Is Subliminal Learning An Easy Way To Achieve Self Improvement?

Have you ever wondered how a song got stuck in your head? Haven you ever wondered how a certain word came into your vocabulary even though you never remembered trying to use it purposefully? Could this be the effect of your unconscious exposure to subliminal learning?

Cited Research

An article in Wikipedia concerning to subliminal research highlights a series of laboratory experiments conducted by Robert Zajonc in the 1960s. In the experiments, subjects were exposed to various stimuli [Chinese characters, paintings, pictures of faces, geometric figures and auditory stimuli] for a very brief duration that could not be perceived consciously. They found that the subjects rated these objects more positively than the other characters which they had not seen. The article went on to state that subliminal effects were generally weak and unlikely to occur without controlled laboratory conditions. [1,2,3]

There are a lot of products available on the market today that claim they have subliminal messages encoded in their products. They talk about various “beats” that excite the learning centers of the brain which result in a magical acquisition of the specific subject matter.

However, the last sentence in the paragraph regarding a summary of the research above, clearly states, “that the subliminal effects were generally weak and unlikely to occur without controlled laboratory conditions.”

Scientists are finding that it is possible to accelerate the learning of some skills with the aid of subliminal learning. However, when learning complex skills such a language or mathematics, there is little evidence to support the value of subliminal learning programs.

Personal Learning Experience

It is a well known fact that we absorbed a lot of the knowledge that has shaped our personality before the age of three. The rest of our learning has been acquired through participation in the educational systems, other community institution and by experience relating to “trial and error.”

As we reach our adult years, we find some of this learning is now out dated; but continues to serves us in a negative way through false beliefs. To “unlearn” the beliefs is a task in itself. It is this author’s opinion that subliminal learning programs would be of little value in replacing our old beliefs with new desired ones. Some authors like to refer to this situation as running an anti-virus program on your computer. These programs effectively remove the viruses but they don’t install any new programs. Before the days of the computer, I liked to use the analogy of washing the blackboard. Remember how the chalk dust would adhere to the blackboard until the blackboard was almost gray if someone hadn’t taken the time to literally wash it? And how, after the blackboard washed, the new material was much clearer.

I end this article by stating, “That in the final analysis, we truly learn and retain knowledge through the conscious use of our five senses in the great and wondrous laboratory of life experience.”

[1]• ^ De Houwer, J., Hendrickx, H. & Baeyens, F. (1997). Evaluative learning with "subliminally" presented stimuli. Consciousness and Cognition, 6, 87-107.
[2]• ^ Zajonc, R.B. (1980). Feeling and thinking: Preferences need no inferences. American Psychologist, 35, 151-175.
[3]• ^ Bornstein, R.F. (1989) Exposure and affect: overview and meta-analysis of research, 1968-1987. Psychological Bulletin, 106, 265-289.

Stressed = Desserts [spelled backward]

Do you ever wonder if this why so many of have problems being overweight?

It is a well-known fact that stress is the source of a multitude of chronic health problems ranging from:

 Heart trouble
 Panic/anxiety attacks
 Angina or heartburn
 Severe Depression
 Irritable Bowel Syndrome
 Hypoglycemia
 Apathy leading chronic fatigue
 Migraine headaches
 Insomnia

Common Causes of Stress

We are literally bombarded with stressful information, whether from the global news of natural or man-made catastrophes; the national news coverage of civil unrest and/or political confrontation and/or economic downturns; or local news coverage echoing the above events that are occurring on the local scene.

Then to offset this, the Madison Avenue media expose us to all the hyped-up products designed to make us rich, beautiful, happy in addition to solving all our problems – for a price. It used to be that one could turn off the television and avoid most of this noise. Now, it has invaded the Internet with its obnoxious pop-up ads and blaring videos.

Stop Stress Now!!

Any feeling that creates a contradiction in and to your feeling of contentment [stress] is an “untruth” and does not serve you. It is just like the virus that infects your computer. Hit the delete key!!

Another way to look at stress is to equate it with confused imagination.

Control Your Exposure to Stress

You can control your exposure a small amount of stress by taking some part in some of the following actions:

 Turn off the TV. I permanently turned off my TV over ten years ago and have never missed the “noise”.
 Turn on your favorite music.
 Go for a walk whenever you feel “stressed out”.
 Visit the library or bookstore. Some bookstores even have coffee shops.
 Start small “de-cluttering” projects. Hold a garage sale or donate unused items to your favorite charity thrift shops.
 Treat yourself by brewing a special cup of tea or coffee and grab a good book to read, if only for a few minutes while the house is quiet.
 Start a craft project you enjoy such as needlepoint, knitting, updating photo albums, etc.

How to Avoid Stress

The best way to avoid stress is to “Live in this moment only, RIGHT HERE and RIGHT NOW.” The means observe where you are in your current feelings and surroundings without judgment and accept this present moment “Just as it is” with out fear about the future. This moment of RIGHT NOW is all there is.

