The Language of Awakening

By Tom Russell
[Link]

How to Use Daily Life to Spark Your Hearts

Seven Sacred Energies
The Language of Awakening is comprised of
NowFactsconcise statements with a ton of truth
packed inside. Unlike affirmations, NowFacts are
designed for use while life is in motionright in the
midst of your daily life. They transform events into
opportunities for insight.

NowFacts are spoken either silently or

audibly. When we first work with them we hear
them resonating on the surface. Thats fine. Thats
a start. But their power is magnified a thousandfold
as we learn to feel our true voice in the corridors of
our Heart. This is conversation in heaven. (See
Luke 17:21 and Philippians 3:20.) Like the flower
mentioned in the introduction that breaks through
the asphalt and realizes its purpose, the energy
awakened and released in your Center by
NowFacts shatters all self-imposed limits.

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Purpose Tip: The more difficult it is to

remember an inner life principle, the more
benefit and energy our sudden remembering
brings to us.

How NowFacts Originated

All of the NowFacts (including the related
NowFacts) are direct quotations from Vernon
Howard, taught in his classes over a 12 year
period. He referred to this self-instruction method
as Speech Teach. He said once, If I had time I
could write a book with 500 speech exercises in it.
The Language of Awakening is a major step in this
direction.
NowFacts give you a friendly no-nonsense
jolt. They open a window for learning and
cheerfulness. They reconnect you with timeless
principles.

What are the seven vital secrets referred to

in the title of this book? They are energies. Each of
the NowFacts youll discover in The Language of
Awakening has a purposeto spark one of these
seven energies:
1. Awareness: Your power to live in the
nowthe connecting point of God/Truth/Reality
the doorway to a rich and purpose-filled life.
2. Self-Observation: The power to detect
thoughts moving through the mind without claiming
them as part of your essential self.
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The Seven Energies of Your Awakened

Heart

3. Instant Choice: Your power to instantly

reclaim your attention from negative mental movies
so it flourishes in every area of your life. Dont be
like those who walk through their days in a dull
daze of preoccupation.
4. Independence: Your power to walk with
sanity and integrity through a wobbly and
compromising society, and live your life based on
the lofty standards of your awakened Heart. Compassion and empathy flow from true independence.

6. Efficiency: Release the pure energy of

your Heart directly into your thoughts, your
activities and your relationships. Discover how you
can instantly avoid the spilling of energy in tension,
needless concerns and fiery emotions.
7. Receptive Request: When life is
swirling around you, when it is the hardest time to
remember, that is the best moment to ask for
insight and wakefulness. NowFact requests take
just a second or two, but these moments can have
more lasting benefit for your long-term growth than
a two week retreat.

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5. Forgiveness: Grudges and regrets are

like huge boxes of unnecessary cargo that
overload an airplane, making safe flight impossible.
To launch the potential inside yourself, it is crucial
to toss out these worthless boxes once and for all.

The Language of Awakening is not like

standard everyday information. It is not meant to be
stored in the intellect. The words need to reach a
deeper part of you. They seek to get past the
intellects filter and into fertile ground, where
knowledge is transformed to wisdom.

Vital Secret #1: Awareness

Unlock the Cheerfulness in the Present Moment

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Purpose Tip : NowFacts are sparks. Because

the embers are already present, a spark in
the right place is all we need.

Has a ray of happiness ever reached you at

an unexpected moment? Havent you longed for
these rays to break through more often, and with
greater intensity?
The present moment can be compared to an
island in the middle of the sea. It appears to be
isolated but beneath the surface the island is one
with the entire globe. Like the island, you appear to
be separate from the whole of life; however, at a
deeper level you are one with God/Truth/Reality
and no storm has the power to disturb this
connection.

The Buddha was asked, What do you and your

disciples practice? He replied, We sit, we walk and we
eat. The questioner continued, But sir, everyone sits,
walks and eats. The Buddha told him, When we sit, we
know we are sitting. When we walk, we know we are
walking. When we eat, we know we are eating.
P.D. Ouspensky, author of In Search of the
Miraculous writes:
Trying to remember yourself is always right.
Whatever you are doing, just try to realize that you are
doing that. Effort to remember yourself is the chief
thing, because without it nothing else has any value; it

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Awareness is a secret known for countless

centuries. It is like the letter that was well
concealed by placing it out in the open in the center
of the table. Its beautiful simplicity often causes it to
be overlooked and unappreciated. For example:

must be the basis of everything. Only in this way can you

pass from the mechanical to a more conscious state.
Purpose Tip : Awareness flourishes when you
remember what a deeper part of you already
knows, and does so in all kinds of
circumstances and events, both pleasurable
and challenging, simple and complex.
Develop Awareness with these NowFacts:

A. I Am Here.

Voice the words (silently or audibly) and let

them remind you to notice as much about your
environment as possible, including colors, the
breeze, your posture, your voice, the room and the
objects, the car youre driving and the passing
scene. Awaken to the subtle! No other place is
richer than now!
Purpose Tip : I am here unlocks the power
to keep your mind where your body is. Your
body is always in the present moment, so why
not join it?
It is nothing short of amazing how much I
am here opens you up for glimpses of your rich
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These three words instantly release you

from rambling thinking and return you to the
pleasantness of the present moment. They can be
used many times a day to teach the mind the
supreme value of now.

and purpose-filled life. There is no force or hard

effort, just simple recognition. You can also use the
related NowFact, Now is happinessnow is
intelligencenow is where I really want to be.

B. I want to know.

I observed something about Mr. Howard

over the years at his classes that had a profound
impact on me. Every time he lifted his glasses and
put them on, he knew he was doing it. His
movement had that special quality of awareness
that is always recognizable. No wonder he was so
cheerful!
We must resolve to be aware in spite of all
the old habits that dont want us to be aware. And
we must endure the bluff when familiar patterns
object to our new resolve to turn off the autopilot
and know what were doing the moment we are
doing it.
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This is self-teaching at its best. I want to

know when Im walking across the room. I want to
know when Im talking to someone. I want to know
when Im watching TV. I want to know when Im
answering the phone. When you walk across the
room, are you thinking of something else? When
you talk to someone, are you concerned about the
impression youre making instead of being aware of
the other person? When watching TV, are you
viewing the screen and knowing youre in the room,
or do you get caught up by the action on the
screen?

C. What will happen if I go a little deeper?

When the heavenly winds of now break
through, slow down and take notice of these
special experiences. Dont be careless with them.
Go deeper into their content by taking in as much
as you can. Discover what happens when you go a
little further and a little deeper.
We can never recreate these exhilarating
experiences by seeking them directly. The way to
guarantee their return is with The Language of
Awakening. You reconnect to the present moment
in which the cosmic winds have the opportunity to
refresh you, each time with new intensity.
Purpose Tip: The higher feeling grows by
awareness. What we recognize and value
increases.

D. I can use all things for my innerdevelopment.

Its not just the grander events that create
significant growth opportunities. You find advanced
truths in the little things; for example, tasting your
food, turning on the light switch, lifting your cup of
tea, reaching for the telephone, taking your next
breath. The most elevating realizations are found in
all the simple things we often experience at a low
grade of awareness.

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Dr. Chapin

You can also find elevating realizations in

unpleasant experiences. For example, weve all
had the experience of loading software and it
doesnt work as advertised. The frustration that
presents itself is an option, not a necessity. We can
use this difficult moment to deliberately choose
calmness and intelligent action, in place of
counterproductive stress that is entirely selfgenerated. In this situation the NowFact I can use
all things for my inner-development is immensely
practical. It reminds us to choose learning over
resistance.
Like an inverted pyramid, problems draw
their strength from mental meandering. Restore
your awareness in the simple acts of daily life and
watch this meandering fade away.

Here is a NowFact with exceptional practical

power. I dont have to think about the water cooler
gossip or the problems presented by the media. I
dont have to accommodate people who hint or
demand that I should think about whats on their
minds.
This does not mean we do not have good
manners; its just that our awareness is awake and
were not so easily carried away. As our power of
awareness expands, were increasingly attracted to
the cheerfulness and vitality of the present

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E. I dont have to be interested in what was

just said.

moment. Distractions hold less and less power to

pull us away.
Purpose Tip : Let the truth flow through you.
You will then know your future is 100 percent
secure because your present is.

Q & A:

A: There are so many ways! For example,

when the phone rings, let it be a signal to wake up.
Be aware of yourself walking to the phone and
lifting the receiver. Notice any anxiety or expectation. Be alert to the tone of your voice as you say
hello. Dont look for anything in that phone call to
fulfill you. Let the experience remain pure.
Remember that awareness is always strong,
poised and intelligent, and knows what to say and
how to act.
This telephone exercise can expand to all
areas of your life. Just as you might start painting a
building and cover only a little the first day, as you
keep working the entire building eventually gets
painted.
Another wonderful exercise is conscious
dining. Simple as it sounds, there is far more to this
than appears on the surface. Do not let your mind
be carried away by daydreams that want to use the
dinner to escape. Stay awake during the entire
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Q: Can you supply other methods to develop

awareness?

experience. Be aware as you lift your fork from the

table. Taste the food. Use it as an opportunity for to
discover your rich and purpose-filled life.
Driving is another opportunity to develop
awareness. Feel your hands on the wheel. Have
interest and affection for what is happening now.
Realize that even a routine drive you make every
day provides an opportunity for a completely new
experience.

Q: As you said, Keep your mind where your

body is.
A: It is such a noble and sane way to live! J.
Krishnamurti told a story about a man who came to
see him about his many problems. A beautiful
butterfly flew into the room and circled several
times.

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Preoccupation dulls everything it touches,

while awareness makes even the most familiar
events sparkle. You perceive color and variety you
did not see before. You hear sounds with greater
clarity. You breathe more deeply, which is one of
the healthiest things you can do on the everyday
level. Your powers of intuition come alive. You
handle things well. Youre rightly decisive. Youre a
better parent and a safer driver. The practical
benefits of awareness are endless.

The visitor was so self-absorbed, he never

saw it. In the absence of awareness, selfabsorption runs rampant. People often want
complicated and expensive answers. They refuse
to see that happiness, wisdom and vitality can be
as simple as the present moment.
Remember the letters WUN? They stand for
Wake Up Now. Place these letters someplace
where you will see them often. Let them be a
reminder to you to drop all racing thoughts, come
back to yourself and suddenly be awake.
Q: Im somewhat confused as to how one
can live in this world yet practice spirituality.
Theres so much to think about!

Mechanical work supplies the visible rewards of

food and other daily necessities. Mechanical work, whether
that of a carpenter or a professor, is work done without an
aim of self-awakening. Conscious work provides the
invisible rewards of self-harmony and other spiritual
necessities.
Conscious work, whether that of a carpenter or a
professor, is work performed while using it for inner
dawning.

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A: A spark of awareness can be present

when you are doing daily work, conversing with
others, making plans or enjoying recreation. Mr.
Howard explains this perfectly in his book Esoteric
Mind Power.

You can do mechanical work without receiving

payment, but you can never do conscious work without
payment, though at times it may seem delayed. You can
learn to do mechanical work consciously, and when
succeeding, you have overcome the world.

