However, as a mental concept for change, hope holds very little power. It doesn't inspire enthusiasm or action. If a client tells me that they "hope hypnosis works," they aren't going to have much success. They aren't committed to do whatever it takes to improve, and their subconscious knows that.

The dictionary defines hope as "a desire accompanied with some confident expectation." Hope is the first step toward recognizing that there is a possibility of improvement, but a person who does nothing but hope will probably not realize their desire. In that case, it's little more than a wish. They're expecting some fairy godmother to arrive, wave a magic wand and grant their desire.

Ernest Holmes in "The Science of Mind" described hope as a "subtle illusion." It can convince a person that they're helpless, with the misconception that they have no power to move towards their goal. Although there may be some "confident expectation," there's no conviction of success in the term.

In daily speech, we use the term "hope" a lot. The subconscious hears every word we say, along with the emotional impact. To manifest change in our lives, we need to be careful of what we say so that the inner mind gets the right ideas. So what term can we use that's more powerful and gains the attention of the subconscious? A friend of mine was meditating on this and was inspired with the word "trust." Her guidance said "'Hope' implies failure, while 'trust' affirms success." Consider the difference in how the two words feel. "I hope that my finances will improve" versus "I trust that my finances will improve." Trust implies belief which then implies faith. These three aspects are filled with much more authority.

Although the dictionary uses the term "hope" as one definition of "trust," it also says "to be confident," "to expect with assurance," and "to rely on." All of these ideas express much more dynamic power than "hope." When a person trusts, they're engaging their energy and focus in a positive direction. The receptive subconscious absorbs that and responds accordingly.

Answer: One reason the negative ideas may be surfacing is that your positive statements are flushing them out of their hidey-hole. As you put more positive in, the negative rises to the surface to be acknowledged before it can be released. But if they're sticking around, something else is probably going on. Sometimes the old, negative thought patterns resist our changing them, and the more we affirm positive, the more they clamor. Generally, it's because they feel like they need to be there for to protect you. You accepted them at a time when they were necessary (or so you thought), but they aren't helpful any more. Sometimes, I'll use an affirmation such as "I have outgrown old, outdated negative thought patterns that were implanted when I was much younger. My subconscious now recognizes that I no longer need or want them in that form, and releases them."

Whatever you use, you need to understand that they'll be there until you realize that they aren't necessary any more. Sometimes it can feel safe to stay in the old (uncomfortable) rut, because its familiar. Or feelings of anger, hurt, fear or guilt can hang onto them. In that case, you need to address those feelings. Just don't resist the negative words, that gives them more power. Acknowledge that you recognize that they've been there, but you don't need them any more. You might be surprised what surfaces when you do this.

I read this book many years ago, and was intrigued. It tells the story of a French woman who was a Buddhist, and who traveled and lived in Tibet for several years in the early part of the last century. She encountered many monks, lamas, yogis and shamans during her stay, witnessed "psychic" phenomena and was told about many more. She had the opportunity to ask eminent mystics about their opinions on death and reincarnation. Drawing on what she learned, Mrs. David-Neel explains many details about Tibetan Buddhism that western civilization hasn't had exposure to before. In addition to various spiritual trainings, she describes some of the exercises of the hermits who increase their body temperature to the point that they melt the snow around them.

The reader will enjoy a first hand look at the way the Tibetans and holy men lived almost a hundred years ago. I recommend this book highly for anyone interested in Tibet, Tibetan Buddhism or the other spiritual practices of that land.

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