How to change obsessive, deeply ingrained negative beliefs?

Hi there,

I've been struggling with affirmations in some fundamental ways.
I want to affirm positive, empowering beliefs, but I have some very reactive, fear based attitudes that come up when things aren't going well.

For example, I've been having problems with my car for 2 years, and stuff just keeps happening. I don't want to go through the hassle of buying an new one, and can't afford the monthly payment (another disempowering affirmation?), and so I'm using the car as an experiment in affirmations. The thing is, how do change my beliefs surrounding the reliability of my car when deep down I believe it will keep breaking down or costing me money in repairs because that is what has been happening for so long? It really has been one problem to the next, with a new one popping up as soon as I fix the last one.

It is grinding on my soul to keep struggling with such silly things, and I want to figure out how to truly change my attitudes when everything points toward more problems, more struggles.

Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated!

<3

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Starshade

Hi there,

I've been struggling with affirmations in some fundamental ways.
I want to affirm positive, empowering beliefs, but I have some very reactive, fear based attitudes that come up when things aren't going well.

For example, I've been having problems with my car for 2 years, and stuff just keeps happening. I don't want to go through the hassle of buying an new one, and can't afford the monthly payment (another disempowering affirmation?), and so I'm using the car as an experiment in affirmations. The thing is, how do change my beliefs surrounding the reliability of my car when deep down I believe it will keep breaking down or costing me money in repairs because that is what has been happening for so long? It really has been one problem to the next, with a new one popping up as soon as I fix the last one.

It is grinding on my soul to keep struggling with such silly things, and I want to figure out how to truly change my attitudes when everything points toward more problems, more struggles.

Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated!

<3

There comes a time when the cost of maintaining a car becomes greater than the cost of repayments.

[CrystalSong]

May I suggest utubing Abraham Hicks? Awesome advice on manifesting.

I could tell you the car is only mirroring your beliefs and breaking down because you believe it will, but that's not very helpful. Abraham Hicks explains the step by step of how we manifest things that aren't as we want them (breaking down cars) and explain how to manifest the things we do want. I can't type enough to make it all makes sense.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by CrystalSong

May I suggest utubing Abraham Hicks? Awesome advice on manifesting.

I could tell you the car is only mirroring your beliefs and breaking down because you believe it will, but that's not very helpful. Abraham Hicks explains the step by step of how we manifest things that aren't as we want them (breaking down cars) and explain how to manifest the things we do want. I can't type enough to make it all makes sense.

Maybe the car is old and worn out.

[12meadows]

I know that this probably doesn't sound very helpful, but maybe it broke down because you weren't supposed to be somewhere. Don't loose faith. It sounds to me your continual problems with it have caused you to start looking at things like LOA, and trying to focus your energy. While a broken car sucks, it looks like it is forcing change- which is good. :)

Originally Posted by 12meadows

I know that this probably doesn't sound very helpful, but maybe it breaks down because you weren't supposed to be somewhere. Don't loose faith. It sounds to me your continual problems with it have caused you to start looking at things like LOA, and trying to focus your energy. While a broken car sucks, it looks like it is forcing change- which is good. :)

That's the way I look at it, too.
And as always, true to the saying I've highlighted above,
when it's all good for nothing at the end of a trip
or just simply something I'm trying to do -
things goes wrong for me to begin with.

But definitely, a positive attitude makes any day a better day - regardless of how everything is turning out.
That isn't much for words, but my attitude is always start in simplicity.

Another thing I'd suggest to keep in mind is try and see what you can do yourself with the maintenance of your car - it sure helps to know and get a good idea what's going on and going wrong with it. Look at e-how and DIY maintenance for the model of your car as well as study it's manual.

That will also save you a bit of money. Just make sure you do it right.

[guthrio]

Please bear with the length of my answer to your excellent question.

You do NOT need to change obsessive, deeply ingrained negative beliefs...AT ALL ! Why ?

Because trying to change obsessive, deeply ingrained negative beliefs is like wasting time and effort trying to MAKE 2+2=5...

....instead of recognizing and applying the immutable Truth that 2+2 will always be, has always been, and always is...4.

There's no need to try to change what can NEVER be true. You only need to apply what ALWAYS IS true.

It's really as simple as 2+2=4. How ? Think about it.

2+2=4, whether you sum the equation correctly or not !!

Don't believe me? Try MAKING 2+2=5. It doesn't work does it? We cannot even MAKE 2+2=4, either. WHY ??

Because neither Truth nor Perfection can change or BE changed !

We are absolutely free to choose to believe that 2+2=5 for as long as we want. We may (or may not) recognize that we have MADE A MISTAKE, in perception or conduct, certainly. Regardless, the consequences of INCORRECTLY applying the PERFECT principles governing this mathematics equation are inescapable....but correctable. It is only when the correct perception IS CORRECTLY APPLIED, that the resultant "answer" enables us to declare the truth of that experience to ourselves. The consequences of CORRECTLY applying the principles of mathematics (or those governing our own Being) are ALSO inescapable, to our eternal good.

