Kicking Negativity

"Luck is what happens when preparation meetscounteract the negativity, I read. The most recent book
opportunity." --Seneca, Roman philosopher, mid-1stI picked up is called "Train Your Brain, Change Your
century AD Whoa! Things seem to be in a state ofMind" by Sharon Begley. It's about the transformational
flux at this moment in history, don't they? Just turn onability of the mind and combines neuroscience with
CNN and you'll see how topsy turvy things are withTibetan Buddhism, and mindfulness. I'm inspired and
doomsday and apocalypse on the horizon. It's enoughworked up over this book and I'm only on page ten.
to turn even the most well adjusted, reasonableBrain science is showing that we have phenomenal
person into a confused, pissed off obsessive ready topowers to adapt and heal after head traumas,
jump off a bridge. I say, keep your rudder in the wateraccidents, and have the power to reverse negative
and make life work. Many of my students are realprogramming like propaganda or brainwashing. Our
estate agents and we've had the chance to discussintention leads the way. When we set our own frames
the current market at length. Obviously, huge mistakesand not allow others to set them for us (like the
were made on all sides. The banks were practicallymedia), then we can make seismic changes in the
giving it away and people who had no businessourselves which can then ripple outward to our family
accepting variable rates (regardless of whether or notand friends and from them out into the world. Seems
they understood what that actually meant)like spirituality and science have had a bit of a problem
overestimated what they could afford to pay, all leadcoexisting in some ways. One need only to look at the
to the morass that's currently underway. Yet now,creationism versus evolution debate that is still being
instead of this being 'their' problem (the banks andargued to see this. Neuroscience and Buddhism have
borrowers), it's everyone's problem. I don't have afound a common ground on which to create exciting
solution for the mess in the market, but I do understandmind/body transformations that can cure diseases
that should we tune in and commiserate with the cablewithout the pharmaceutical companies trying to
news networks and ruminate on just how miserablemedicate the diseases out of us, problems like OCD,
and crushing a recession is/will be, we will be miserable.dyslexia, depression and autism. I don't know about
Not sure if you could tell, but I'm not a huge fan of theyou, but I'd much prefer to think or meditate my way
media. There's not much to it beyond its attempt toto health than take a pill with a litany of side effects
entertain at this point, and even the "real news" gets alland high price tag. Who benefits from us fixing
messed up with sleazy gossip (whether that beourselves? Maybe not the big pharma companies, but
celebrity, political, or other). Aside from not really givingthe real profit is in us rippling out positivity and
us much to go on, it also poisons the well for those ofundermining the negative things that are being spoon
us trying to make positive changes in ourselves andfed to us.
the world, and for those of us who strive to frame theKenrick Cleveland teaches techniques to earn the
world and our shared reality as a 'win-win'. Collectivelybusiness of affluent clients using persuasion. He runs
our conscious and unconscious minds are being fed apublic and private seminars and offers home study
constant stream of gruel, duping us into believing wecourses and coaching programs in persuasion
have no power in the world, no impact, no way totechniques.
move things toward the better. In my quest to