Awareness makes you more capable in

whatever task you undertake. It infuses a mother
with tenderness while caring for her children. It lifts
the business executive to new levels of
effectiveness. The carpenter works with greater
efficiency and skill. Awareness enhances a
salespersons ability to communicate. Whatever
your work, these principles work wonders.

A: To reclaim the ground preoccupation has

usurped will not be easy. People forget this. They
begin then find the going rough as old habits object
to the new direction. For example, at the start you
may feel sleepy and somewhat lethargic as youre
exercising muscles that have long been dormant.
Just rest more often. Never try to force anything
with strained effort.
Q: Do you have other awareness exercises
you can recommend?
A: Walking is always energizing when
accompanied by awareness. Feel the air on your

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Q: It can sometimes be very difficult to be

aware. Parts of us are eager to doze. Rambling
thinking is familiar; awareness is unfamiliar. What
do we do?

face, see the colors come alive, feel your weight on

your feet.

Q: You remembered that you forgot! That

seems to be what were looking for.
A: Indeed it is. These awareness exercises
help us see when weve drifted away from the
oasis of the present moment, and this detection is
a cool drink of water.
Q: How does the Heart fit in this discussion
about awareness?
A: NowFacts voiced in the Heart activate
energy. The sudden declaration I am Here

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A problem deeper than unawareness,

however, is a refusal to see that one is in fact
unaware. We have such flattering pictures of
ourselves, and our spiritual ones tend to be our
most prized possessions. I remember a large
public lecture Mr. Howard gave in Southern
California in 1982. At the end of the talk he gave
the audience an assignment to know they were
walking through the doorway as they left the hall. I
walked out without being aware, then,
remembering that I forgot, I paused by the doorway
to observe others as they departed. It was clear
they did not know they were walking through the
door, just as I had not. Their attention was
elsewhere. I learned that day just how advanced
these exercises are, in spite of how simple they
appear.

assumes far greater power when we feel it with our

entire being. Though it takes some creative work to
feel the origination of NowFacts in your Center,
with time the effort bears great fruit. Were so used
to thinking of the intellect as the starting point of
our speech, even though voice teachers have long
proclaimed it to be in the region of the diaphragm.
This is precious wisdom taught in the Bible and
other ancient sources.
Purpose Tip : Say these things in your Heart,
from the Spirit of Reality, and you will know a
1000 things more than you now do. (Vernon
Howard )

Heart Hints:

2. NowFacts condense an amazing amount

of Truth into just a few words, making it easier for
you to pause and apply.
3. When you activate your awareness with
the NowFact I want to know you step out of
preoccupation and discover the vast spiritual
wealth inherent in simple activities
4. Powerful truths are circulating around you
now, trying to enter.

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1. Employ the NowFact I am here and

notice an abundance of new energ y as it proves its
value.

5. Remember J. Krishnamurtis lesson of the

butterfly and notice the subtle things.
6. Awareness has a marvelous built-in
appeal; the more you experience it the more you
want to receive it.
7. Great insight can be found in what we
label as unpleasant experiences, so wake up in
traffic, wake up when standing in line; wake up
when criticized, wake up when life seems to be
overwhelming.
8. Daily life can be totally transformed when
you discover how to do mechanical work
consciously.

10. Know that when you have the good

feeling of God/Truth/Reality coursing through you,
with that feeling comes all good things, like
comfort, confidence, security, support, everything.

Vital Secret #2: Self-Observation

The Healing Beneath the Surface

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9. NowFacts gain even greater power and

vitality as we grow out of being so timid with our
internal speech, and let them resonate naturally
and easily throughout our Being.

What do we do about negative moods and

persistent mental agitators that refuse to depart
after weve dismissed them? If we try to force them
out they only gain strength from our resistance. Is
there another way?
Yes! Self-observation is a reliable energ y
for a rich and purpose-filled life. It admits a beam of
light into the mind that lights up your thoughts, as a
ray of sunlight through a window illuminates the
floating dust particles dancing in the air.

Self-Observation brings man to the realization

of the necessity for self-change. And in observing
himself, a man notices that self-observation itself
brings about certain changes in his inner processes. He
begins to understand that self-observa-tion is an
instrument of self-change, a means of awakening.
By observing himself, he throws, as it were, a
ray of light onto his inner processes that have hitherto
worked in complete darkness. And under the influence
of this light the processes themselves begin to change.
Release your self-observation energy with
these NowFacts:

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One of the best descriptions of selfobservation is given by P.D. Ouspensky in In

Search of the Miraculous:

A. There is _________.
This NowFact places the light of selfobservation directly on what is observed internally,
instead of filtering it through an illusory and
possessive I that wants to claim as its own all it
sees and experiences. Simply fill in the blank with
what you observe. For example, there is worry,
there is anger, there is tension. This takes away
the reaction to the disturbance by granting the
disturbance space to linger without selfcondemnation. There is _________ is a simple
statement of fact, and in this simplicity is its great
power.

Purpose Tip : The treasures of selfobservation are found by witnessing without

the slightest effort to modify. This energy is
the relaxed and uncritical awareness of the
events of the mind as they occur.

B. How do I really feel?

Without the screen of words, simply come
face-to-face with how you actually feel this instant.
If mental pain is present, dont try to cover it with

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A related statement is, Im going to explore

in spite of the fear. The word explore captures
perfectly the meaning of self-observation. Our aim
is insight, to uncover whats therenot to battle,
suppress or resist. Exploration leads to bright new
worlds, just as Columbus explored the horizon and
discovered a continent.

positive thoughts. Dont go to the refrigerator or

turn on the television or call someone. Seek
insight, knowing you are perfectly safe when facing
disturbances with the sincere desire to understand
their underlying causes.
Let the ache be there! Theres pure energy
in the ache. This energy can be freed through
understanding and through contact, not through
resistance. Theres wisdom in the ache! It has
something to say. What a relief to give up the battle
of the mind with itself.
How do I really feel? Notice how much
more clarity and energy you have when you simply
relax from all attempts to feel good and let
yourself be aware of how you really feel right now.

Picture a homeowner disturbed by noises

coming from his tool shed. He decides to
investigate. He finds an unlocked window rattling in
the wind. Now, where is his concern? It is dissolved
in the light of understanding.
The Light of Truth declares, I am here to
heal, not to hurt. The Truth is your friend; it
instantly forgives and never condemns. Allow it to
circulate into every corner of your mind and Heart.
Let it reveal pockets of resistance you did not know
were there. Declare,

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C. I am going to see every corner of the

haunted house!

I am going to see every corner of the

haunted house!
Purpose Tip : Any place inside yourself where
you feel pain is a place where you are
rejecting the entrance of the Light.

D. Why did I say that?

These practical and enjoyable techniques lift

you far beyond the pages of a book into the domain
of direct experience and revelation. Youre learning
the art of being your own teacher by jolting awake
energies you already possess.

Q&A
Q: What are we trying to accomplish with
self-observation?
A: The objective is to learn everything about
the mind, which means to observe the mind without
self-condemnation. When this is done with calm
curiosity, it will not interfere with the performance of
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Here is the power of honesty on the spot

and it transforms your life. Detect strained speech
and remember: The closer you are to a mistake
when you observe it, the more deeply will be your
insights and healings. Did I speak just now
because I was unaware? Was I anxiously trying to
impress? This NowFact awakens your curiosity,
which is never harsh, but simply wants to observe
and learn.

daily activities. To become familiar with yourself

creates unity, which actually enhances your ability
to act with ease and competence. Consciously
inhabit the patterns of the mind. Like a ripe fruit that
falls from the tree, letting go is effortless when all
the nuances of a false pattern are fully revealed.
Q: How does self-observation bring this
about?

We start to see the little things that were

previously hidden, such as the quick thoughts of
anger or discontent. As our inner world lights up
through self-observation, we feel increasingly
cheerful, but we are also stunned that so much
dust and debris have collected. It seems like a
paradox, but the deeper we see into the cellar. the
better we feel.
There are three layers for us to look at. The
surface layer is pretense, where most people live.
The second is the actual layer, the way we really
are beneath the pretense. The third is the healing
layer. It is possible to leave the surface, travel
through the actual layer and reach the healing
layer.

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A: In ancient Egypt mirrors were placed in

underground rooms to catch a single ray of light.
This ray was then reflected, using additional
mirrors, to endless rooms and levels. As our
capacity for self-observation expands we reflect the
light into increasingly remote corridors of our
psychic system.

Q: How can we develop this talent to far

higher levels of proficiency?

The sincere spiritual student asks Truth to

reveal more of the inner darkness. The Truth
reveals that darkness is a foreign element with no
connection to who you really are. There is great
cheerfulness in these insights. False teachings try
to evade darkness or cover it up. Real spirituality
takes its candle and walks right to the middle of the
darkness. The candle turns into a bright blazing
light. Light heals. It never condemns. Light is Life.
Q: Self-observation has been compared to a
flock of birds crossing the sky. As with thoughts,
have we made the mistake of identifying with them
and claiming them as our own, instead of just
casually observing them and letting them fly by?

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A: One good way is to tap its power first

thing every day. When you wake up in the morning
use this NowFact, Time to go to work.
Immediately notice as much as you can about
yourself. What is your mood? What are your
thoughts? What are your feelings? Give yourself
this healthy jolt first thing in the morning. When
working with the power of self-observation, dont try
to hold a psychological disturbance at a distance.
When it moves closer to you, dont fight it. Let it
increase in intensity. The closer it gets to you, the
more transparent it becomes! The things we fear
draw their seeming power from our attempts to
keep them away.

A: Yes. Your True Self is not connected to

any dark thought that moves through the mind.
Darkness is like a dump truck that wants to unload
in your yard, but it can do so only if you sign the
delivery receipt and accept the trash as yours.
Contemplate this principle instead: Darkness wants
you to think it is you who has problems, when in
fact it has problems. The freedom in this principle is
beyond words to describe.
Purpose Tip : You are the Light you are not
what it reveals.

A: We want to see what we say to ourselves

as a result of what we see or hear. One way to do
this is to observe precisely your reaction to any
given word. How do you react when you first hear
the word? For example, someone says, That was
a silly comment. With self-observation present and
active, you perhaps detect a quiver of
defensiveness to the word silly. On another
occasion, someone says, That was a brilliant
comment. You observe a false reaction of
satisfaction over the word brilliant. How
interesting that one little word can spin the gears!
The aim is to observe reactions without selfcondemnation, as you might watch a band play on
stage.
Another effective way to deepen selfobservation is to notice associations. For example,
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Q: What are some additional ways we can

apply self-observation?

you see a woman in a green coat. Be alert to any

associative links to someone else you once knew
who wore a green coat. Dont be asleep to the
mechanical connections that take place in the
mind. See them! You will still have mental
associations but inner light instantly dissolves any
anguish that wants to accompany them. You dont
get carried away.
What is your immediate reaction when you
first notice someone? When you see a letter or
email from them? These quick reactions are what
we want to see. Self-observation makes your day
rich and fascinating in a way that nothing else can.

A: See as much about it as possible; for

example, where does it create physical tension?
Every thought is connected to a muscle. Selfobservation reveals that a negative thought must
grip a muscle in order to linger.
Also, be very alert to the reaction to the
reaction. First see the thought, then see the
reaction concerning the thought. First theres a
critical thought about someone, then theres a
reaction to the thought that perhaps says, Im a
bad person for thinking that thought. Or, first
theres a thought about a person of the opposite
sex, then theres a thought that reacts to the
original thought saying, Im unspiritual for thinking

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Q: What do we do once we have detected

the reaction?

that. The light of self-observation heals all of this.

