Psychotechnics

As with all things psychogenic, in order to gain from fresh approaches we need to be open minded and ready to consider alternative thought processes, not only educationally but also philosophically.  When a student takes educational material and uses it philosophically, they will in time be able to train their mind to become a powerful tool. By studying the past and understanding previous experiences we can achieve the ability to overcome fears and negative behaviour. Once a student has a full understanding of himself then, he can gain growth and control of the unconscious, allow it to lay plans for his desires, achieve an overall balance of well-being and contentment.

Genuine wisdom is only revealed to us in solitude, stillness and silence. A meditation practised by those who have mastered wisdom, as in the philosophies of Buddhism. A way of life based upon training of the mind, the understanding of reality to achieve freedom from dissatisfaction, anguish and suffering. A freedom which is gained from being unconditioned, by following the seven steps from the right understanding of things as they actually are; recognition of the three characteristics of the relative universe, time, form and matter. Through to the final of practical psychology and right mindfulness; the greatest development of attention, awareness, continually improving the mental state beyond the normal untrained mind to assist in the daily dealings of stresses and problems, eventually becoming able to discern things as they really are.

Great thinkers gain their knowledge and wisdom from many hours spent in spiritual and physical solitude, this time alone allows for the discovery of answers to all problems. By familiarising themselves with introspection (to understand and be consciously aware of ones own desires, thoughts and sensation) and with consideration of the opposite extrospection (all those things external to ones self), great thinkers have an inner knowledge of themselves. It is when a person has a true knowledge of oneself; thus the clear mind that such knowledge allows offers way to a flow of fresh, new and invigorating information. The clear mind being enabled with the ability to take fresh information and thought processes categorise, reorganise and process giving the thinker an opportunity to resolve problems and find solutions.

Jung observed there were two main 'types' of people; the attitude type and the functional type. The attitude type lead by general interest and libido, consisting of both the extroverted and the introverted, the extroverted being open and serene, propagating themselves in every way. While in contrast the shy and impenetrable introvert defends against the external in order to conserve himself. He noted that not only were these characteristics not restricted to breading, sex or local, but also that they were somehow natural in their occurrence (observing that two children of the same parents can result in one of each of the attitude type) suggesting that these attitude types came about due to 'unconscious instinctive cause' bought about by 'biological precursor'. Jung realised that nature offers only 2 real ways of survival/adaptation in that on the one hand there is increased fertility combined with a low defence/survival (rabbits being a prime example of over breeding to avoid extinction) and conversely, self protection with low fertility (man). The extrovert with his propagating lead us to the thought of the first survival/adaptation and multiplicity, while the defence against the external conserving from expedition and monopoly leads us to the second. The functional type being people who feel, are intuitive, sense or think, a special kind who visualise their surrounding world with emotion rather than attitude. Those who who feel make decisions upon whether things are good or bad and use their feelings to act appropriately. The intuitive act upon instinct and unconscious visions of the world often without any factual knowledge of a given situation. Those who live by sense depend on their 5 natural senses to relate to the world. While the thinkers are the intellectual ones who rely on logic, knowledge and reason.

Westerners are by their very nature materialistic, unlike our Eastern neighbours, who find their lives more emotive. By studying programmes of the mind Westerners should in time with practice find that they too are able to awaken their minds to achieve things of wonder; a healthier lifestyle, a calmer state of well being all things which aid their ability to grow mentally and achieve their goals in life. In just the same way as our Eastern partners do, thus taking control of their mind and making their lives generally more fulfilled.

The conscious mind, used daily for the operations of understanding reading matter, of processing new information and resolving problems. The unconscious mind can be viewed as the inhibitor, being the part of the mind that houses our fears and as a result controls our behavioural patterns often relating to negative experiences from the past. The third level of the mind, the subconscious, should probably be placed in first position as it is the largest and most powerful and yet in general the least used. The subconscious not only plans conceives and plots but it never makes a mistake. We have all had experiences where we have for no obvious or logical reason done something, something which has proved to be the right and beneficial thing, yet had we thought about it, it would never have happened, it was either 'out of character' irrational or just plain dumb, yet the subconscious knew, knew exactly what it was doing and why.

