For example, a smoker's conscious mind has programmed their subconscious for years by saying, "I can't quit." Therefore every time the smoker contemplates quitting the habit, the subconscious whispers to the conscious mind, "I can't quit." The conscious mind accepts it, parrots it, which just tells the subconscious, "Yep. I agree. I cannot stop this habit. Therefore, there's no reason to even attempt it." Then, when the smoker finally decides to quit, the subconscious, with all the reinforcement its gotten over the years, makes it difficult, because it's just following the original instructions. The conscious mind has made a different choice, but still hears and repeats, "This is so hard."

Once the subconscious has been programmed by the conscious mind, the whole process becomes a feedback loop. There's an old saying about computers, "Garbage in, garbage out." And around and around it goes. Wayne Dyer in "Your Erroneous Zones" called it the "I'm circle." We have a particular belief, believe in that belief (whether it's true or not), act from that belief, reinforcing it, which just brings us back to the beginning.

We can intervene and break the loop, but it takes awareness and persistence. And only the conscious mind can break it. The conscious mind can be reprogrammed by using its power of choice. It can choose what to focus on. The subconscious mind does not have that power. The subconscious is subject to the conscious mind's decisions and has the ability to figure out how to make those decisions real.

This is why changing one's beliefs can be so challenging. The subconscious repeats to us what we've told it to and we now have to convince it that we're choosing to think differently. Suppose a person was told that they were "Stupid" as a child. That programmed the subconscious. Now, whenever they do something that's not perfect, the subconscious murmurs, "Stupid." The unaware or distracted conscious mind falls into the trap, and repeats, "I'm so stupid," which communicates to the subconscious that the conscious still agrees with that judgement. That gives the subconscious directions to continue to criticize.

However, suppose the person catches the statement and challenges it with the more realistic, "No, I'm not stupid. That just wasn't my best work. I can do better, and will." That lets the subconscious mind know that a different decision has been made. The person needs to dispute the negative statements with something positive every time they put themselves down. This reprograms the subconscious to be more supportive and repeat the new positive assessment.

Answer: A mantra is a word, phrase or sound that's repeated during meditation to help a person focus their mind, and take their attention away from the outer world or their extraneous thoughts. How long you say it varies from spiritual system to system. Some state you should say it for as long as you're meditating, some state you repeat it until your mind is calm and serene, open to the Universe. If you're using an affirmation as a mantra, I'd recommend that you repeat it to yourself until you feel it resonate with truth within you. If you're saying an affirmation out loud, it's recommended that you repeat it for at least 15 minutes a day. But while doing so, concentrate on its meaning and on feeling its truth. The feeling connects it to the subconscious.

What with the popularity of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ" in the U.S., I decided to review a book that takes a metaphysical perspective on one of Jesus' most well known messages. This author's books made a huge impact on me when I began to seriously study metaphysics almost thirty years ago. This book was one of those that really affected me and my understanding of mental principles. Mr. Fox states that Jesus' message was to teach mental states, not theology.

Cautioning against taking Jesus' message literally, the author explains how Jesus taught through parables. The Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Lord's Prayer are directions on how to think rightly, how to manifest, and how to achieve a greater spiritual understanding. He dissects each phrase to explain it more thoroughly from a metaphysical perspective.

Many of the phrases that have been twisted or that many find confusing are very practically explained and now make sense. Karma is discussed, as are many metaphysical laws. This book's original subtitle was "A general introduction to Scientific Christianity in the form of a spiritual key to Matthew V, VI and VII." For anyone raised with the orthodox view of Jesus' message, the information in this book is revolutionary and a revelation.

To read more about it, click on the book image to the left.