We are missing so much!
Q: Does the light itself dissolve the false?

Purpose Tip : Dont try too hard with these

powerful techniques. Maintain a light-spirited
attitude toward your practice, like the
enjoyment of playing a new game.

Heart Hints
1. Self-observation gently familiarizes you
with the hidden content of the mind, and in this
understanding is your healing.
2. People are often afraid of self-observation
because it dissolves the flattering self-picture they

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A: Yes! A speaking coach was hired to give

advice to a corporate executive who wanted to
improve his presentation skills. The coach
videotaped the executive giving a talk then played
the performance back for him. The executive
immediately saw a distracting gesture that he was
totally unaware he was doing. He asked the
speech coach, How can I get rid of this? It is so
deeply a part of me that I had no idea Im doing
this, and Im doing it all the time! The speech
coach replied, You dont have to do anything
about it. You now are aware of it. Your awareness
lets it fall away.

have of themselves as being loving and mature,

but what a great weight these pictures are!
3. Light goes into your minds secret
recesses and heals, freeing all the originally pure
energy it finds there.
4. When we increasingly detect the quick
thoughts of anger, discontent, jealousy or
comparison thats good. Were moving in toward
the core.
5. Never take your fears, your despairs, or
your pains as an enemy. Instead, use them to
learn.
6. The NowFact There is ________ is the
ideal launching pad for this energy.

8. Imagine the relief experienced by the

absence of self-condemnation over anything you
see in yourself.
9. The NowFact How do I really feel takes
you through the self-images of how you should feel
to the actual content of what you are experiencing
right now.
10. There is a space between stimulus and
response, and in this space is your rich and
purpose-filled life.
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7. Self-observation is like the sky. You have

all the space you need to understand yourself as
the clouds float by.

Vital Secret #3: Instant Choice

Free Yourself Now!
The previous energy, Energy #2, employs
the patient power of self-observation to gradually
dissolve negative moods - the sticky ones that
linger in spite of your wish to send them away. But
what about the flighty cuckoo thoughts, such as a
quick flashback to an embarrassing mistake made
years ago or worry over anothers opinion of you.
These coo-coo thoughts serve no practical
purpose. They tug you away from the present
moment. You can dismiss them easily with the
energy of instant choice.

A chief cause of unhappiness is what I call

mental movies.
Mental movies are a misuse of the imagination.
You know how it goes. You have a painful
experience with someone, then run it over and over in
your mind. You visualize what you said, what he did,
how you both felt. As awful as it is, you feel compelled to
repeat the film day and night. Its as if you were locked
inside a theater playing a horror movie.

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Mr. Howard gives one of the best

descriptions ever of instant choice. He writes in his
book, The Power of Your Supermind:

To break out be aware that you are running a

mental movie. Be conscious of its mechanical hold on
your mind. Then, by deliberate choice, break it off.
Shake your head and break it off. Now, at this instant,
take a quick look. Where is your pain? It is not there. It
has disappeared. You have now accomplished
something great. You have proved that you can snap the
film and its tyrannical pain. You are free and you are
free right now.

The practical power of NowFacts and The

Language of Awakening must experienced to be
believed. They work wonders because they use the
power of internal, silent speech (In the beginning
was the Word . . . John 1:1) to awaken what your
Central Self already knows.
Purpose Tip : When you catch yourself
caught by wrongness, just switch to the
higher world. When you switch to the higher
world, you will know you are not the person
you were just three seconds ago.
Develop your energy of instant choice with
these NowFacts:
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Every negative thought carries with it a

baton, just like the runners in a relay race. The first
runner hands it off to the second runner, and he to
the third. Likewise, the preoccupied mind
unknowingly consents to negative associations that
trigger gloomy moods. With instant choice,
awareness steps in and halts the transfer of the
baton.

A. There are higher things to think about.

The old way of thinking has its favorite
grooves, such as mental arguments with people
not present. When you see yourself involved in one
of these internal movies, pause and say to yourself:
There are higher things to think about. This
NowFact snaps the spell and moves you to higher
ground.

The negative use of this power occurs when

youre asleep at the switch and allow the mind to
fall into energy draining mental movies. It is crucial
to wake up and declare, There are higher things to
think about. Youll feel new vitality as the power of
instant choice reclaims the energy consumed by
these films.

B. I dont belong here.

As you gain a taste for the wholesome and
nutritious food served at spiritual banquets, you
find that the cotton candy served by lower states of
mind taste terrible. After working for awhile with

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The mind possesses a natural ability to

create mental pictures. The positive side of this
power is used when artists see in their mind the
finished painting or sculpture. Architects employ
this faculty with great precision. It is used in
cooking, teaching, business and anyplace
successful projects manifest. The mind thinks in
pictures. This is why stories, myths, parables and
illustrations inspire for centuries.

NowFacts, Susan K. commented, Worry and

anger taste bitter to me now. I replied, This is a
sure sign of growth! Since Truth has a built-in
appeal, the better you feel, the better you want to
feel.
I dont belong here! This wonderful NowFact
reminds you that you do have the power of choice,
and the dry hot desert of low-level human
involvements are not where you belong. Your
home is your awakened Heart.
Purpose Tip : One thing that determines how
much progress youve made is how fast you
recover from a blow. Just how soon can you
start fresh?

The simple recognition of Truths presence

releases its energy. You instantly receive, without
strain and struggle, the insight it possesses. The
energy of instant choice expressed in this NowFact
creates an immediate switch to ease, health and
sanity.
A related NowFact: Truth, teach me to relax
in spite of myself. Here we have the healthy
insight that the old self prefers strain and tension to
the cheerful and relaxed flow of spiritual reality.
These preferences are habits. You have the power
to change your preferences by daring to catch a
glimpse of your rich and purpose-filled life.
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C. I dont have to strain because Truth is

here.

Purpose Tip : What is understood changes

without strain, but it changes in deep ways
you may not perceive at first.

D. I want to think my own thoughts.

Negative thoughts can be instantly
dismissed when you clearly understand they are an
impositionthey are not your own. Your Central
Self is thinking wise thoughts now. It has never
ceased to do so. These are your real thoughts.

SuperWisdom

We have been hypnotized by parrots

perched in the dark jungle. As we walk past, they
sneak in close and squawk in our name. Being
oblivious to their presence, we assume the
thoughts we hear are our own. I want to think my
own thoughts is a perfect NowFact for activating
your power of instant choice.

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More than a few parrots have become

experts in self-improvement and religious subjects.
Though they occasionally say something true, it is
nonetheless mechanical. In the next paragraph
they squawk something from parrot-land. Their talk
is far away from matching their walk. Who you are
speaks so loudly I cant hear what youre saying.
(Emerson)
When you feel pressure from anyone,
anywhere, in person or on television, let that
pressure instantly remind you that you have the
power of choice. You can pause and remember
what a deeper part of you already knows. You can
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I want to think my own thoughts!

instantly connect with the rich and purpose-filled

life that is yours right now. You have the spiritual
right to think your own thoughts. This is your inner
lighthouse.

Q&A
Q: It seems to me that everything depends
on our power of choice. Is that true?

The question is, how does one best restore

this power? Reading alone can certainly never do
it. But there is something we can do that goes right
to the core. By making the choice to abruptly exit
unproductive streams of thought and hypnotic
mental movies when they present themselves, we
activate our power of choice and it flourishes in
every dimension of life
Instant choice breaks up comfortable
patterns with a sudden return to awareness and
sanity. It does not allow us to get away with it! How
compassionate, and what a loving gift for our
development.
Q: Are there any other exercises that can
develop instant choice?

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A: The seven energies are attributes of one

magnificent unified source. We choose to be in the
present, choose to observe ourselves, choose to
develop independence and self-reliance. However,
our energy of instant choice has been dormant.

A: Here is a wonderful exercise we can call

self-surprise. It powerfully develops instant choice.
Here is how it works:
Picture a railroad car rolling down the tracks
toward danger. A switchman is standing beside the
tracks with a giant lever in his hand. At the very last
moment, he throws the switch and sends the railcar in
the direction of safety.

Youll instantly feel the trueness of practicing

this exercise. Anger did not succeed in dictating your
speech. Your power of choice lifted you above angers
arrows. This is not the practice of phony niceness. It is
the expression of true strength and authentic selfcommand. It can occur only when awareness is active in
the midst of anger, like the presence of a lighted lodge in
the dark forest.
Q: Isnt it true that most people do not want
to be jolted?
A: The more advanced a teaching, the more
it will refuse to support flattering self-images and
counterproductive behavior. With instant choice

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You are about to say something hurtful to

another person. The angry statement has left the dock; it
is traveling at the speed of light toward the mouth.
Instant choice steps in, a spiritual switch is thrown and
you do not say what you were about to say. You say
something helpful and positive instead. Every time you
practice self-surprise you send a healing jolt into the
depths of yourself.

you can get rightly tough with yourself. You simply

will no longer allow yourself to doze. You want to
wake up and instant choice is a tremendous
catalyst.
Q: How can we realize this?
A: We can! In fact, your Heart knows it now.
You can never lose the fact of your present
freedom. Were all like fish roaming around in the
ocean saying, Wheres the ocean?
Most of us are preoccupied most of the time.
Are you willing to be unlike the vast majority? Are
you willing to be your awakened Heart in place of
what the world wants you to settle for? You cant
have both. How long halt ye between two opinions? (1 Kings 18:21)

A: Yes. The Taoist refer to lifes dance of the

yin and the yang, the soft and the hard. Selfobservation is a yin energy. It is gentle and
receives a gloomy mood as easily as the sky
receives a dark cloud. The sky is infinitely greater
than the dark cloud, so why be concerned? Why
not just let the cloud linger awhile and fade away in
its own time? Conversely, instant choice is yang
energy. It is more deliberate and determined. You
simply refuse to consent to your mind being used
as a nest for cuckoos. Dont hesitate to let the

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Q: Is instant choice a more deliberate

energy than self-observation?

energy of instant choice create firm resolve and

make you rightly tough with yourself.
While conducting the SuperWisdom
Workshops I have often been asked, Do I
observe my thoughts or do I interrupt my
thoughts? The answer is, both! We employ Energy
#2 (self-observation) at times, and Energy #3
(instant choice) at other times. It is not either/or. It
is much more subtle and comprehensive than that.
You alternate and explore.

Heart Hints:
1. Just as a vibrating rod can be stopped,
dont fear to abruptly end unproductive
conversations with yourself.

3. Through the process of association one

negativity triggers another, but with NowFacts you
can choose to interrupt the chain of falling
dominoes.
4. If theres any place in your life where
bitterness lingers, persistently employ the NowFact
There are higher things to think about and watch
with delight how cheerfulness dawns.
5. The NowFact I dont have to strain
because Truth is here reminds us of the need to

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2. The false self wants to recharge;

however, your work with the instant choice
NowFacts denies it the food.

work with the easy touch and never get stressed

out over results from our spiritual practices.
6. Regarding the NowFact I want to think
my own thoughts, Im reminded of how Mr.
Howard asked us once, Why do you have more
confidence in other people than you do in yourself
? Why do you value what other people think more
than you value what you think?
7. We live in a world of endless zones of
pressure exerted by insecure people who want to
control our thinking so they can control our
behavior.

