sketches of the mind

Pretty funny I must admit.

Thanks to Wade for the link!

For more on The Chaser’s War on Everything, and to download their latest vodcasts of the weekly show, refer to the official website.

Last night a friend and I attended The Secret Revealed - a talk presented by Dr John Demartini, one of The Secret teachers. The event was held at the City Recital Hall in Sydney, and we both arrived just in time to catch the packed registration room.

After completing registration we headed upstairs where there was a bar. We promptly purchased two glasses of red wine and downed them quickly as people were being ushered into the auditorium.

The auditorium was packed, an obvious indication of the pulling power of "The Secret". I assumed that most people present at the event had watched or at least heard of "The Secret". Soon my hunch was proven correct when the entire audience raised their hands when asked by the host "who here has seen The Secret?".

Dr Demartini was soon on the stage and launching into his presentation.

Over the next two hours Demartini spoke of his life’s journey - how he began as a young boy who was told by his teacher that he’d never read, write or be able to communicate effectively; right through to fated meetings with teachers that would guide him on the path to fulfillment and purpose; and into the present where he is a bestselling author of multitudes of books and holding conferences every week all over the world.

The strength of his conviction, his emotion and honesty were inspiring. So were his examples of persistence, and learning to listen to his inner being and consequently defying all that he was "meant to become".

Key moments/ideas from the event:

1.John spoke of his teacher in El Paso who was apparently a "bum" living on the streets. This stranger taught him two valuable lessons - that he should never judge a book by its cover (for in fact the man was one of the wealthiest people in America who had chosen to live on the streets as it was something that he’d never experienced before), and that he needed to learn how to read because there were two things that the world could never take away from him - his love and his wisdom.

2. John remarks that we’ve all been using "the secret" for all of our lives, except we’ve been using it for other peoples’ values not our own. Once we start living our lives by other peoples’ values, and not being true to ourselves, then we will never be happy.

3. John recalled the time when he was on a plane (last passenger to arrive) and in the seat next to him was an attractive blonde. Once he got talking with her he asked her what her ideal man looked like. She described twenty-two different characteristics, which he jotted down on the plane ticket jacket as she spoke. He then led her through a process of highlighting that each attribute that she was looking for could already be found in men that were already in her life i.e. she already had what she was looking for. Following that he delved deeper and helped her identify associated pain with failed relationships and taught her that each pain experience was a lesson and a guide showing her what she really wanted. Those pains were actually gifts, lessons that she needed to learn from. One by one he helped her release the emotional attachment to pain and soon she realised what he was saying was true. Three weeks after that flight John received an email from the woman advising him that she had found a great guy who had every single item on that list. By releasing what she had held on for so long, she was able to attract what she wanted most.

4. John revealed the defining moment in his life when his mentor Dr Paul C Bragg taught him the importance of affirmations. He made John promise that every day for the rest of his life without fail that he would repeat to himself "I am a genius, and I use my wisdom wisely". John has yet to fail, and went on to develop one affirmation per hour for himself.

The last fifteen or so minutes of the seminar was a commercial for his two day "Breakthrough Experience" course in July as well as the books and DVD’s that were available for purchase. I expected as much, after all the man is minding his own business. For a moment I was even tempted to sign up to his two day course, however I opted to purchase the condensed "Breakthrough Experience" book instead. From what he mentioned of the course, the two day event sounded a lot like the ISA Experience anyway.

So all in all the event was definitely worth the $20 that I paid for it. I only hope that other members of the audience continue to research more into the ideas behind The Secret, and continue on their journey to wealth and happiness.

John paid respect to "The Secret" also, crediting it for exposing the general public to the universal laws that he has been aware of and practicing for over thirty five years, and that was really good to see.

Further Reading
One of John’s inspirations was G. W. Leibniz’s Discourse on Metaphysics.

Taking a page out of Vickie’s blog Contemplate This (there’s a wonderful quote from Abraham-Hicks there) here are the things that I appreciate today:

1. I appreciate being able to get up at 5.55am this morning in order to talk to a friend at 6am.

2. I appreciate the wisdom, ongoing support and friendship that I have following the ISA Experience. I’m now intent on getting as many of my friends as I can to attend the next Experience in July because I love them and there is no better gift that I could possible give them than to help them realise their true potential.

3. I appreciate the meal that I am about to have - a reminder of those that are less fortunate, fighting to survive.

4. I appreciate the lessons that I am learning daily about being present, and living in the now.

5. I appreciate this beautiful city that I live and work in.

6. I appreciate my parents - the two that I have chosen - for the sacrifices that they made over two decades ago, and they still continue to make, in order to build a life in Australia and demonstrate what it is to love unconditionally and to want the best for their children. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to cross the Mekong River at the dead of night pulling along a rubber tyre with a little child in it, risking life and death, fearful that at any moment you or your son may be shot by a passing army officer.

7. I appreciate this fantastic thing called electricity - for it powers the PC with which I type this entry as well as the heater in my room that’s keeping me warm on this cold morning.

8. I appreciate all the people that have visited this site over the past couple of days to check out my Relax mix. Hope you all enjoyed it!

9. I appreciate this soothing trance mix (aptly titled "Through Reverie To Fulfilment") by MoN-SooN. It’s a reminder of how uplifting and beautiful music can be. A great way to start this day!

Life is AMAZING and today will be BRILLIANT

Wow, I’m pretty darn happy

You’re a Gratitude!

You’re happier than 96 percent of the other people who took Tickle’s Happiness Test.

How do Tickle’s experts know this? Because they measured your overall happiness level in relation to other test takers. To do this, they examined your attitudes and behaviors in the seven proven areas of life that are known to determine your happiness: Contentment, Confidence, Gratitude, Personal Growth, Cheerfulness, Relationships, and Optimism.

For example, your test results show that your level of gratitude is one of the things that helps you feel happier overall. This means that for the most part you have a strong sense of appreciation for life’s blessings. You probably also tend to view life as deep and rich with meaning. By regularly reflecting on the good around you or using prayer, you are the kind of person who can cultivate a continuous sense of thankfulness for the whole experience of living.

While your gratitude has a positive impact on how happy you are, it’s still not the biggest factor that affects your overall happiness.

The Happiness Test
Brought to you by Tickle

You’re a Third Chakra!

This chakra is located in your solar plexus, which is just below the breastbone. The third chakra represents one’s ability to honor and accept the self. In your case, this chakra appears to be clear and unblocked so that positive energy can flow from it freely. Radiating positive energy from your third chakra indicates that you’ve cultivated higher wisdom concerning the important life lessons associated with this energy center. You’re apt to treat yourself with kindness. You’re also likely to forgive your mistakes rather than dwell on them unnecessarily.

Whether they’re allowing positive energy to flow or preventing it from doing so, all seven of your body’s chakras contribute to how you are feeling on a day-to-day basis. When they’re balanced, you feel energized and at the top of your game. When they’re unbalanced, you may feel tired or ‘off’.

While we have focused on identifying the one chakra that allows your positive energy to flow most freely, we have also discovered the ways your other six chakras are handling the passage of energy.

The Chakra Test
Brought to you by Tickle