THIS is the operative principle behind "Ye shall reap what you sow".....for good or ill.

As a matter of Truth, the ONLY way you'd know if you have made a mistake in perception or operation is BECAUSE the principles of Life operate perfectly, without the slightest deviation, variation, or attenuation at ANY time or in ANY place for ANYBODY! Otherwise, you would not know what electricity perfectly does FOR you when you utilize it correctly. Or you wouldn't know what electricity perfectly does TO you when operated incorrectly, either.

If you consider this carefully, what is referred to as, goodness including love, patience, kindness, self-control, faithfulness and gentleness", is analogous to what the immutable principle of electricity does FOR you when operated consistent with its purpose. Conversely, what is referred to as "The acts of our brokenness, hatred, discord, sexual immorality, dissensions, greed, laziness, hatred, jealousy, fits of rage, drunkenness, envy, selfish ambition and the like....." are analogous to what the immutable principle of electricity does TO you when it is operated incorrectly, and is....

.....the perfect, unavoidable consequence of having chosen to perceive and act AS IF the immutable Principles by which we were created could be used inconsistently with their perfect, original purpose.

This is about G I G O.....

Garbage in, garbage out....perfectly !!

Perfect input, perfect output....perfectly !!

NOT BECAUSE there is inherent EVIL in US!

NOT BECAUSE there is inherent EVIL in God's Creation.

NOT BECAUSE we are flawed or "born in sin and full of sin".

It is because the infinite SYSTEM of which we are an inseparable part operates flawlessly and impartially....created by the same Source Who created perfect principles of Life, such as mathematics which operate undeviatingly to create ONLY 4 as the answer to 2+2.

The gift in BEING FREE to make mistakes (in other words, to be wrong) is precisely so that you can LEARN HOW TO CORRECT THEM....not in being penalized (hell) for making mistakes. This is how we learn to manifest 4 by adding 2 plus 2, and by recognizing that 4 is the correct solution in EVERY instance.

When you realize that you have made a mistake in a mathematical operation, you correct the mistake, right?

We are no more obligated to beat ourselves up for making mistakes than we are required to keep making the same mistake over and over again. After the mistake is corrected and the answer is revealed, we must acknowledge to ourselves that this is so and then, go on to the next problem in our perception that needs correction.

Moreover, we are no more required to keep making the same mistake (sin) over and over again than we are obligated to REMAIN unaware of the correct answer (the Truth about ourselves) for ever and ever !!

We can choose to believe that 2+2=5 for eternity until we have acquired FOR OURSELVES the necessary knowledge of the immutable principle that correctly sums the answer. But understand: even AFTER we have acquired the correct knowledge, using it INCORRECTLY will not change the correct answer (Truth !) one whit !

Why ? I think you NOW know the reason why, don't you ?

Please understand that I am only using this mathematical example as a metaphor for THAT which is not only real, but is also true, and which ALSO cannot change.

Truth CANNOT change. ONLY our perception and APPLICATION of it can.....change or be changed.

As author Baird Spalding says in the reference, ”Becoming aware of yourself as a spiritual being, offspring of an infinite spiritual system and one with all the powers and capacities within that system, is the very essence of attainment. To grow from the present state of awareness of himself as a material being and into the consciousness that he is a spiritual being contains the full secret of man's attainment.' Man's nature cannot be reversed for he always remains a spiritual being. He can only reverse his notion of himself. Instead of doing this, he should reverse his mistaken idea that he is a material being and retain the truth that he is a spiritual being created in the image and likeness of God."

WE ARE PERFECT EVEN AS OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT......

.....because the Creator created US and ALL the principles of Life out of His Own perfect, Divine pattern.

......whether you know that this is so, whether you do not believe this is so, or whether you are ignorant that this is so.

….and as also indicated in the reference, "Perfection does not come from projecting our own ideas but from awakening to the knowledge that it is already the established order of things."

That is the lesson we can learn from Adam and Eve….

I AM THAT I AM AND BESIDE ME THERE IS NO OTHER.

2+2=4 and beside 4 there is no other answer.

Perfection, Itself created US perfectly.....though most of us have yet to appreciate the awesome majesty of our created state. But we are learning.....

Our Creator did not create human beings as Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Catholics, saved, unsaved, believers, infidels, "untouchable" dalits, light-skinned, dark-skinned, or any religious faiths we associate with these or any other names (whether I've named them here or not!). We are Who the Creator is in Spirit....not subservient adherents to whatever religion or philosophy we profess to include ourselves or exclude one another from or fight over. These names, believed and acted upon as if relevant, only serve to hide the FACT that the Creator made ALL OF US of His Spirit and AS His Image.