9. Angry or cutting remarks hurt, so derail

negative momentum immediately before it leaves
the mouth with the self-surprise exercise.
10. False teachers will not challenge you
because they want something from you, so be
cheerful and grateful over the fact that you can
develop your power to challenge yourself.

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8. I dont belong here certainly applies to

physical places but it is 100 times more powerful
when we apply it inwardly when we find ourselves
drifting in dingy areas of the inner city.

Vital Secret #4: Independence

Stop Trying to Please People Who Cant be
Pleased

The reason independence is so important is

this: You make the higher discoveries of your Heart
firsthand, through your own direct perception. This
means you must find your own way, which ultimately will be an entirely unique way. A sea
captain is a captain precisely because he acts from
direct perception of what needs to be done. His
memory serves him; he does not serve it. He has
his own style. He is not like any other sea captain
in the fleet.
For many years I had the job of training
salespeople in the field. The company paid my
expenses to fly to the trainees hometowns and
show them the ropes. No classroom theoretical
training, just out there doing it. I discovered I could
best assist the new employees by helping them
feel comfortable with their own style, their own
method of communicating. For example, one man I
worked with would explain a given aspect of our
companys service to the business owner, then

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SuperWisdom

Have you caught a glimpse of how most

people dont want you to change? Those who wish
this for you are your true friends. However, most
people you know have an image of you in their
minds, like a painting in their living room. When you
change, it disturbs their picture, and they dont like
that.

pause before moving on, I mean pause for a long

time. It about drove me crazy at first. But I kept my
mouth shut and didnt try to correct him. As he
developed his comfort level, the business owners
bought! The long pauses were his style!
Genuine spiritual independence grants
others space to relax, be themselves and learn and
grow. Unlike the dependent, the independent have
no wish for conformity. Mr. Howard writes, Nature
never duplicates a path.

You have to find out what truth is because that is

the only thing that matters, not whether you are rich or
poor, not whether you are happily married and have
children, because they all come to an end. . . . So,
without any form of belief, you must find out; you must
have the vigor, the self-reliance, the initiative, so that
for yourself you know what truth is, what God isThe
mind can only be free through vigor, through selfreliance.
And Anthony de Mello speaks with
challenging directness and clarity when he says:
Nobody ever rejects you; theyre only rejecting
what they think you are. But that cuts both ways.
Nobody ever accepts you either. Until people come
awake, they are simply accepting or rejecting their

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Independence
is
sacred
and,
like
awareness, it is a theme explored in great depth by
all authentic spiritual teachings. For example J.
Krishnamurti writes:

image of you. Theyve fashioned an image of you, and

theyre rejecting or accepting that. See how devastating
it is to go deeply into that. Its a bit too liberating.
Mr. Howard writes in his classic The Mystic
Path to Cosmic Power:

SuperWisdom

Dare to make up your mind about puzzling

matters, even if you make a mistake. It is necessary to
exercise your own mind, if you are ever to reduce and
abolish mistakes. Dont let other people make mistakes
for you; have the courage to make your own. A small
tree cannot grow to full height, when sheltered by a
large tree.

Purpose Tip : Independence is not a reaction

to authorityit is not a horizontal movement.
Independence is vertical! It is transcendence,
which is the loving wish that all real teachings
have for you.

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With the following NowFacts, you have the

tools to transcend a world that has no desire for
you to leave them in their cherished swamp:

A. That is your fear (or worry, problem,

regret) not mine.
Dependence causes us to assume that the
negative feelings of others belong to us. The
energy of independence informs us that negative
feelings are present but we do not have to pick
them up and churn them around in our system.

A related NowFact: Darkness harbors worry

(or regret, or anger, or fear) but I do not. Great
insight is in this NowFact. The only power darkness
has is when you accept its falsehood as your own
possession.

B. Others enjoy my company to the degree I

enjoy my own.
Anytime you see yourself struggling to make
a good impression, you can employ this NowFact
to let go of strained effort and enjoy your own
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We harm people when we take in their

negative atmosphere and pass it back to them. We
help others and ourselves when we neutralize
negativity at the doorbefore it has a chance to
enter our thinking. That is your _______, not mine
also has great power in the inner world as you
inform darkness that its worries, problems and
regrets are not your own.

company. A rich and purpose-filled life is found and

expressed by inhabiting the domain of your Central
Self. This domain is so charming and attractive that
even while with others you never leave your own
company. This is true kindness that effortlessly
benefits others. In fact, it reaches people all over
the world with an invisible touch, people you may
never know or see personally. Rightness radiates
remembrance.

The happiness we receive from ourselves is

greater than that which we obtain from our
surroundings. (Metrodorus)

C. Who are you trying to kid?

Once upon a time there was a wise
manager who handled the finances of a large
corporation. People constantly approached him
with unnecessary requests for money--$50,000 for
this project, $70,000 for that one. He looked at
them and said, Who are you trying to kid?

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In my old home of Arkansas, while chatting

with my nieces and nephews recently, I observed
tension and a strained effort to make a favorable
impression. I was unknowingly thinking, after all,
Im the uncle. I have a role to play. I let go of all
that and resonated this NowFact to myself several
times. Everything switched. Ease appeared again. I
returned to my Central Self and the entire tone of
the atmosphere changed for the better.

This NowFact informs negative inner states

that the power they had at one time, they no longer
possess. Said silently to others, it conveys the
same message. It is not said from a feeling of
superiority or with an ounce of hostility. It is simply
stated as the bright fact that it is.
Purpose Tip : The energy of independence
develops an immediate recognition of
elements foreign to your new nature.

Negativity observed in its infancy is easily

dissolved when you wisely ask, Who are you
trying to kid? Here are three more related
NowFacts:
1. Youve got the wrong man/woman.
2. I am no longer who you think I am.
3. That may have worked at one time, but
no more.

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Boldly inform darkness with The Language

of Awakening that a new day has dawned.
Darkness is a clever bluffer and is trying to
discourage you before too much light is turned on,
and it will have to depart since it wont be able to
stand it.

D. If you know what is best for me, why are

you so miserable?
Those who are the least able to manage
their own lives are the ones most eager to manage
yours. To call a halt to their pernicious and
determined efforts to dominate your thinking, a
direct and highly concentrated NowFact is
necessary.

Such mature and truly spiritual conduct on

your part may be the one chance the bulldozer has
to break the painful pattern and begin to recover.
Maybe he or she will ask one day, Whats this?
Heres someone whos not afraid. I wonder
why?

E. I am going to learn to live without you

100 percent.
This silent statement has a specific
application. It is directed to that strained smile that

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Though your outer demeanor will be firm

and resolute, inwardly youll be consciously tender
toward the offender. There is not a speck of
hostility or self-righteousness when this NowFact is
voiced silently within from pure perception. Youll
know with 100 per cent clarity that behind the
delusional controllers hard and brittle faade is a
great cave of anguish. This insight is true
compassion.

appears when you try to appease someone, or gain

their approval. Calmly yet firmly inform these tense
facial muscles, I am going to learn to live without
you 100 percent.

Unproductive patterns need to be informed

of the truth on the spot, and NowFacts are the ideal
way for you to do so. A related NowFact: I am
going to own my own life, and Im going to start
with my face.
Purpose Tip : When your face is as relaxed
and alert as the wise and cheerful thoughts
circulating in your Heart, your relationships
are transformed.

F. Just a minute. whose life is this?

You have a right to your energy, time and
attention. It t is never selfish to live your life as you
see fit; it is selfish only to insist that other people
live as you see fit.
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Youll have many opportunities to use this

statement to develop authentic independence. As a
result, your inner world is much more at ease and
the quality of your relationships rises. Again, there
is no anger or self-condemnation directed toward
the strained smile, but simply an intelligent
statement of fact. You are going to learn to live
without that strained like me smile 100 percent. It
is your destiny because this strength is within you
now. You just needed a tool to use that is stronger
than the strained smile. Now you have it!

A related NowFact: I can choose to live in

the light when around lovers of darkness. Even
though you may have to work next to someone
who embraces the desert, you can choose the
oasis. You can refuse to participate in gossip,
chuckle at crude jokes or condone immature
behavior. You can live in the light without harboring
feelings of superiority. It is not negative or
judgmental to see that someone is a lover of
darkness. They can change their choice, but they
must claim this power for themselves, just as you
are working to do.
Purpose Tip : Never forget: You have a right
to your choice! It can be taken from you only if
you give it away.
Be wise and avoid letting desert dwellers
see how much you know about them. Simple
politeness is a virtue for its own sake, but it also
helps you keep inner life insights private. Christ
said it with the utmost brevity, Dont cast your
pearls before swine. (Matthew 7:6)

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We have responsibilities to nurture our

children and perform our daily work with reliability
and efficiency. However, when we take
responsibility for things adults must do for
themselves, we rob them of the chance they have
to develop. Much evil is done in the name of
helping people. You owe nothing to adults except
a mature mind and spirit, and they owe nothing to
you but the same.

Q&A
Q: Is it true that society wants us dependent
and compliant?
A: Absolutely it is true. Emerson spoke well
when he said Society everywhere is in conspiracy
against the manhood of every one of its members.
To live in the higher state of oneness
revealed in all true spiritual literature, we must first
see how dependent we are. We must face the
shocking revelations of how easily our thinking is
swayed by the worlds opinions and fads, even
facial expressions.

It may sound surprising , but you can use

television to develop independence! When youre
watching a movie or the late breaking news, snap
the spell. In the middle of that exciting scene on the
screen, look away. Reclaim your attention. Take a
deep breath. Strike a blow for independence by
practicing this exercise often. Simple practices like
this spark these vast powers to life.
Q: How
independence?

does

empathy

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connect

with

SuperWisdom

The more a person talks about his

independence, the less he or she is likely to
actually have it. We must let the facts jolt us out of
dependency.

A: While absorbing the cheerful feelings that

exist in higher spiritual states, we develop a
powerful sense of contrast. As we begin to more
quickly detect our own slips into unproductive
desert areas of the mind, we increasingly perceive
the inner states of people around us.

Lets again look at the synergy. The energy

of self-observation creates independence from
negative thoughts revealing clear open spaces
within, which are gradually filled with higher
feelings. This produces a contrast between the
awakened state and the preoccupied state and in
turn nourishes the power of empathythe ability to
stay in your own brightness while simultaneously
discerning the inner states of others.
Q: Why is there an unseen fear of
independence? Is it because we must then think for
ourselves?

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When people are preoccupied, they can

walk into a room of people where negative feelings
are present and wrongly believe that these
negative feelings originated within themselves. As
we grow we perceive that the negative feelings of
others are their feelings. Were aware that
negativity is present, but we do not take it as being
our own. Growing independence creates empathy
and the ability to consciously put yourself in
another persons place, without getting personally
involved with what you perceive.

A: Yes. It connects to the fear of making

mistakes and being criticized for them. Some, or
much of this, we picked up in childhood. We can
transcend all of this.

