Lessons and reflections from Module 6 of Eckhart Tolle’s Conscious Manifestation Course
What’s stopping you from manifesting your goals? If you’ve set your intentions, are practicing affirmations, and living in the present moment, but aren’t seeing results, you could be sabotaging yourself, says spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle.
Here are four key points to stop sabotaging yourself and start manifesting your intentions.
1. Uncover blocks
Stating positive affirmations about increasing wealth, becoming more successful, or finding a loving partner, isn’t going to work if deep down you don’t believe you’re worthy. Is there an unrecognized part of you that subconsciously feels guilty or fearful about money, not good enough to pursue your dream, or unworthy to be loved and respected by someone else? If so, that part (or parts) of you may be what’s keeping you from realizing your intentions. The good news is these parts can be liberated and brought to the light of your consciousness.
A method that has worked for me to deal with sabotaging parts is IFS Therapy. This innovative therapy approach allowed me to directly address subconscious parts that had been holding me back for years. You can read more about IFS in this post. Also, here is a link to the audiobook, Greater than the sum of our Parts, to experience IFS Therapy yourself. I have this audiobook and it really does guide you through the process of uncovering parts that may be blocking you.
2. Focus on your actions more than your affirmations
“If a little is good, then more is better”, isn’t the route to go with affirmations, teaches Eckhart. When you practice affirmations, only do so once or twice a day for 10-15 minutes for a week or two. Then leave it for a while and bring your full attention to the actions you can take to manifest your intentions.
Pay attention to whether you actually enjoy the actions you’re taking to achieve your goal. When I was completing my student teaching, I dreaded going into the classroom. I loved the teaching, but teaching is only a small part of what educators do every day. I was not equipped at that time to handle the mental and emotional challenges kids were facing. So as a result, I was an ineffective educator.
But rather than recognizing during my student teaching that a middle school classroom was not the place for me, I continued on to earn my teaching degree. And I was stressed and unhappy in my job for the next three years. Not only did my perseverance in a career that wasn’t suited for me cause me anxiety and unhappiness, but it also didn’t serve my students. Thankfully, when I was offered tenure (test scores tend to override heart in education) I recognized what it would’ve meant for me and my students — a prison sentence — and resigned.
I don’t regret my teaching experience. There are no mistakes, remember? We learn through our mistakes, but we don’t have to suffer to learn. If I would’ve known then what I know now, I would have approached the situation with awareness and acceptance rather than resignation. There’s a big difference between acceptance and resignation.
Teaching is really about learning and then sharing that knowledge, which I loved. So, I was in the right field, just in the wrong arena at that time. When I realized I had made a mistake, I felt stuck and resigned to my mistake. That’s not acceptance. Acceptance would have been realizing I wasn’t serving myself or others, asking for guidance, being open to receiving, and accepting the situation until something new presented itself. Acceptance is peace without resentment.
If you find yourself on a career path that doesn’t serve you, practice acceptance of what is while asking for guidance and taking the necessary steps to make a change.
3. Don’t become a victim of victim identity
Eckhart teaches to be careful about adopting a victim identity either as an individual or as a group. Adopting the identity of “us vs. them” is not only dangerous and fuels wars and separation, but it also blocks the creative energy of the universe from flowing through you.
He says it’s important to stand up to injustice, of course, but not to allow what’s happened to you or a group to define you. And to remember that underneath our humanness, WE ARE ALL THE SAME. Besides, you can’t carry around anger and resentment and be joyfully at peace at the same time.
4. Stop complaining
We’ve all heard this a thousand times, but we probably need to hear it a thousand more. Stop complaining. Just stop. If you hate the oppressive heat in Nashville in August and spend the month complaining about it, then move someplace cooler. If you can’t move, then practice acceptance for what you obviously cannot change, and — Accept. What. Is.
When a situation can be changed, stop complaining and do something about it. If it cannot, then what are you achieving? I’ll tell you what you’re achieving, misery for yourself and those that have to listen to you. Stop. Just stop.
Complaining brings you right back to ego-dominated thinking and blocks all the good, positive energy that wants (yes, wants) to flow through you. Be aware and recognize when you’re complaining. I don’t think most people realize they’re being negative. But I can assure you those around you do. If you’re not sure, ask someone close to you. You may be surprised.
And it doesn’t work to complain in your mind rather than out loud. You’re not outsmarting the universe. Negative thoughts create negative energy just like spoken words. Get still, go within, and really look at why something bothers you. Follow the root, it’ll lead to a truth and a real opportunity for growth. For an excellent practice on resolving negative thoughts, check out Byron Katie’s website TheWork.com.
With You on the Journey,
Jackie
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