A Mind of Your Own

COPYRIGHT

HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd.

1 London Bridge Street

London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk

Published by HarperCollinsPublishers 1998

Copyright © Betty Shine 1998

Betty Shine asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

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Source ISBN: 9780006530190

Ebook Edition © SEPTEMBER 2016 ISBN: 9780008219468

Version: 2016-09-21

A good book is the precious life-blood

of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up

on purpose to a life beyond.

JOHN MILTON

1608–1674

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to the memory

of my dear friend

MICHAEL BENTINE

From quiet homes and first beginning,

Out to the undiscovered ends,

There’s nothing worth the wear of winning,

But laughter and the love of friends.

HILAIRE BELLOC

1870–1953

CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Introduction

1. Abuse

2. Accidents

3. Addiction

4. Ageing

5. Aggression

6. Anger

7. Anxiety

8. Bitterness

9. Blessings

10. Books

11. Burdens

12. Career

13. Carefree

14. Carers

15. Caressing

16. Chain letter

17. Character

18. Charisma

19. Charity

20. Chatting

21. Cheating

22. Cheerfulness

23. Christmas

24. Clairaudience

25. Clairsentience

26. Clairvoyance

27. Class

28. Colour

29. Comedy

30. Communication

31. Complaining

32. Conceit

33. Concentration

34. Confession

35. Conscience

36. Conversation

37. Criticism

38. Crying

39. Cults

40. Danger

41. Death

42. Destiny

43. Destructiveness

44. Detachment

45. Determination

46. Devil

47. Discipline

48. Discontent

49. Discretion

50. Dishonesty

51. Divorce

52. Ego

53. Embarrassment

54. Emotion

55. Encouragement

56. Energy

57. Entertaining

58. Envy

59. Excess

60. Expectations

61. Extra-sensory perception

62. Faith

63. Fame

64. Familiarity

65. Fatigue

66. Favouritism

67. Fear

68. Forgiveness

69. Fun

70. Gifts

71. Giving

72. Gratitude

73. Greed

74. Grief

75. Grievance

76. Guidance

77. Guilt

78. Halo

79. Harmony

80. Hate

81. Heartbreak

82. Heaven & Hell

83. Humour

84. Hygiene

85. Ignorance

86. Impulsiveness

87. Inactivity

88. Incompatibility

89. Irritability

90. Inspiration

91. Judgement

92. Kindness

93. Knowledge

94. Laughter

95. Laziness

96. Leisure

97. Lethargy

98. Love

99. Magic

100. Malice

101. Materialism

102. Meditation

103. Mediums

104. Memories

105. Mind

106. Miracles

107. Mysticism

108. Nightmares

109. Noise

110. Opportunism

111. Opportunities

112. Peace

113. Pessimism

114. Pettiness

115. Phenomena

116. Phobias

117. Positivity

118. Possession

119. Possessiveness

120. Potential

121. Public speaking

122. Predictions

123. Pride

124. Principles

125. Priorities

126. Privacy

127. Quarrels

128. Reincarnation

129. Rejection

130. Reputation

131. Retirement

132. Runes

133. Sacrifices

134. Sarcasm

135. Screaming

136. Self

137. Self-esteem

138. Self-importance

139. Self-indulgence

140. Self-pity

141. Sensationalism

142. Sensitivity

143. Sexual harassment

144. Shouting

145. Showers

146. Shrine

147. Sign of the Cross

148. Silence

149. Simplification

150. Sincerity

151. Singing

152. Sittings

153. Sobbing

154. Solitude

155. Soul

156. Spirits

157. Spirituality

158. Spite

159. Stability

160. Stealing

161. Supernatural

162. Superstition

163. Survival

164. Symbolism

165. Sympathy

166. Tears

167. Teasing

168. Temper

169. Temperament

170. Thought

171. Threats

172. Tolerance

173. Touch

174. Tradition

175. Tragedy

176. Trance

177. Transfiguration

178. Trouble

179. Truth

180. Universe

181. Unlucky

182. Unreasonable

183. Vibrations

184. Vocabulary

185. Voice

186. Vulgarity

187. Walking

188. Warfare

189. Water divining

190. Weak-willed

191. Wealth

192. Witches

193. Work

194. World

195. Writing

196. Xenoglossia

197. Yarns

198. Yearning

199. Yoga

200. Youth

201. Zest

Keep Reading

Index

Postscript

Other Books By

About the Publisher

Introduction

Every quotation contributes something to the stability or enlargement of the language.

SAMUEL JOHNSON

1709–1784

THIS BOOK is an A–Z of experiences. Its aim is to help people with various aspects of their lives, to strengthen character and balance temperament. It can be dipped into again and again, whenever the appropriate help is needed. But the magic of this book will only be revealed when you have read every word.

Each word opens with a classic quotation to demonstrate that, although the world changes around us, human beings never change. We experience thoughts and emotions the same as people did centuries ago, and we still have the same problems. You may find that the quotation alone carries the age-old wisdom you seek.