A few weeks later Wally said, Fly over to

North Little Rock. (about 7 miles away.) What!
Alone! Leave my now familiar and cherished airport
pattern? Next came my first cross-country flight
from Little Rock, Arkansas to Memphis,
Tennessee, some 120 miles away. All I had to do
was follow the interstate down there, but getting
that far away from my home base was nerveracking.
After several years of experience I
undertook the IFR trainingthe Instrument Flight
Rules where you learn to fly in bad weather by
using the instruments alone. It was a tremendous
challenge in the beginning to land a plane in fog
and rain. I was afraid, but gradually it became
easier.

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Heres a personal example. In my earlier

years of learning to fly, the day came for my first
solo flight. We were doing touch and go practice
landings in which you immediately take off without
stopping. After a good landing my instructor Wally
said, Tom, pull over there. I need to get
something. He stepped out on the wing of the
Piper Warrior, looked back in and said, Take her
for a few rounds, and Ill see you when you get
back. What! Alone!

Fear clings to the familiar. It pulls out its big

guns just before a breakthrough. Fear is
predictable; its always going to object! But fear is a
bluff. We learn by experience that shaking is
harmless if we keep walking.
Q: Can you say more about how
independence leads to harmonious relationships?
A: The energy of independence develops
empathy. Its not that youre reading anothers
thoughts; rather, your essence connects with the
truth in another. Its like the strings on a guitar.
When you pluck one string, the others vibrate in
harmony with it. If you do not strike your own
harmonious chords, the world will make you dance
to its tune.

A: When we fall back on any small or large

institution as our principle authority, we water the
seeds of rigidity and failure. Such dependency may
appear right and some argue that new people
need it, but we never strengthen our self-reliance
by giving it away.
The wisdom seeker who treasures
independence can profitably participate in a group
and not get caught by all the undercurrents, even in
a rare group of genuine value. Always remember
that a true teacher encourages independence and
self-reliance.

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Q: Can you talk more of independence

within the setting of spiritual groups?

Q: So many groups and organizations exist

today. Some of the leaders are quite dynamic.
Whats going on?
A: False teachers like the big show of
followers, meetings, buildings and money which
are enticing to the ego. Sufi writer Idries Shah tells
us in The Commanding Self what happens:
The blind cannot lead the blind. Generally such
organizations become soaked in self-esteem and lose
humility. Few Christian leaders today would accept
Jesus, for instance, if they met him. Instead of really
knowing anything, they feed upon self-esteem, which
develops into what we call the Commanding Self. It is
very terrible, because this is diametrically opposed to
their real possible destiny.

Also remember that not all of the wise are out

writing books or conducting classes. Like Dr. Chapin,
they are perfectly content to light their own corner of the
world knowing that by spiritual law the light will always
find its way; it cannot be contained.
Q: How do we prevent an authentic spiritual
teaching from turning rigid and programmed, as if it
can fit in a belief structure?
A: Lets stay with Idries Shah on this:

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Soaked in self esteem, thats very important.

The I was a favored student of a great teacher attitude
has definitely sunk many ships.

If you have any experience with spiritual groups,

you will know that too many people focus their attention
on the teacher and not on the teaching. Indeed, this is
such a frequent abuse that some people become
completely fixated on a teacher, whether true or false.
Truth flows like Niagara Falls. The aim is
never the book or the teacher or the organization.
The aim is the waterfall they point to! Some have
let themselves get blocked by overlooking this fact
in their actions, even though they may say they
agree with it.

Purpose Tip : The middle path is the

answera willingness to concede someone
knows more and theres something to learn,
without sacrificing one ounce of ones selfreliance.
Q: Its refreshing to hear these truths stated
so directly. Do many authors and speakers hold
back because theyre afraid theyll offend?
A: Yes indeed. We have good manners
here. The Truth is gentle and kind, yet its standards

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One more thing before we move on. The

ego loves to take a vital spiritual truth and twist it to
maintain its position such as the truth of the
necessity for independence. Its upsetting to the
ego to entertain the idea that someone knows more
than it does. In fact, the ego often wants to move
from student to teacher as soon as possible, in
record time if it can.

are very high. It both encourages what is true in us

and rebukes what is false. Truth is not going to
lower itself to win the favor of anyone.

Heart Hints
1. Be your own person, think with your own
mind, stand on your own two feet. (Dr. Chapin)
2. Increasingly, you enjoy being alone with
your real nature, but when with others, you are
socially competent and at ease. You are not shy
and withdrawn because you arent trying to find
someone to be nicer to you than you are to
yourself.

4. Drop anxious searching for a teacherlet

Truth teach you.
5. Independence is a higher state of learning
because it is receptive and flexible; it is free of the
desire to conform and please.
6. Independence teaches us that the wise
and happy thoughts of the Heart are more
rewarding and interesting than anything the world
can present, which makes it possible to enjoy the
world in a whole new way.

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3. These truths can sometimes seem hard

and uncaring, as with the silent NowFact If you
know what is best for me, why are you so
miserable? but they are in fact the exact opposite;
they are filled with compassion.

7. There is a symphony being played in the

Heart, but were asleep to its melodies because the
mind is now so noisy.
8. The NowFact That is your _______, not
mine reminds you a spiritual law exists that says
the trash adults make for themselves must be
cleaned up by them.
9. The more independence you have, the
more you detect and avoid subtle pressure such as
Get nervous like me.
10. Real spiritual growth is its own evidence.
You know it is happening. You see what is
beginning inside of you.

How to Deal With Yourself and Your Mistakes

Medical science has proven that letting go of
blaming others for the harm we believe they have
done has definite benefits for health and wellbeing. Nothing crushes like grudges.
But there is a far higher level of forgiveness.
It includes the understanding that we live in a
gigantic stage production, that actors appear and
disappear, that good fortune is as much of a hoax
as bad fortune. It also includes the understanding
that the characters are scripted. They are asleep

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Vital Secret #5: Forgiveness

inside the production. Until we wake up from the

dream, we cannot act above the level of the script.
Shakespeare most definitely realized this
higher view when he said, All the worlds a stage,
and all men and women merely players.

The moral of the lesson: The picture is not

you. From a small child we develop a self-image.
Like everyone around us, we learn to defend and
promote the image. When it is rejected by others
we develop a grudge against them. When it is
accepted and flattered, we call them friends. This
roller coaster becomes our life.
The answer is to dissolve the pictures
through self-honesty and all the wonderful
principles youre discovering in this book. When
you know the picture is not you, anything can
happen to it and youre okay. Remember this
fabulous principle and use it as a NowFact: It
happened, but it did not happen to me.

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Heres an illustration: In the late 1800s a

mans photograph was placed in the saddlebag of
a Pony Express rider and mailed on a long journey
across the country. At one point it was lost and left
out in a rainstorm, then transferred to a smoky
train. What if the person who sent the photograph
thought the photo was actually himself ? He would
be upset, indignant and deeply concerned over the
scratches and blemishes.

In Reality, there is no separate self there

apart from the whole of Life. What is there is simply
a collection of every painful experience and painful
thought. But this collection of pain is not you. Yes,
it is there, but there is no self present to whom it
belongs. This thought is remarkably freeing.
What holds the pained self together is the
conviction there is an actual person there who is
suffering. Yes, there have been painful
experiences. But none of these painful experiences
ever happened to you!

Here is how to place vast currents of

rejuvenation to work for you, and experience the
wonders of forgiveness on an entirely new level:

A. Now is new!
A mistake of 50 years ago or five seconds
ago has no legal claim on the present. Who you
really are never fell asleep, never made the
mistake. The power of the present moment is so
immense it is capablewhen lived in fullyof
destroying forever every past mistake and regret.

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Living from these lofty facts enhances your

ability to fulfill your roles and responsibilities in life.
When immersed in the big production, we fall for
the ups and downs and lose our center.
Forgiveness dawns as we realize our oneness with
the Source of Life.

The power of now is new is beyond words

to describe. You can use this NowFact often to
recover after any misstep, whether large or small.
Recovery is forgiveness as you learn the lesson
and cheerfully move on.
Purpose Tip : While on the path to complete
freedom, we learn a lot through our own
errors. Errors are always stepping-stones to
one who walks the path of truth.
Dr. Chapin

B. I am here to learn.

It is easier because were closer to our

Central Self and its endless supply of wisdom and
refreshment, yet it is more difficult in that to grow
Life brings about new and often challenging
experiences. We are not here for comfort or
soothing. Leave that to the false teachers. Were
here to wake up from the gigantic dream and
rediscover our rich and purpose-filled life. I am
here to learn.
For example, an exceptionally difficult
person may appear in our life after years of study.
This is an opportunity to learn. It teaches us selfcommand and jolts us out of complacent patterns.
Yet, how often do we let our self-images take over
and resist the lesson with whispers like, Youre a
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The spiritual path gets more difficult, yet in

other ways it gets easier.

spiritual person. You dont need this. The fact is

that it might be precisely what we need.

SuperWisdom

At the same time this is true, it is also true

that you need never consent to another person
treating you badly. What to do is never cast in
stone. Every situation is different. Our aim is
flexibility. With the NowFact I am here to learn
you can go against what the false pattern wants in
favor of what is truly best for you.

Heres another NowFact: The only reason I

made a mistake is because I did not understand

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something. Since it is possible to acquire the

needed understanding, I will do so.
Purpose Tip : If you are tempted and fail, just
learn from the experience. Dont condemn
yourself. Just see and learn.

C. I am awake and I am in charge!

You are instantly forgiven for having been

preoccupied just a second ago. Dont let darkness
trick you into self-condemnation over having been
vacant, even if you were vacant for hours. Step
past this sly trick and stay awake. Now is new!
A related NowFact is I want to live! When
tempted by a grudge, self-accusation, anger or
worry, step beyond it now by declaring with
heartfelt intensity, I want to Live!

D. Time to take the next step up!

Forgiveness is a step up and out of the
dozing old self to a new place of learning and
receptivity. You will gain great enthusiasm as you
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When you feel yourself drifting with the

hypnosis of society, when your thinking is
scattered, pause and say to yourself: I am awake
and I am in charge! This is an entirely different I
than the one asleep just a moment ago. Now, flow
with this new state for as long as possible. Be alert
to any guilt thought that tries to condemn you for
having been asleep.

perceive that every experience, every challenge,

can be an opportunity to employ a NowFact. This
means even a state of anxiety or worry can be an
opportunity to take the next step up. You can use
it to turn toward the inner oasis instead of tossing
sand around in the desert.
Because the fundamental law of life is
growth, Time to take the next step up! instantly
harmonizes your intent with the universe.

Q & A:

A: Heres an advanced truth. True

forgiveness comes when you comprehend with
absolute clarity that no independently operating self
is there, apart from God/Truth/Reality, that needs
to be forgiven. The false self is an illusion, a vapor;
it does not exist to be forgiven and seeing this is
forgiveness.
Q: This is a difficult truth. How can I accept
it?
A: It is a seed that sprouts and reveals its
endless meaning when you let it play lightly on the
edges of the mind, then move effortlessly in toward
the core. You need not try to figure it out.

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Q: Grudges can run deep! They are

persistent and keep bobbing up. How can we find
lasting forgiveness at the core of our being ?