Our Father also created Jesus just as He created us...the exact Spirit and Likeness of Himself. Jesus' message and reason for coming to this earthly dimension was to show us, in as stark, as uncompromising, and as definitive a manner as possible, that we are as He is, which is as our Creator endowed us all to be, and that is as immortal, Spiritual beings who are the Spirit and Image of our Creator. We are NOT physical beings. We are Spiritual Beings like He is! Believing or acting as if we are physical, dying, imperfect Beings instead of the perfect, immortal, Spiritual beings we were created to be, and ARE....is like erroneously accepting that 2+2 CAN be 4 and also 5.

There is an inescapable consequence to this perception, which is, simply, that you remain in error (in ignorance) of the truth, until you realize it AND act accordingly with it. As soon as we correct the error, that act ERASES the effect of the ignorance immediately so that we SEE and EXPERIENCE for ourselves the FACT which has been perfectly and ALWAYS true even BEFORE we were aware of our error. We see that the correct answer NEVER CHANGED AT ALL......nor, in all Reality, have we! Do you see?

Is it not obvious that whether you KNOW or DO NOT KNOW that you are in error, and continue to proceed erroneously, anyway, that the correct answer (Truth) is not in the slightest bit affected?

A lie (false perception) believed CAN NEVER be the Truth !! Ask Adam and Eve if a false perception believed could ever be the Truth.

But the ADVERSE EFFECT upon your perception of Truth remains, doesn't it? The correct answer CAN NEVER come out of erroneous perception or operation.

ONLY CORRECTING THE ERROR IN PERCEPTION AND APPLICATION CAN DO THIS !!

G I G O.....perfectly !!

Ignorance of the unchangeable Truth of ourselves (that we are perfectly created) is the cause of sin, PRECISELY like ignorance of the perfect operation of a mathematical equation ALWAYS and INVARIABLY produces incorrect results. The solution can only be experienced when we recognize AND apply the Truth to ourselves or to the equation.

And the CORRECT APPLICATION of the unchangeable Truth of ourselves (that we are perfectly created) results in a LIFE LIVED ABUNDANTLY...PRECISELY like the correct application of the perfect operation of a mathematical equation ALWAYS and INVARIABLY produces CORRECT results. The solution can only be experienced when we recognize AND apply the Truth to ourselves (just as in an equation).

We do NOT need to change obsessive, deeply ingrained negative beliefs.

We only need to change our focus to the perfection that ALREADY, ALWAYS is.

Experiencing our perfection is ALWAYS....perfectly what we CHOOSE...whether out of ignorance....or out of correct understanding.

Can there be ANYTHING more obvious than that we are best served when we work with the UN-changing Truth of our Being, not with EVER-changing beliefs about who we think we are?

I'd say that's a pretty good way to learn about the wonder of our Selves and especially about the Giver of such a gift as the capability to make mistakes. Through such a gift, you realize how serious our Creator is to have us freely discover the Absolute Truth about ourselves, FOR ourselves....Don't you ?

"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
- Dr Wayne Dyer

Do you see ?

THAT is the G I F T...

Hope this helps....

Source: Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East Volumes 1 - 6 by Baird T. Spalding...

Hi Starshade

You've already been given some good suggestions but one thing that occurred to me was perhaps to consider changing your attitude towards it? I know that might be difficult, but as the law of attraction is supposed to 'begin and end with gratitude' perhaps you could try to adopt some gratitude for this situation giving you an opportunity (as 12meadows already said) to practise LOA? It might take a little practise :) After all, even though I'm sure it's a nuisance, things could be a lot worse!!

I'm stuck in the same negative thought cycle. I'm trying to turn my attention to positive affirmations but then the negative ones kick right back in. It's really tough but keep at it. I will, I believe right now that what we send out comes back to us so if you send out negative thoughts you'll attract those things to happen so lets try to send out positive thoughts.

[DavidGreene]

Perhaps this quote from Creating Money may speak to you:

"By knowing the essence of what you want, you make it possible to get it in many ways. For example, if the essence of what you want from a new car is more reliable transportation, you might be able to find many ways to create that besides buying a new car. If you don't know the essence of what you want, you may buy a new car that is just as unreliable as the one you have.

One woman wanted a new car because the car she had was unreliable, and she was concerned about driving places at night. She didn't dislike her car, or want to spend money on a new one, but she thought the only way to have a reliable car was to get a new one. She got quiet and visualized a car, and magnetized its essence--reliability--to her. Coincidentally her old car stopped having problems! She got a new car several years later, and it was very reliable also. The essence of her request came to her quickly, although not in the way she imagined."

--From Creating Money by Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer.

I realize this doesn't speak to your question about how to escape the negative thought cycle, but perhaps focusing on essence (reliable transportation in this case) may produce results more quickly.

Thought of your post when I read this passage in the book. Good luck.