This thought is just coming to me. That is, if you want to know the secrets to changing yourself that is long-lasting, then just look at what religions do to convert or train their followers.

The other night, I was reading about prudence, see wiki. I was kind of surprised that there was a whole wiki page on just prudent decision making. Anyway, as I read it, I began to feel more prudent and envisioned myself acting in prudent ways; making the right decision after weighing all the facts despite my selfish needs. Thereafter, for a day, I was being more prudent in my decisions. But, then I fell back to my old ways the next day.

My point is that, if you want to be more disciplined, READ about discipline. If you want to be more charismatic, READ about charisma, about what it is, about charismatic people, etc.. Now, if you want it to stick, then ask yourself what religions do, they simply practice reinforcement. IOW, they READ SOME MORE. So, keep reading and studying the subject everyday.

Of course, while reading, you are also visualizing. Visualization is already proven to be effective; it's not even debatable, imo.

The other main ingredient the brainwashing schools of religion use is prayer. Which is basically a way to get your emotions involved in with the object of your desire, along with visualization again.

These are just my thoughts, I haven't tested this yet, but religions obviously have a way of convincing perfectly reasonable people into changing their entire behaviors in a very profound way that is very difficult to undo. Permanence is always the missing ingredient in any self-change program.

Any thoughts?

Originally posted by TheSingularity
My point is that, if you want to be more disciplined, READ about discipline. If you want to be more charismatic, READ about charisma, about what it is, about charismatic people, etc..

Yes. This theory does not work with regard to porn.

However it is very correct otherwise.

Repetition is the Mother of all learning.

Originally posted by Ian McLean

Yes. This theory does not work with regard to porn.

However it is very correct otherwise.

Haha, well, if you think about it, porn satisfies a need which removes the drive that could have been directed towards more constructive action. Sex energy is the most powerful energy that exists. By holding it in a bit it can be redirected towards constructive pursuits. That's a principle of magick and also a major principle stated in Think and Grow Rich as I recall.

So, continuing my brainstorming, I'm thinking that I should create my own bible with my values and my own god that personifies those values and characteristics, or choose a few of the archetypal gods that suite my needs and seriously worship them every day. That doesn't mean I have to believe they exist outside my head, only that they exist, or may manifest themselves, simply because I imagine them to be and the power of transformation, or self-brainwashing if you will, will enable the change that I want.

At the very least, you have to acknowledge the power of religious PRACTICE. The powers of old have figured out how to manipulate the masses to their own ends. Now, I can use their same methods to manipulate myself as ***I*** see fit, not they.

Last night before bed, I knelt down and prayed to Mercury. I just slipped right in to reverence, so the training I had as a theist is great help. There is no need to pretend, just swap gods. Then today, I praised Mercury as my God a few times. I did seem to be a slightly better communicator today - one of Mercury's qualities.

But, can I be an atheist and this trick of pretend worship still yield results? Can't I acknowledge that a God/archetype may not exist outside of my skull, but still is as real as emotion, pain, impulses, thoughts are? Is love real? If you have ever experimented with hallucinogens, then you know that the entire universe is in those 9 pounds of innervated fat. We see with our brains, not our eyes. The answer to those questions is an obvious yes, as even the solipsists would even agree, they are as real as your life.

The practical question is, should I prey to him as if he is really REAL. And, of course, the religious always suggest that you form a relationship with their God. Well, it certainly makes sense from a brainwashing perspective. I'm not sure I have to keep using that word anymore. Mind molding sounds better... by just a hair.

Ok, let me get to real again. I keep thinking, #it, if kingdoms can be built and continents conquered from the united efforts of God-crazed sheeple, then surely worship can help me with my backswing. Surely any basic archetype/god would be real EVEN IF IT IS ONLY REAL IN MY BRAIN! It doesn't matter! It doesn't matter if my god exists inside my skull or inside my big toe, it is as real as my very... life. Man, I hated to have to repeat myself... but I guess it takes a little shouting and repeating of oneself to wake up.

==========

Ok, so how many of you ATS'ers think I'm outta my mind and how many think that I'm DEAD ON! ;o)

I believe worshiping anything is a sin. That might actually be in the bible, but I should probably read it first before I comment on any religion. But Im all down for praising. Praise the sun for giving me light! Praise the Earth for giving me life! Praise the stars for their gravity and relevance to the universe!

There are many gods, but there is only one God though there are a million different interpretations of the same thing.

[edit on 15-1-2009 by Wisen Heimer]

Request to Moderator.

Can you please move this to the Psychology, Philosophy and Metaphysics forum? I didn't notice it before and it would be more appropriate.

Thanks