Q: Guilt permeates society. It is persistent

and seems to never give up. How can I be free of
this?
A: Entire religious empires and dishonest
charities are built on guilt. It is a favorite weapon of
a malicious society as it tries to extract allegiance,
money, time and attention from its unaware
members. Guilt wails, Look what you did to me!
We must go beyond dissolving the guilt to
dissolving the fictitious guilty person. The false self
thrives on having an identity and being a guilty
person will suit it just fine.
Once we begin to catch glimpses of these
deeper truths, we touch rejuvenating currents that
heal the illusion of separation. The power of
forgiveness is so comprehensive that the false self
is dissolved at the core.
is

A: We all go through it. Christ said, Lose

your life and ye shall find it. Incredibly, the
spiritually blind read this without a trace of
discernment. They tell us this applies to the
afterlife, whatever that is. No, it is about
dissolving the false life and the resurrection of your
true life.
Q: How does forgiveness connect with our
relationships?

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Q: Its challenging. The magnitude

overwhelming. Do others feel this?

A: What you want in your Heart is healing for

yourself. You desire full recovery and restoration.
As your wish for these spiritual treasures deepens,
youll naturally want the same for others, even
those who may have appeared to cause you harm.
This is not sentimentality. It is sound spiritual truth.
At the same time you will know that it is wrong to
allow anyone to behave badly toward you. If they
insist on doing so, the relationship ends. But this
firmness on your part can be present without a
trace of bitterness. You want the offender to
recover, just as you want recovery for yourself.
We cannot chain others in our own thoughts
and expect to be free. In freeing others we free
ourselves.
Mr.

Forgiveness is not necessarily a matter of going

to these people, but of psychic understanding. You must
forgive yourself for being spiritually asleep; this is
possible when you see things as they really are. This
pardons you from every offense you have ever
committed, for you knew not what you did; you were out
of your true mind. Forgiveness has nothing to do with
the offended person; it is solely a matter of your own
awakening. This will become increasingly clear to you.
Q: What additional exercises can
practice to develop the power of forgiveness?

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Here are marvelous words from

Howards book Pathways to Perfect Living:

A: Before dealing with any crisis or situation

that confronts you use this wonderful NowFact: I
will handle this the best I know how, yet at the
same time I will know there is a much higher way to
handle it. The challenge or crisis is there, yes, and
it must be dealt with. Do the best you can with your
present level of understanding, while knowing there
is always more to learn.
we

can

forever

end

self-

A: With The Language of Awakening, yes

we can! Here is another NowFact which centers
around the word however. Use it often. Whenever
you are in a negative inner state let however
remind you there is a higher world. For example,
say to yourself something like, There is worry over
this problem; however I choose to remember that
tension is unnecessary. When there is a mistake,
let it remind you that now is new. However
nourishes forgiveness as well as your power of
instant choice.
Q: So forgiveness is very much connected
to awareness and present moment living?
A: Absolutely. Once again we see the
inspiring symmetry of the seven vital secrets. Selfcondemnation is the glue that holds the false self
together. It is the Source of Life itselfflowing
through the present momentthat renews, heals
and forgives. Grudges against others melt away,

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Q: So
condemnation?

like the images on the theatre screen dissolve

when the rooms light is turned on.

Heart Hints
1. The present moment untangles the
delusion of a separate self, and authentic
forgiveness flourishes.
2. You may be able to forgive others for the
harm they have caused you, but can you forgive
yourself for the harm you have caused others?
3. You need not try and forgive someone
because it can strengthen the ego; just tap into the
cosmic energy of forgiveness that exists right now.

5. The process of growth is like peeling

away the layers of an onion. Be patient and let the
healing powers do their work.
6. God/Truth/Reality is untouched by every
human mistake since the beginning of time, so selfpunishment over mistakes is the ultimate waste of
energy.
7. The NowFact I am awake and I am in
charge is a bold step toward reclaiming your life,
especially when you let I resonate in the corridors
of your Heart.

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4. The NowFact now is new has lofty

energy; the more you let it dwell in your thinking,
the more you feel its amazing power.

8. Having no existence in reality, the false

self must continually repair and prop itself up with
petty grudges; self-condemnation is a grudge
turned inward.
9. The rejuvenating currents of forgiveness
and recovery seek to heal the Heart, not the
intellect, for once the Heart is healed, the mind
naturally follows.
10. Self-condemnation is a super glue that
repairs any damage happiness and insight do to
the false self. Dare not to repair it. Let the false self
fade away.

Vital Secret #6: Efficiency

Your Central Self has many positive

qualities, including joy, regeneration, gratitude and
sufficiency. This is the very thing Christ referred to
when he counseled, Put the kingdom of heaven
first, and all these things shall be added unto you.
(Luke 12:21) We could rephrase this to say, Put
your Heart foremost and its endless supply of
energy nourishes every dimension of your life and
experience.
Purpose Tip : When pure energy flows
directly into your life, without detours, your life

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Enter Lifes Easy Flow

and
your
springtime.

environment

blossom

like

It is like the man who is gone for two weeks

and returns home to find all his appliances running.
While he was away someone broke in and turned
everything on. Now that he is back (now that you
are aware), wasted energy is reclaimed.
People concern themselves with inefficiency
at their desk or in their daily life. A far greater
inefficiencyin fact, the one that fuels all the
othersis carelessness with our life energy when
we divert it to worry, guilt, tension, anger, jealousy
and other negative emotions.

Look at the symmetry of the seven energies!

Energy #1, awareness, is absolutely necessary for
efficiency. It all starts with the present moment.
Energy #2, self-observation, enters as we detect
how we waste energy, especially within our own
psychic system. Energy #5, instant choice, plays a
crucial role as we make new decisions on how to
deploy this energy. We reclaim our life energy for
higher aims.
There is an extremely powerful spiritual
energy coming down to earth. It is used by all

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You have an abundance of energy. Your

Center is pouring forth an endless and
inexhaustible supply. It takes patience and
persistence, but you can master how this energy is
deployed. This is wisdom.

human beings. But almost everyone

energy wrongly, causing enormous
tension. The energy is abundant. It
harmonize with it, we allow ourselves to
by a lack of understanding.

uses the
pain and
we dont
be pained

Use these NowFacts in the midst of your

daily life to build order and efficiency and keep your
energy pure:

A. I can have a problem-free nature.

Picture a house filled with old crystal

glassware. As cars and trucks pass by, the glasses
vibrate. They resonate to the many activities
occurring outside the house.
Does it make sense to try to control the
outside activities so things will quiet down inside
the house? Or, is it far wiser to box up the old
glasses and cart them away?
We waste a lot of energy trying to mold
people and events to fit our demands. One of the
most painful demands is to insist that people
behave on a higher level than they actually occupy.
Someone can raise his level, but until he does, he
cannot act above that level. False expectations for

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Heres a NowFact for contemplation in free

moments during your day. It contains vast
treasures of wisdom and happiness that may not
be immediately apparent. Remember, the false self
needs conflict to exist, but you do not.

mature conduct from immature people drain

enormous quantities of energy.
Dr. Chapin adds, We find the true self
quickly when we let all things be as they are and let
life happen as it will. Once your inner home is
clear of vibrating demands, Truth inhabits you with
its highly efficient and problem-free nature.
With the Easy Flow, you have freedom, flexibility
and happiness. Vernon Howard

B. I refuse to allow the theft of my energy.

Be especially alert to the tactics of false

positives. These are usually people who have
known you for awhile. When they see changes in
your demeanor, they want to find out whats going
on. They ask questions and seem interested, not
from a real desire to better their lives, but to pry
into yours. Be aware of their prying questions and
politely refuse.
Your energy is a gift for your development. It
is not the property of false patterns, whether in
yourself or in others. Once you begin to really
understand this, you will say with great emotion: I
refuse to allow the theft of my energy!

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Like a pickpocket whose aim is to divert your

attention so he can steal your money, an empty
and hungry world lusts after your attention, money
and time.

A related NowFact: Enough is Enough!

Enough of this nonsense, this appeasement, this
disorder! This statement is finality, which is one of
the great rewards of the awakened life. Finality is
freedom.
Purpose Tip : Keep your studies simple. Think
clearly, think briefly. Dont complicate things.
You want to get to the point!

C. What a dreadful waste of energy that

could be used for self-awakening.

Physical tension consumes a great amount

of energy; unaware people have little kinesthetic
awareness. Money is an expression of energy and
can be wasted in foolish spending. Time is an
expression of energy and its wise use is essential
for inner development.
Were social creatures and talking with
others fills a natural need, but beware of gossip. It
dissipates energy like few things can. You can also
use this NowFact with great effectiveness when
you hear gossip disguised as genuine concern or
a wish to understand. Gossip is insidious, a
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A huge amount of energy is lost in negative

emotions. Anger, for example, is a terrible energy
thief, an anchor that prevents your ship from
moving with the wind. When anger appears within
you or in others, it is the perfect time to pause and
say: What a dreadful waste of energy that could
be used for self-awakening.

dreadful waste of energy and an enticing drug. It

leads to slander and the scarring of the soul. When
faced with these things, instantly turn toward what
your spirit knows is true and decent and clean! If
possible, cut all connections to any chronic
slanderer/gossiper.

D. I have nothing to say to that.

Here are gems from Mr. Howards booklet
Conquer Anxiety and Frustration:

The next step is to reply to the attempted

attack: I have nothing to say to that. This cuts off
the contagious effect of the negative assault. It
blocks your tendency to accept and imitate
depressing words from others. Your nature does
not fall to the level of the anxious remark, but
remains high above it.
Negative people want to get you involved
with their defeat, and this is a major method they
use to do it. Your reply: I have nothing to say to
that prevents them from drawing you in as their
victim. An attitude of defeat in another person
cannot touch you unless you carelessly accept it as
yours. And there is no need at all for you to accept

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The first step is to remain alert when people

try to weigh you down with their nervous comments
and attitudes. You will have plenty to observe, for
the whole world staggers under the burden of its
own gloom.

it. A quiet refusal to enter the battlefield is the

perfect reply.
Heres a related NowFact: Regardless of
how I feel about it, that wolf does not belong to
me. This reminds you of your power of choice.
Picture someone who brings a wolf on a leash to
your door. He says, I found your wolf and Im
returning it to you. You sternly inform the visitor
that you own no wolf and quickly shut the door.
Purpose Tip : When a negative reaction
stands at the doorway of your mind, nothing
requires you to invite it in and show it your
electrical outlet.

Q: We work, run businesses and raise

families. Or perhaps were retired and have other
activities and duties. There is such an obvious
need for efficiency and clear thinking in everyday
affairs. I remember you saying once, Doing your
work right in the world expands your mental
powers, allowing you to rise from there to spiritual
powers. Yet so many of us on the spiritual path
often have our heads in the clouds. How can spirituality and practical thinking develop together?
A: The right use of the mind can be
compared to a man who owns two houses. One
house is near the road, where all the traffic is. His
second house is on a hill behind the lower house. A
path goes from the lower house to the higher
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Q&A

house. It is very quiet in the upper house. There is

none of the noise that exists at the lower house.
Likewise, we have a mind to use for practical purposes, but we also have a higher house.
The purpose of life is to use everything to
develop the higher house. You then alternate back
and forth. You have things to do and think about.
But when you are through with practical thought,
you put it aside and go up to your higher house.
As we live now, we alternate between
practical thought and negative internal rambling.
With spiritual growth that changes. We alternate
between practical thought and higher awareness.

