Continental Who's Who

Allowing What’s NOT WORKING to be Fixed with EASE and GRACE By Dr. Janet Smith Warfield

What is a consciousness shift?

Scientists might notice it as a sudden change in results when they focus their intention and attention on a newly designed experiment. Mystics might describe it as a sudden integration and infusion of deep meaning into words that previously made no sense. Others might simply call it an “aha” moment. Here’s an exercise that allows anyone to experience a consciousness shift. Look at the optical illusion on the right.

What do you see? Curved shapes? Wavy lines? The color black? The color white?

A chin, nose, eye, ear, or face? If you see a face, is it ugly or beautiful? Just notice the words that flow into your mind as you look at the image in front of you. You may want to write them down as they float into your awareness.

If the word “ugly” comes to mind, what do you feel?

Most people feel repulsed, nauseated, or disgusted.

If the word “beautiful” comes to mind, what do you feel?Most people feel charmed, attracted, and curious. Look at the image again. If what you see suddenly changes from an ugly old hag to a beautiful young woman, or vice versa, that’s a consciousness shift. Notice that nothing “out there” changes. The only thing that changes is what you mind does with what is “out there.”

When you are able to see both the old hag and the young woman, you have a choice. Which do you want to see? Which makes you feel better?

 Optical illusions are simple examples of consciousness shifts. The consciousness shifts mystics speak about are much more dramatic, profound, and meaningful. Suddenly, everything becomes clear. The mystic’s mind suddenly puts together what was previously experienced as fragmented puzzle pieces. It integrates what was previously separated. These life-transforming consciousness shifts have the power to fix, with ease and grace, things that aren’t working in our lives. A person who experiences an awakening or dramatic consciousness shift becomes aware in every moment. She is free to choose what she focuses on, the words she uses to describe what she sees, and the actions she will or won’t take. Suddenly, she is empowered. Religious teachings, spiritual practices, the study of philosophy or psychology, and relationships with other people can sometimes point us toward these experiences. Ultimately, the deeper shifts happen only when we allow ourselves to surrender our learned beliefs and open up to receiving unexpected insights that protect and direct us into wise, win/win conduct. Our literature is full of words trying to communicate these experiences. In religious literature, they are referred to as salvation, enlightenment, Samadhi, awakening, awareness, grace. In psychology, they are referred to as insights. In philosophy, they lead to discussions about metaphysics. When we try to talk or write about these experiences and share the distinctions between “before” and “after,” our vocabulary fails us. The vocabulary we’ve been taught for communicating about the physical “objective” world “out there” just doesn’t work when nothing in the physical world has changed. This is why these experiences are called “ineffable” and why they are considered timeless and spaceless. They happen in an instant. Both we and our world are suddenly transformed. Look for opportunities to shift your usual way of perceiving things. Look for new words to apply to what you see. Stay open to new actions you can take. Then notice what happens. You can hold on to things you were taught as a child or look for new ways of seeing, feeling, and acting that just might improve your health, your wealth, your relationships, and your happiness. Here is another simple optical illusion for enhancing your awareness of how you perceive “what is” and what you can do with it.

Do you see the glass below as half full or half empty?

Just notice the thoughts that come into your mind.

Are you focusing on the top half of the glass and the water that’s not there?

If so, you may be feeling you don’t have enough.

Are you focusing on the bottom half of the glass — the water that is there?

If so, you are probably feeling that you do have enough. You may even feel grateful. Now, take the next step and envision what might be possible — a glass of water that is full to overflowing. Now, you’re shifting into abundance thinking.

How can you bring more abundance into your life? Can you bring abundance, not only into your own life, but into the lives of family and friends? Can you allow your vision to expand even further until you can envision a full and overflowing glass of water that quenches the thirst of every person on the planet?

When you let your vision fully expand, you step into your full creative power to manifest what you envision. You step through your fear, into your courage, and do it. If you don’t, who will? You can read more about some of my own early consciousness-shifting experiences in my book Shift: Change Your Words, Change Your World, bit.ly/1KTyEFV, or on my website, bit.ly/1FOkRhT. For media interviews, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.