A Lack of or reduced enthusiasm for any project makes it hard for the mind to focus, for it to take in the necessary information enabling understanding. A mind that is tired, cluttered with noise or negative repressive thoughts is unable to open itself to fresh information. Children can probably be described as those having the least amount of enthusiasm, to motivate a child can at times seem impossible. Conversely, they demand the latest 'fad' item only to loose interest and discard it very quickly.

Once the mind has lost enthusiasm, it is likely that no positive achievement can be made, a situation that many students have found themselves in when cramming for exams. Likewise the dieter who is struggling weight loss, in the beginning it seems easy, there is more weight to loose, the enthusiasm is fed by the falling weight, but as time moves on and it becomes slower to leave, enthusiasm begins to wane. Short term enthusiasm loss can often be overcome from rest and rejuvenation.

Without time spent on training the mind, teaching it stillness and silence through meditation the mind is unable to become cultivated. A mind that has received training to hear and make strategic plans will be blessed with enhanced enthusiasm. The cultivation of this enhanced enthusiasm makes it easier to achieve life's goals.

In 1906 French-italian economist Vilfredo Pareto observed what is now known as the Pareto principle. A principle proven by statistical analysis, also known as the 80/20 rule, it describes how 80% of effect is derived from 20% of cause; that 20% (few) is vital and 80% (many) are trivial. A perfect daily reminder that 80% of our time and energy should spent on the 20% of the tasks that are actually necessary.

The value of the Pareto principle is to remind us to focus on the 20% that matters. It is the few who have learned this most important and first principle of knowledge, those who have taken the time to cultivate their mind power who will achieve the greatest success. A success which is not achieved easily or quickly only with training, self knowledge and much discipline can the subconscious become honed to a level necessary for this elite achievement.

Without Wisdom (experience, knowledge, intuitive understanding and the ability to apply them) Patience (to persevere calmly with arising difficulties) and Training (moving from the mundane to the sublime through self realization) the subconscious remains unmanaged. An uncultivated subconscious makes mind power an impossibility.

 The mind plays an important role in every success. In order to gain achievement with minor or major goals it is essential to have a controlled and disciplined mind. Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the thoughts words and images that are conducive to growth. It is a good mental attitude that expects favourable results, results gained from a managed mind. A positive attitude brings strength, energy and initiative.

The formula for mind power is 'thinking does make it so'. A suitably managed mind accepts this law knowing that whatever the mind expects it finds, that reality is the mirror of your thoughts. The managed mind thinks in terms of 'possible' and 'can be' done knowing that all goals are achievable.

Positive thinking is the key to inner peace, success and happiness, in order to yield the results of positive thinking we need to develop a positive attitude and expect a successful outcome. The ideas/suggestions we plant in our minds grow like seeds in the garden, if we plant negative seeds the mind propagates negative results. Conversely the positive seed blooms into a thought pattern of able can and will.

Happiness is the here and now. It does not come in a box available at the local shop, it is not a sense like smell or taste it is a thought process, one that must be cultivated. Happiness is an unnatural manufactured thing, a feeling that only we can develop created from a positive state of mind. An emotion which is experienced ranging from contentment to euphoria created and enjoyed by us for us, though a happy and positive attitude is contagious, those around us pick up on our mental moods and are affected accordingly, the positive happy person has many follows who enjoy the vibrations that the positive mind emits.

As with all things in life quality counts, use poor materials and expert workman, the result will only be mediocre; use good materials and an expert workman, the result is one of quality. The subconscious mind is exactly the same, with the input of quality materials during your concious moments (positive suggestions, good seeds & happy thoughts) the subconscious will function efficiently.