Q: How can we develop more focus?

A: Heres another illustration: There was
once a man who worked in an office. He was
productive, happy and a pleasure to be around.
One day an employee mentioned this remarkable
coworker to his manager. I wonder what makes
him different? The manager replied, I know what
it is. I have studied him for a long time. He stays
focused on the essential and free of the

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In the SuperWisdom Subscription Website

we have a section devoted to proven resources for
efficiency, including the 80/20 principle. (80% of
our results come from just 20 % of our actions.)
Efficiency is a highly profitable study for students of
these themes.

unnecessary. I have given the man a nickname. I

call him: The man who can leave things alone.
Q: I like that! How can we be like that man?
A: The original disturbance is not the
problem. It is our reaction to the disturbance that
drains away our energy. Likewise, other peoples
behavior is not my problem at all. The problem is
how I react to the actions of others.

When we leave things alone we keep our

internal space free and clear. Were open to
influences from Truth that have matched ever step
we take toward it with a step toward us.
Q: Dependence would certainly be a major
source of loss of energy. Can you comment on it?
A: There is a certain kind of person who
wants to have his life taken over by circumstances,
people and events. Not knowing what to do with
himself, his life is not his own but belongs to
everything that happens to him.
Then there is another kind of very rare
person who wants to own his own life and his own
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Hence, never condemn another person.

Never despise them or think bad of them in any
way. If you do, you are simply placing yourself
where they are. Never hate society. Simply
understand. It is your complaints against other
people and circumstances that keep in place the
conditions you complain about.

energy. He does not surrender his mind to

intruders. He is on guard to catch foreign and
destructive thoughts, and refuses to allow them to
wreck his feelings. He maintains the integrity of his
inner world, treasures his power of choice and is
selective and discriminating over what he allows to
enter the corridors and closets of his mind. He
knows the supreme value of energy and refuses to
waste it.
Be this rare person! You will have nothing in
common with the billions who have given their life
away to whatever comes along. They love
distraction; you love awareness. You may have to
work beside them, but you can be 100 percent
detached from them psychologically and spiritually.

A: Heres a good one. Observe people in an

elevator. One person stares up at the floor
indicator. The others join in. Everyone stares,
unaware of what they are doing. People
mechanically do what others are doing. Dont be
like them. Live your own life! Make your own
decisions, even in the smallest thingsnot from a
defiant or go-it-alone attitude, but simply because
you want your life to be truly self-directed so you
can be of maximum benefit to yourself and others.
Q: I know I should be a more efficient
person. How can I?

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Q: What specific way can someone notice

an energy-draining dependence in daily life?

A: Heres that old should again. Im

convinced that if theres a sign over the entrance to
Hades, it would read, You should have been more
spiritual.
When you organize your home and office,
you are expressing the energy of efficiency. When
you determine to have more order in your life, you
are merging with this energy. This change of
viewpoint makes all the difference! Instead of trying
to make yourself an efficient person, you realize
that the energy of efficiency already exists.

Simply notice inner or outer energy drainers

the moment they appear. Insight is action. When
you see something clearly there is no waffling on
what to do. Also notice how energy conserved
expresses itself in constructive decisions and
actions, as well as higher levels of creativity. You
get more done and the quality is richer.

Heart Hints
1. The NowFact I have nothing to say to
that is your ticket to freedom from this worlds

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At the same time, a certain degree of

intelligent effort is required to move ourselves out
of familiar patterns. The principle let go and go
with the flow is true, but first we have to see an old
pattern in action and let insight lift us out of it.
NowFacts are ideal for this. They activate instead
of indoctrinate.

nuttiness, and how beautifully it applies inwardly as

you have nothing to say to fear, loneliness or guilt.
2. People who love the swamp are not going
to leave it, and your demand that they leave it is a
dark method carefully orchestrated to get you back
to the swamp.
3. We must be alert to false positives
pretending to have an interest in what were doing
so they can plant sinister seeds of doubt and
confusion. Talk about the path to a rich and
purpose-filled life only with those who show
persistent interest.

5. Reclaimed energy begins to circulate in

your Heart where increasing vitality releases more.
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he
shall have more abundance. (Matthew 13:12)
6. Gossip is insidious and especially
dangerous in spiritual groups where its rationalized
with, Were observing and discussing in order to
grow.
7. Be the man or woman who can leave
things alone, who feels no obligation or compulsion
to pick up junk.

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4. Physical tension is a profitable area of

inquiry because false patterns like to grip muscles
to further their hold.

8. When people neglect their spiritual

development, they descend ever more deeply into
a state of complaint.
9. Like awareness and forgiveness, the
energy of efficiency is present now and need not
be created. It simply needs to be recognized.
10. Efficiency with money and time leads to
efficiency with your life energy.

Vital Secret #7: Receptive Request

How To Remember What You Already Know

Also remember to feel these requests

resonate through your entire Being. Its not the
head that prays with sincerity, but your Central
Self. Let your Heart speak.
Cultivate Energy #7 in the midst of daily life
with these NowFact prayers:

A. God help me.

To multiply the amount of help you receive
from this simple request, understand that the me
youre talking about is not a problem-laden entity
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A receptive request is directed to a power

higher than the intellect. This energy can be
developed right in the midst of your daily life. Never
forget that the power of a prayer is never
determined by its length, but by your sincerity.

separated from the whole of life. It is the part of you

that wishes to learn and unfold.
See yourself as someone who wants to
learn. This self-view is accurate and in harmony
with the deepest laws of life. Truths help to who
you really are is instantaneous. I and my Father
are one. ( John 10:30). This means my wish to
learn and my Inner Teacher are one and the same.
Dr. Chapin adds, There will be times when
you will be guided to ask for physical help and
other times your inner voice will tell you, Wait.. Do
not hurry...This will disappear. Guidance comes a
little here and a little there. When you think it is
absent you are mistaken.

B. Truth, please make everything clear to

me.
We need not thrash around and struggle, or
be greedy and grasping toward Truth. It is like the
familiar Taoist illustration of the muddy pond. When
left alone the pond starts to settle and is soon
clear. Anxiously trying to fix a problem is the muddy
pond. Clarity is in the Truth itself, and the more we
enter into Truth the more its clarity enters into us.

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Mr. Howard later added a few words to this

NowFact: God help me, and help me mean it.
These additional five words contain the honest
insight that we often ask for help without really
meaning it.

Dr. Chapin adds, Now do not study too

intensely. The study of reality comes to youyou
do not need to reach for it. You learn by relaxing,
by listening, not by grasping outward. Simply be
still and let God do His work.

C. Heaven, you give me the strength and Ill

give you the credit.

Lets look for a moment at the directive from

the Old Testament, Thou shalt not steal. Theres
a far higher meaning to these words. Its not
necessarily about stealing physical objects. To
steal is to attempt to enclose the Spirit of Life within
a fictitious identity and to claim credit for creating
positive conditions.
Heaven, you give me the strength and Ill
give you the credit places you in harmony with
your Heart so the best can be expressed through
you. This is a master key to a rich and purposefilled life.
A related NowFact: Truth will be (fill in the
blank) for me. For example, Truth will be strength
for me, Truth will be honesty for me, Truth will be
clear-mindedness for me. Place any virtue you
wish to express in the blank space.
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As we let good things happen without taking

personal credit, the energy of the Higher World
increasingly inhabits us. Christ said it so simply and
beautifully, Not my will, but thine be done. (Luke
22:42)

D. More, please, of whatever I need!

Spiritual Intelligence advances by plateaus.
Over and over again you must leave what you think
you know and be a beginner on the next level. Two
years, ten years, twenty years into the spiritual
journey, will you be willing to let the wisdom youve
gathered lift you to an entirely new level of
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Purpose Tip : Virtues flow with the winds; they

are never the isolated property of individual
ships.

understanding? Will you be willing to set aside any

heavy self-pictures of being an advanced student
and be a beginner all over again? This is what the
next plateau requires.
Sometimes the next plateau is preceded by
a whopper. If youre not making some mistakes,
chances are youre living too cautiously.
More, please, of whatever I need! helps
you request what is truly good for younot what
keeps intact the settled self that thinks it knows so
many things. Spiritual Intelligence is oneness with
Life. Oneness has no container. What is valuable
for awakening your Heart are the challenging
experiences that shatter the illusory container.

E. Would this bother the King?

Use this simple request often, like in snarling
traffic or when a little twinge of irritation appears
over the waiter being late with the food. Use it also
for big problems such as relationships, health or
money. Would these things upset Truth? Action
may be required, but would this bother the spiritual
King ? The answer always energizes you!
Sometimes things break apart on this level.
People with whom you socialized or worked

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We cling to what we know in fear of the

unknown. Eventually we learn that the unknown is
a wonderful place to be. It is the doorway to ever
higher lessons. It is our friend and teacher.

together for years are no longer in your life, for

whatever reason. Just know that a new chapter is
before you. The King is not at all concerned.

Look at change from a totally new viewpoint.

You have no self which is apart from the All, and
this All includes change. Therefore, being one with
the All, you are also one with change. Now from
that viewpoint, peer deeply into change. Change
takes place in our age or in human relations. How
does that affect your real nature? In no way. Allnes
is merely adding variety to the way it expresses
itself. Now look even deeper. You cannot be hurt
because you yourself are not apart from the
change, for you are change itself. And listen to this.
Since you are the All, you allow change, you
approve it, you are happy with it.

F. God is all that is real.

The hardest time to remember this is when
great excitement is present over how well things
seem to be going. I recall when I was training a
new sales representative. On his first try he made a
sale and was extremely excited. An alarm went off
in my mind because I knew that if he got this
excited when things went well, he would likely fall
deeply on the other side when things did not go so
well. This is what happened. The next day he didnt
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If I had to choose ten favorite Vernon

Howard quotes, this one from Esoteric
Encyclopedia of Eternal Knowledge would be one
of them:

make a sale after several attempts and fell into

dejection. He quit shortly afterwards.
Your Central Self is like a giant radio station
that never ceases to broadcast its cheerful
messages. This broadcast does not swing like a
pendulum between excitement and depression; it is
tranquil and constant. The next time you are in a
mental spin, when the world is pressing in on you
with either good or bad fortune, take a deep breath
and say in your Heart, God is all that is real.

G. What do I need to remember?

For example, when you have a spare

moment at a red light or while standing in line,
pause and ask yourself, What do I need to
remember? The most amazing and refreshing
insights arrive at the least expected moments. You
dont have to be on a high and isolated mountain
somewhere to receive the highest revelations.
They can arrive while youre walking to the
mailbox!
Purpose Tip : In order to remember, the facts
first had to be inside of you. They are there.
You can remember.

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A dazed and groggy world wants you to

forget the higher facts you know so clearly. But all
you need is a pause, an open space, to attract
back to your awareness the rich and purpose-filled
life you have in fact never lost.