Following a short insight from me, each key word also has a visualisation and an affirmation. The visualisation is short so that you can ‘live’ it as you read it. It is a trigger for the imagination and the self-healing process. See it in your mind, picture it from beginning to end, and you will find where the main problem lies. Then you can make the right decisions and change your life. If a particular visualisation does not in any way apply to your circumstances, you can modify it or create your own – that is why I have called the book A Mind of Your Own.

Many people believe that they cannot visualise, but if you ask them to remember a person or place that has been special to them, the pictures and feelings flow. Remember, the blockage is within you. Take your key and unlock the doors of your mind – you will be amazed at what you find.

Finally, you will find an affirmation at the end of each word to take with you when you close the book. It is the key to the rest of your life.

This is a book of life. In it you will find every emotion. You will laugh, you will cry, but you will never be bored. Enjoy!

Betty Shine

1

Abuse

Whatever you do, stamp out abuses, and love those who love you.

VOLTAIRE

1694–1778

NO ONE SHOULD have to tolerate abuse of any kind, and there can be no excuse for this abominable practice.

Mental or physical abuse to any living thing should never go unchallenged or unreported. Never condone this behaviour.

Visualisation: You become aware that your best friend is continually abusing his girlfriend. When you confront him with it he excuses himself by explaining that, although he loves her, she irritates him. You try to reason with him, but to no avail. Are you going to stand by or give him an ultimatum?

Either he treats his girlfriend with respect, or he loses your friendship. It’s a tough decision but you follow through, because you know that you do not want to have these bad feelings in your life. Even a bystander can take action.

Affirmation: There is no excuse for abuse.

2

Accidents

Now and then there is a person born who is so unlucky that he runs into accidents which started out to happen to somebody else.

DON MARQUIS

1878–1937

HAVING READ THE QUOTATION OPPOSITE you may find yourself thinking that you are that person. Think again. Through healing, I have found that the majority of accidents occur when people are under stress. If, as you read this, an accident has already taken place, then you are probably dealing with it at this moment. Your immediate reaction will also be that you do not want it to happen again, because the other problem you are having to deal with is shock.

My ability to see the energy system clairvoyantly has enabled me to study the tremors that occur within the body after an accident. You have probably experienced these tremors yourself, when you have dropped and smashed a piece of china and found that your hands are trembling as you pick up the pieces. What can you do about it?

Prevention is always better than cure. First of all, think before you act. A minute of your time could save a life. The pace of life is getting faster, and to counteract this you must steal a few moments before you act, so that you can have a little prime time for the rest of your life. Not only will you live longer, but the quality of your life will be greater.

Visualisation: You are running across a meadow of wild flowers – in SLOW MOTION. The slower you run, the more exhilarated you feel. Feel the fantastic lift as you put your life into perspective. Some things can wait.

When you avoid accidents, there is always another day.

Affirmation: A moment’s thought could save a life.

3

Addiction

In a consumer society there are inevitably two kinds of slaves: prisoners of addiction and the prisoners of envy.

IVAN ILLICH

1926–

WHENEVER ADDICTION IS MENTIONED, it is immediately assumed that the problem is drugs. Most of the time it is not. Nearly everyone, at some time in their lives, becomes addicted to something. It can be alcohol, tobacco, television, sports – one only has to think about football to realise how the power of addiction can take over your life. Chocaholics too certainly know all about addiction! Sugar is addictive in all its forms, and parents – with the best of intentions – start their children off on this road by giving them sweets for good behaviour or simply to keep them quiet. I have known people who have become addicted to vinegar, to the inhalation of substances like furniture polish, shoe polish, air fresheners and petrol. In fact you can become addicted to just about anything. This is the real danger. Most of the time you will be unaware that it is happening to you.

Obviously, there are real dangers in any kind of addiction. To overcome the ordinary everyday addictions, try using the following exercise twice a day.

Visualisation: You walk into a small peaceful room, where you see a comfortable armchair; sitting in the chair, you become aware of a warm, comfortable glow as shafts of sunlight steal through the blinds.

You have an overwhelming longing for your addiction. No matter what you do, this longing will not go away. You must now say three words: ‘Please help me.’ You will immediately feel light and relaxed because you have, at last, realised that you have a problem. This is your first step to recovery.

For the first time you notice a table in front of you. On it is the cause of your addiction. Next to it is a small box, in the centre of which is a button. This is your life-line – when you feel desperate, you can press this button and it will switch off the addictive urge. You now have a choice. It doesn’t matter which choice you make the first time. But if you make the wrong choice every time, then you need professional help.

It is amazing how the power of the mind can, eventually, help you to make the right choice. It will show you clearly how strong or weak you are, and then the guilt factor will take over. NEVER GIVE UP. YOU CAN DO IT.

Affirmation: Addiction is an affliction.

4

Ageing

Youth, which is forgiven everything, forgives itself nothing: age, which forgives itself anything, is forgiven nothing.

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

1856–1950

PHYSICAL AGEING IS INEVITABLE and you cannot escape it, in spite of the beckoning fingers of advertising which promise everlasting youth. Beware!