Disciplining your conscious mind to relax into this mode of thought is THE MOST effective way to avoid stress “period”.

Until we meet again--Have a Wondrous and Glorious Week

Using Affirmations as a Key to Achieve Self Improvement

Good Morning and Welcome

Part 2 of 2 - Basic Rules to Follow in Using Affirmations

1. Declare Affirmations in “The Now” and with Gratitude

It is essential to state your affirmation in the present tense, with a feeling of gratitude as though you are already experiencing your desire. For example, “I am grateful I am happy right now.” Always begin your affirmation with the words, "I am".


If your affirmation of a future desire presents a “block” for you, revise it by adding. “I choose to be a happy being right now.” Or, “I allow myself to increase my monthly income $xxx by [??? date].”

2. BE POSITIVE!!

Using negative words in your affirmation draws the undesired condition to you. I have heard it said that the mind does not recognize the words “no” and “not”. Thus, in using one of these words in your affirmation, the mind ignores the “no” or “not” words and you end up asking for more of what you don’t want. Ugh!!

3. Use the “KISS” Formula

“Keep it [your affirmation] short and simple.” State your affirmation in concise words which declare your desire using as few words as possible.

Repeat it often and/or make it a mantra. I frequently go to sleep repeating my mantra. And, quite often, I will wake up and be aware that the mantra is echoing in my mind.

4. Take Action

By using your affirmation as a often repeated mantra, it is easy to become so involved in believing your desired goal. Thus, it becomes second nature to select and take the actions to bring it into your experience.

A Word of Caution

Your success in achieving your goals may/may not happen “overnight”.

If you are unsuccessful, more-than-likely, you have some buried subconscious beliefs that are blocking you. These are the multitude of “stickums” that accumulate from childhood, parental, educational, cultural, and other life experiences which are indelibly stored in your memory bank.

Unfortunately, we are limited by these beliefs, whether conscious or unconscious. However, there are many books, ebooks, cassette tapes, CD’s, etc. that will help you to recognize and uncover some of these “blocks”. Some are advertised here; but, there are others as well. My favorite is listed in the bottom section of this blog, Dr. Robert Anthony's "The Dynamic Power of Deliberate Creation".

It is absolutely essential have an open mind, free of pride/ego, approach and analyze all information as it applies to you with complete honesty. Be assured this is your private world and no one else has to be a part of your private journey unless you choose otherwise.

If you follow these rules, affirmations are an excellent way to change your attitude. And, by changing your attitude, you succeed in changing your life.

Take good care!! Make each day a Wonderful and Joyous Thanksgiving Celebration.

Fear, An Obstacle to Self Improvement-Part 3b of 6

Good Morning and Welcome Back

Fear, in itself, is a gift. It is a vital part of our survival skills and alerts us to the possibility of danger; as you well know, the basic instinct relating to "fight or flight".

Let's continue our discussion relating to FEAR and identify some of the more common the types of FEAR that invade our emotions and, thereby, control our lives.

At this point, for starters, I ask you to consider each of the "labeled feelings" on this list and how it affects you. How about: anxious, apprehensive, evasive, frantic, inhibited, insecure, panic, paralyzed, paranoid, trapped, uneasy, vulnerable? This is, by no means, a comprehensive list. There are other feelings associated with fear; but, I think this will give you a good start.

It is the FEAR that is buried deep in our sub-conscious [that has accumulated during our entire lifetime] that so easily dominates our conscious reactions. There is good reason to equate FEAR with Cancer. They are, indeed, quite similar. If left unchecked/untreated, FEAR consumes the mind while cancer consumes the body. Actually, this fear is a gift [a wake-up call], albeit, a painful one.

While FEAR is based on past experiences, it really impacts your future. Picture, if you will, trying to drive a car with one [or more] flat tires.

I like to "label" my fear as "confused imagination". The label, "confused" effectively prompts me to sort/analyze what is happening/or has happened that has created the feeling of fear I am currently experiencing.

While it is most unfortunate, our global partners, the organizations within our community, and the old parenting skills choose to manipulate us with the force of threat which then radiates into the FEAR that either cripples us or make puppets of us.

Are you aware that force is only a temporary fix that impedes the growth [self improvement] of the targeted/victimized individual? Add this one thought to your mental library.

How do they accomplish this? Bluntly, and quite simply, we choose to permit FEAR into our lives through "ignorance and/or misplaced trust [which is actually a form of ignorance]". Ignorance is another complex story in itself.

As mentioned in last week's article, FEAR accumulates in our memory bank and comes out to greet us each time something happens to threaten us. This is the door by which we allow FEAR to control our lives. Let's slam the door shut now.

Just believe me when I tell you, "There is NO THING that can happen to you unless you permit/allow it to happen, either consciously or, quite often, unconsciously.

Come back next week. My scheduled blog for next week will be on how "lust" affects your commitment to Self Improvement.