What do I need to remember? activates

your power of listening. The essence of spiritual
growth is to remember. He that hath ears to hear,
let him hear. (Mark 4:9) You have heavenly ears,
not primarily to hear something being told to you by
someone else, but to listen and hear the content of
your souls still small voice. (See 1 Kings 19:12)

Summary of Vital Secret #7

The spirit down here in man and the spirit

up there in the sun, in reality are only one spirit,
and there is no other one. (The Upanishads) I
searched for God and found only myself. I
searched for myself and found only God. (Sufi
proverb)
As your requests grow more focused, a
magnificent transition occurs in which you merge
with the Source of help rather than identifying
yourself with what needs healing. Eventually, even
the self that is seeking enlightenment disappears
in this supreme realization of your rich and
purpose-filled life.

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We can see the value of most religions in

teaching the old-fashioned virtues of cleanliness,
honesty and humility. We can also see how many
religions tend to foster the concept of God outside
of you, apart from you, in a future heaven out
there. As discussed in the Forgiveness section, at
the core of the false self is the illusion of separation
from God.

Either there is one mind and one Spirit, as

the Bible and other sacred books teach, or theres
not. To know your oneness with God is to truly
honor God; it is to dissolve the petty little ego that
has thrashed around for years trying to be its own
god.
Ralph Waldo Emerson declares, All spiritual
being is in man. A wise old proverb says, God
comes to see us without bell, that is, as there is no
screen or ceiling between our heads and the
infinite heavens, so is there no bar or wall in the
soul where man, the effect, ceases, and God, the
cause, begins.

Q&A

A: Lets turn again to that remarkable book

by Mr. Howard Esoteric Encyclopedia of Eternal
Knowledge:
Some of the regions along the Persian Gulf are
among the driest on earth. There are no streams and
rain seldom falls. Human life would be impossible in
some of these areas except for a fortunate occurrence.
One day some swimmers dived deep enough into the sea
to make a startling and delightful discovery. Undersea
springs poured huge quantities of fresh water upwards
towards the surface.
The swimmers obtained goatskin bags, dived
through the layer of salt water and filled their bags with

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Q: Where do I begin?

pure water. The life-giving water became available to

all who knew the secret of the undersea springs.
Your Souls reunion with God/Truth/Reality
is a connection, not a petition. The most sacred
things cannot be taught by human lips.
Q: How can we deepen the intensity of our
requests?
A: Formulate a sincere intention, cherish it
for a moment or two, then let it go to find its way
inwardly to the underground springs. The
meaning of faith is the certainty that your prayer is
heard, that a connection is made and the prayer
finds its way home. Prayers for wisdom, awareness
and honesty, directed to the Heart, are always
answered, even though we may not be fully aware
of the manifestation for some time to come.

A: Watch your inner conditions throughout

the coming day and try to detect rightness,
trueness and goodness as it struggles to break
through the darkness that surrounds and
overwhelms it. You can see it. And the very act of
seeing it a little more clearly each time you look
increases the brilliance of that light while its
struggling to break free. You can cooperate with it
by listening, by observing, by knowing that it is
there. It will eventually free you of all, I said all
suffering and confusion and self-deception so there

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Q: How can we know were working in the

right way? What can we watch for?

will only be the Light, the Goodness, that is in

charge of you.
Purpose Tip: Your task in life is to shift the
center of your life from the mentalthe lower,
to the spiritualthe higher. Your spiritual
Center is permanent happiness.

Heart Hints
1. When you say Truth, please make
everything clear to me, you can magnify the
effectiveness of this request by taking pen and
paper in hand, and letting your True Self write
everything out for you.

3. Difficult experiences are perfect

opportunities to wake up in the middle of the storm
and transform the Heart.
4. Society wants you on a roller coaster of
thrills followed by dejection, so get off by daring to
proclaim God is all that is real when things seem
to be going well. It is then easier to get off when
things do not seem to be going well.
5. Everything you need to remember is
yours already. Only a connection needs to be

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2. When you request, God, you give me the

strength and Ill give you the credit, you open the
door to more assistance than you may presently be
able to handle, but dare to open the door anyway!

made and the request What do I need to

remember? is it.
6. Your Central Self is a geyser of spiritual
nutrition, and NowFacts awaken this vertical flow.
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall
give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall
give him shall be in him a well of water springing up
into everlasting life. ( John 4:14)
7. Listen to your innermost self, the part of
you yearning to be free. Dare to let it have its way.

9. When people think they must travel

somewhere or find a teacher in order to win this
wisdom, they have yet to understand that daily life
is the advanced field of spiritual practice, the
domain where lifes most wonderful lessons bloom
like springtime.
10. Heres a wonderful NowFact to conclude
this discussion on Receptive Request: God, let
your will, your way, be my will, my way.

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8. When you send your requests to the inner

geyser, you are asking truly; you are not asking
amiss (James 4:3). What a relief to end the
frustration of sending your prayers out there
somewhere.

How to Master The Language of Awakening

Once upon a time there was a man who
decided to paint his barn. He went to the local
hardware store to buy 30 gallons of paint.
He returned the next day to buy 30 more.
The day after that he returned and purchased
more. Finally the curiosity of the store owner got
the best of him and he drove out to see what in the
world would need that much paint. He couldnt
believe his eyes. His customer had stacked the
cans of paint around the outside of the barn!

Growth with NowFacts proceeds in three

stages:
A. Planting
B. Persistence
C. Mastery

A. Planting
Success with these principles depends on
having a lack of concern over seeing results. The
anxiety of trying to get somewhere, of trying to be

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In dismay he asked him, May I ask you one

simple question? Have you ever heard of the word
apply?

enlightened, only strengthens the illusion of a

separate self isolated from the whole of life.
Can you plant without concern over results?
Yes. How? By knowing that the spirit behind. The
Language of Awakening does its own planting. It is
the spirit itself employing memorization. It is not a
separate you deciding to hunker down and
memorize. It is a higher form of effort that
harmonizes your wish to learn with the desire of the
universe to unfold itself.
Purpose tip : I can of mine own self do
nothing because I seek not mine own will, but
the will of the Father which hath sent me.

For me to say that an in depth study of The

Language of Awakening is right and necessary for
you would be highly presumptuous. Perhaps it will
be something that happens later. However, if it
does resonate now, if you sense something of
immense value in The Language, then I invite you
to let the Spirit carry it through.
Heres a six-point summary of how to make
the most of The Language of Awakening:
1. Choose two or three NowFacts that have
an especially clear resonance for you. Write them
on a card. Carry this card with you and work with
these statements for a few days. Carry extra cards
to record your insights and connections.

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John 5:30

2. When you feel the time is right, move on

to the next two or three NowFacts. Theres no
schedule or pace you have to match. These are
doorways, not destinations.
3. Keep your collection of cards and
occasionally take a day or two for a review.

5. Develop your own concise statements.

For example, David G. created this powerful
statement to help with Vital Secret #3 (instant
choice): Where is my attention this moment?
David added, This NowFact helps me realize
when my thoughts have drifted to negative areas.
6. NowFacts begin as mental statements,
but they hold so much intensity and power they
dont stop there. Youll increasingly feel them
resonate throughout your Being, whether they are
used silently or audibly.
Rarely before has there been collected in
one place such concise and spiritually effective

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4. Pay close attention to statements that stir

up resistance. For example, Steve J. felt at first that
That is your ______ (fear, regret, worry), not mine
seemed uncaring. He applied it and discovered that
the best way he could really help someone was to
maintain his independence and refuse to
participate in their self-generated anguish. Steve
observed, This allows essence to speak to
essence, which Ive found is the most truly helpful
thing I can give to another.

tools. So read through The Language of

Awakening a time or two, then return for more
focused work. Employ the power of memorization
and youll be amazed how the NowFacts lift you.
Theres no need to rush, but there is a
tremendous need to focus. Let this planting to be
deep and thorough. NowFacts, when applied and
skillfully used (which comes through practice),
generate more energy than reading a thousand
books!

B. Persistence

Picture yourself in a small boat struggling to

get away from a deserted island. The crashing
waves make your departure difficult. Finally, you
make it over the last wave and into the open sea.
Your sail catches its first gust of wind, then the gust
quickly disappears. You paddle until the wind
returns. Further out at sea the wind arrives more
often and stays in your sail for longer periods of
time. You make it to the sea lanes, and an ocean
liner, your Central Self, spots you and picks you up.
Come, you lost atoms, to your Center draw
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Youll need to regain your focus again and

again. Keep going no matter what. Have no fear as
inner storms and upheavals appear; they are
positive signs you are on the right road. False
beliefs must be disturbed in order to be dismissed.
Real spiritual teachings speak openly and plainly
about this stage so youll know what to expect.

And be the eternal mirror you saw;

Rays that have wanderd into Darkness wide
Return and back your sun subside.
Farid ud-Din Attar in the Sufi classic
Conference of the Birds
Persistence is a virtuous power already
present within the Spirit of Life. We express
persistence, we do not create it. While it is a fact
that God/Truth/Reality does all the work, I must
also work to adjust my viewpoint and polish my
receiving mechanism to receive what is present.

C. Mastery
At first memorization requires effort, quite a
bit of it. Its not an easy journey. Just pick things
right back up if you get sidetracked. Return over
and over and over again to this grand task the
Spirit of Life has invited you to. If you do, nothing,
absolutely nothing can block you from uncovering
your rich and purpose-filled life.
Purpose Tip : The wish for the higher life must
be nourished and cultivated, but the fact that
you have the wish guarantees your success.

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My Father worketh hitherto, and I

work. John 5:17

Practice reveals an abundance of energy

inside the NowFacts and it starts to flow. This
energy stirs up more energy. You begin to feel
yourself supported by vast currents of power. No
more life of reluctance. No more holding yourself
back. Its time to step forward and be who you
really are.

The Healing Power of Voice Awareness

Voice awareness creates a great reservoir

of energy in back of your speech. Not only is your
speech more relevant and effective, but it has a
lively and more natural tone as well. This leads to
all kinds of benefits and insights, including instant
recognition when your speech is weak and
wavering.
Listen to yourself talk. Presently, you may
be able to only look back and see what you said.
But the time will come when you can listen to
yourself talk right in the middle of your
conversations. You will feel new and true
excitement as you detect yourself saying dumb
things at the very moment you say them!

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Theres another dimension to The Language

of Awakening: Know you are talking as you are
talking. Have the light of awareness active at the
moment you are speaking. Hear your own voice
with all its subtleties. It is an amazingly effective
barometer of unseen psychological states.

Noticing your speech expands your powers

of thought detection. This is one power active in
two directionsoutwardly to voice and body,
inwardly to thoughts and emotions.

Two More Ways to Enhance Your Practice

2. Discussing your inner work with others is

sometimes not the thing to do, especially when you
are first embarking on a new practice. At this early
stage, as powerful insights are coming together,
talking about your experiences can lead to a
dissipation of energy. The effect may not be seen,
however, until a few weeks later when you find
your focus has slipped. So at the start, practice The
Language of Awakening in secret. Later, sharing
your insights in wise and appropriate settings can
be nourishing. But let the seeds sprout first.

Feel free to with your

[Link]

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1. Before falling asleep at night take a few

minutes to scan your day. Recall your experiences
with NowFacts. When were you more aware?
When were you unaware and preoccupied? What
missteps were made and how quickly did you
recover? What principle or realization touched your
emotions today? These insights are priceless. This
exercise connects up all your learning and helps
you sleep more restfully.