me your findings so that we may share them with others.

Until next time, stay tuned to the Key of Life !

Yours for sound health,

Steven Halpern

Steven Halpern has earned a reputation as one of the most influential New Age recording artists and is an outspoken advocate for sound healing. He invites you to check out his latest releases, tour schedule and catalog, free of charge, at (800) 909-0707 or at his website, www.stevenhalpern.com.
For previous columns, see The Monthly Aspectarian at www.lightworks.com.

	Enhancing Your Affirmations With Sound A creative look at enhancing what's true for you According to recent polls, almost 98% of Americans use affirmations every day, (affirming as true what their opinion is of how things are for them). Unfortunately, most of these affirmations occur subconsciously. Folks aren't aware that they are engaging in "self-talk" and thus are not able to focus the power of their mind in a positive manner. As the Bible reminds us, "As a man/woman thinketh, so is he/she." That was true thousands of years ago, and it's still true today. So why don't more people harness the power of their subconscious mind more consciously? Lets take a look at the record, so to speak, and mention some examples of ways you may already be using affirmations in your own life right now. Affirmations in Everyday Living An affirmation is generally defined as a short statement which may or may not be true. Many of us were programmed with affirmations, sometimes negative ones, from our parents, teachers and friends. Things like, "You're so messy." "You can't do that." "You'll never be a fast reader." Sound familiar? Many of you, I'm sure, have taken workshops and seminars like I have, where we learn to examine how our minds have been programmed with input not of our choosing. Things we didn't even realize were part of our reality or belief systems, or which we accepted as fact, but which were not necessarily true. When you do become aware of a thought or "affirmation" that you would choose to change, or at least erase from your reality, what do you do? What strategy do you use? For hundreds of years, people have written down on paper the affirmations of their choosing. That might be in a journal or diary, or on a Post-It stuck to a mirror or refrigerator. According to some authorities, it is said that bad habits, or bad habits of thinking, cannot be broken -- but they can be replaced with positive ones. If that's the case, then the more input you have (i.e., reading a positive thought every time you go to the refrigerator), the more you fill yourself up with "good" thoughts. Which means there's less room for negative ones. Soundwave Assisted Affirmations Almost 30 years ago, I began researching the effectiveness of spoken affirmations. In other words, rather than just writing my affirmations on paper, I would record them on a small tape recorder. At various times during the day, I might play the tape for a few moments. Sometimes I'd play it as I went to sleep. Hearing one's own voice speaking positive affirmations is a good way to begin 2001 on a "good note." Your homework, if you should choose to accept the mission, is to write your Top Ten affirmations for 2001. Write them on paper. Then record them, either onto a cassette, mini-cassette, or mini-disc. Repeat each affirmation three times. Remember to phrase each affirmation in the present, rather than in the future. For example, "I will enjoy increased abundance in my life" might keep the experience of abundance from being enjoyed in your life -- because the subconscious mind, or the Universe, or however this thing works, doesn't respond well to vagueness. [In this case, using the future verb tense unconsciously puts increased abundance off to some unspecified time in the future.] Better would be to specify when, i.e., "I now enjoy increased abundance in my life." [Like a magnet, your words draw to you that which you affirm.] You don't have to specify exactly in what form that abundance will manifest. Your Higher Self, your Angels, your subconscious mind (whatever concept you are most comfortable with) knows what is best for you. Soundwave-Assisted SUBLIMINAL Affirmations You might find even more benefit by recording these same Top Ten affirmations subliminally. Hundreds of studies, and hundreds of thousands of individuals, have proven the effectiveness of properly recorded and produced subliminal self-improvement programs. In this context, "subliminal" means "below the threshold of conscious awareness or perception." In other words, your conscious mind may not "hear" the words on a CD or tape, but your subconscious mind does, and is able to respond accordingly. In a way, it's analogous to seeing something out of the corner of your eye. You're not really aware of it, but then again, you are. How do you go about making a subliminal tape at home, you might ask? The simplest way was actually used by some of the early producers of commercial tapes. They would set up a small tape recorder in their bathroom, and play back music on another tape deck or CD player. Then, they would experiment with how near or far they needed to be from the microphone so that when they spoke in a normal conversational volume, their voice would be barely, or not at all, audible. (This meant that the microphone was very close to the speakers on the playback unit.) Obviously, this is a rather crude and funky homemade approach, but guess what: it can still work for you! Nowadays, many people have small home systems that allow for "mic mixing." Often, you can find these at your local chain store. If you are thinking of going into business, however, you would want to record in a professional recording studio. There are also a number of other critical considerations you would want to be aware of, but that goes beyond the scope of this discussion. Your Homework: Part II Spend 30 minutes making your first audible (liminal) and subliminal audio tape. Choose whatever music you would like. Be aware, however, that some music works much better than others to help you attain and maintain the alpha brainwave state in which your subconscious mind is most receptive to the affirmations. Over the past 20 years, I have used the deeply relaxing music of the Inner Peace Music series with great success. I've gotten so many testimonials from my listeners that at the very least, I would encourage you to make two tapes, one using "other music," and one using Spectrum Suite or Music for Accelerated Learning. Compare notes and see for yourself if you can detect the difference, then email me your findings so that we may share them with others. Until next time, stay tuned to the Key of Life ! Yours for sound health, Steven Halpern Steven Halpern has earned a reputation as one of the most influential New Age recording artists and is an outspoken advocate for sound healing. He invites you to check out his latest releases, tour schedule and catalog, free of charge, at (800) 909-0707 or at his website, www.stevenhalpern.com. For previous columns, see The Monthly Aspectarian at www.lightworks.com.



		by Steven Halpern