There is a route that you can take to looking and feeling better, however, that costs nothing. By stimulating the energy counterpart of your physical body and strengthening your mind with visualisation, you can bring about a transformation. Your body will be the same, but it will glow with health. There will be a sparkle in your eyes as the power of your mind renews your enthusiasm for living. When this happens people do not see an ageing body, but are captured by the incredible essence that pervades everything around you. Friends will appear, as if by magic, because whatever it is that you have, they want it. I have seen very old, very beautiful people who know the secret. I am giving it to you.

Visualisation: Every night, before you retire, sit on the side of the bed and close your eyes. You will see a blue door. Turn the key and open it. Walk through the door and gently close it behind you.

You will immediately find yourself walking beside a shallow stream. Follow the stream until you see a fountain ahead of you. Standing beside the fountain, you watch as lacy cascades of water fill shallow bowls dotted around the outside ledge. Take one of the bowls and drink the contents. Gradually, you will feel the whole of your body and mind being rejuvenated. Aches and pains will disappear. Feeling light and lithe, you are able to move without restriction. You will feel weightless, as your mind – free of the burdens you have carried around for so long – revels in the freedom of movement, and you experience levitation of the spirit for the first time in your life. When you feel that it is time to return, open your eyes.

In time you will realise that you do not want to carry around the accumulated mental rubbish of a lifetime, and will discard it. Then you will know that it has been worth the effort.

Affirmation: I feel young. I am young.

5

Aggression

As we jog on, either laugh with me, or at me, or in short do anything, – only keep your temper.

LAURENCE STERNE

1713–1768

WHEN YOU ARE FACED with aggressive behaviour, back down and try to remain calm. It can be a very frightening experience. I have seen calm personalities explode and become aggressive when they have been pushed by unwarranted behaviour in others. Everyone has the capacity for becoming aggressive – it is there within us all, because we need to defend ourselves when physically attacked.

Self-discipline is the only way to keep this emotion under control, and the best way to do this is to explode on paper. As the thoughts come into your head, write them down, and keep writing until you are sick of the subject or personality you are attacking. Get it out of your system, because if you keep it there it will rear its ugly head at the most inopportune time.

If you happen to receive a letter written in anger, don’t take it to heart. Allow the author a few weeks to calm down. Given time, they will probably regret having sent it.

Remember, we are only human, and we all have our failings. Forgive.

Visualisation: You are sitting with a friend enjoying a relaxed conversation and a stranger nearby joins in the conversation. Annoyed at this intrusion you begin to feel aggressive. At this point visualise a plastic balloon inside your stomach, filling with air. Take a needle and prick the balloon before the hot air causes an explosion, injuring all those around you.

Affirmation: Burst the bubble and stay out of trouble.

6

Anger

Anger is a short madness.

HORACE

65–8 BC

LIKE A FIERY FLAME, anger begins in the pit of the stomach and within a few minutes pervades the whole of your body. It is only when you find yourself holding your head in pain that you realise what an impact it is making on your mind. It is at this point that you must make a decision. Are you going to let this unbelievable surge of adrenaline ruin your life and possibly that of everyone around you? Or are you going to allow discipline and logic to take over and channel your negative energies into something constructive?

You will not often have the amount of adrenaline that comes with anger at your disposal, so for starters, use it to get some of the lousy jobs that are part of your everyday life out of the way. If you have a car, wash and polish it instead of leaving it to someone else. If the house needs cleaning, get to it. Or walk the dogs that extra mile – they will love it and you will feel better. If you have no car, house or dogs, use your imagination and get rid of that first power surge somehow, for that is when really bad things can happen. Or you can try the following exercise.

Visualisation: Give yourself up to the moment. Picture a fiery red door. Open it. You find yourself in a large empty warehouse. Suddenly, the image changes and there is carnage all around you. You watch with horror as the debris silently slips into an abyss and you feel a force drawing you towards that abyss. This is decision time. Have you the strength and discipline to turn around and walk away? To return to sanity? If you have, you will find – perhaps for the first time – an inner peace which will support you throughout your life. If you cannot turn back, life will remain difficult until you find the strength to do so.

Affirmation: The anger will not consume me.

7

Anxiety

When you’re lying awake with a dismal headache, and repose is taboo’d by anxiety,

I conceive you may use any language you choose to indulge in, without impropriety.

W. S. GILBERT

1836–1911

FOR SOME PEOPLE, being in a state of permanent anxiety is the norm. Even when there is nothing specific to feel uneasy about, they imagine that something is missing from their lives. Having never experienced peace of mind, it becomes extremely difficult for them to dislodge such a long-standing habit.

Anxiety is a habit you cannot afford. It takes away the ability to see clearly and you make mistakes. However, minds that are fully occupied don’t have the time to indulge in anxiety and are usually healthier for it.

Through healing, I have been able to cure this all too common habit, many times, only to see it return as soon as the voice of reassurance becomes unavailable. If you are serving a life sentence because of this problem, make time every day to practise the following exercise.

Visualisation: You find yourself walking down a corridor of closed doors. As you reach the doors they swing open. Anxious and fearful, you try to turn back, and then you hear a voice saying, ‘Don’t be afraid. I will walk with you.’ You have a feeling of total peace and you walk on.