WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK? WHAT THEY FORGOT TO TELL YOU...
Rev. Dr. Karen Y. Saunders
What Happens When Affirmations Don’t Work? WHAT THEY FORGOT TO TELL YOU...
Rev. Dr. Karen Y. Saunders
Introduc on I have affirmed almost everything in my life and overall my life has been pre y good. However something always seemed to be missing, I had a lot of stuff but I wasn’t really happy. Then I discovered the missing link. I was manifes ng stuff that I didn’t need while searching for what was really important. I didn’t know how to let go! The informa on in this li le book took my affirma ons to the next level, clearing the way to my inner peace. I pray it does the same for you. Namaste
Acknowledgments Thank you God! This is project I have been working on for awhile but was afraid to reveal to the Universe! I denied those fears, I let go and allowed God to take over. Thanks to my family and friends for all your love and support. A special thanks to my Spiritual family at Unity On the Bay, and to all the Angels that have come into my life to support me as I surrender to Spirit and soar! I love you!
In Memory of
Mr. Stanley T. Saunders, Sr. (5/20/23 - 9/8/98)
Preface An affirmation can be defined as a declaration of any thought as true, or not. The uses of affirmations bring about a desired outcome, or not. This affirmative declaration of truth is made consciously…or not. The outcome need not be limited by space and/or time. Be advised It’s a process, or not Manifest wisely… …why not? ~kysses
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
A SMALL GUIDE TO ADDING BIG POWER TO AFFIRMATIONS! There is much evidence that our world in is a state of perpetual confusion. While we are vibra ng at higher levels, many of us are out of balance. We have been condi oned through repeated spiritual, self help and manifesta on teachings to affirm everything. For years affirma ons have been used as a tool to bring forth and manifest just about any and everything in our lives. While this is, and will remain a wonderful tool, I know it is me to re-evaluate who and where we are in the Universe. Materialism has run rampant, and s ll it is not enough to sa sfy what appears to be an insa able appe te for more. Our vibra on is that of more, bigger, faster…NOW! More of everything is not the answer. The fact is too much of anything in our lives creates chaos and conges on. What we are in need of is balance. It is me for DENIALS! WHY WE NEED DENIALS Ernest Holmes in The Science of Mind describes it like a mental knot that needs to be un ed; generally some suppressed emo on, which perhaps is centered on affec ons, your likes and dislikes, the loves and passions, and everything that goes with them. Denials can help to un e these knots. A denial, then, is a very prac cal device needed when we are not sufficiently affirma ve. Co-founder of the Unity Movement Charles Fillmore revealed an affirma ve thought some mes produces a congested condi on throughout the body that interferes with elimina on. In the book The Twelve Powers, Fillmore further revealed that con nued strenuous affirma ons, even of Truth, will some mes cause cons paon. Cons pa on is created when there is a blockage of some type. There are many over the counter and natural remedies for relief of this physical situa on. The important thing to remember is that a flow must exist or stagna on can create undesired circumstances. I remember a er high school being accepted into a pre medical program for teens and my assignment was in nephrology at a local Miami hospital. My first day shadowing the Doctor in diPage 1
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
alysis, I became faint as I watched the machines clean the systems of pa ents whose bodies could no longer perform that necessary life func on. Without this apparatus they would die their systems full of waste. The flow of so much energy was overwhelming; I was watching life in ac on. Several mes a week these pa ents had to return to the hospital to have this procedure performed. Their kidneys had failed and could no longer cleanse the toxins from their blood so a machine had to do the job. Periodic cleansing is a process necessary for life. The same theory holds true for our minds. Cons pa on is the physical reac on to affirma ons and the mental blocks can create a similar stagna on in our minds. Many of us are suffering from mental cons pa on. Fillmore further stated that the words of Truth that we have affirmed must have me to work out in the sub consciousness. How do we achieve this? What happens when you have affirmed consistently yet your circumstance(s) remain unchanged? It is impera ve that we cleanse the temple of the mind! In so doing, we make way for the plan ng of the seeds of Truth that will bring to us an ever-increasing supply of good. Through race consciousness (human ego thoughts) we have clouded the windows of truth so much that the need is very great for denials, ridding minds of unwanted thoughts. We have affirmed ourselves to such a state of consciousness in materiality among other things; we cannot see the proverbial forest for the trees. Now is the me to clean away all the nega ve thoughts and beliefs in our minds we have covered in affirma ons over the years and begin anew. These negave thoughts have created conges on like traffic on the freeway. You would never apply wax to a dirty car. It must first be cleaned to achieve the desired outcome. A denial would be the cleansing of the mind and the affirma on would be the wax crea ng the desired outcome of something new, shiny and clean. The affirma on can manifest much faster and greater if it is applied to a clean conscious. A denial removes obstacles to that manifesta on. Roadblocks such as guilt fear and doubt are removed through the use of denial. A conscious verbal denial would release the nega ve thought into Page 2
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
the Universe for perfect healing. Let go and let God. The mere act of speaking the denial is the act of le ng go and it does not matter whether someone is there to hear your denial. It is important that you consciously release that which no longer serves you. The terminology does not ma er as much as the intent. Some suggesons for words to be used when denying are as follows, surrender, release, deny, let go, detach, and/or remove. Conscious denials are tools used to open a space in the sub conscious for aďŹƒrma ons to take root and manifest.
Page 3
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
WHAT EXACTLY IS A DENIAL? A denial can be described as a refusal to sa sfy a request or desire to believe something as true. Denials are the opposite of affirmaons and are intended to be used to create a space of healing. Affirma ons are the declara on that something is true. While there are many books on the use of affirma ons very li le a en on has been paid to denials, un l now. According to some psychologists denial is one of the most common defense mechanisms that we all use, pretending that an uncomfortable thing did not happen. This is the unconscious use of denial. The denials to which I refer are intended as a conscious clearing mechanism, used to prepare a firm founda on for the affirma on to be built upon. Perhaps you have been doing affirma ons for years however something just seems to be missing. What is missing is the balance that using denials may bring. There is a polarity that exists in the Universe that is described by Sir Isaac Newton, to every ac on there is always an equal and opposite reac on. To balance our use of affirma ons there must be a denial to allow room for the energy shi . To con nue to consciously affirm and never consciously deny creates a blockage. There has to be balance. There must be conscious denial to create conscious balance. Charles Fillmore of the Unity movement suggested a denial should be used like a gentle sweeping of the chimney. This was over a hundred years ago. Now denials need more vehemence. Hora o Dresser declared in the 1930s’ that The word “denial” is not to be understood in the Chris an sense of self- denial, losing the self that one may find it, but in the sense of a declara on that any alleged enemy, error or evil does not exist. You will know you are on the right track when your days are less complicated and stressed surrounding your issues and you begin to manifest to your heart’s desire. Your mental house cleaning will begin to produce results immediately making room for an abundance of blessings. Page 4
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
HISTORY OF THE USE OF DENIALS Denials have been used for many ages in various teachings and are used throughout the Bible. Jesus used denials o en when invoking miracles. At the Sermon On the Mount Jesus declared that we should not worry about what we will wear, eat or drink. This is a denial of habitual worry and a cau on not to indulge in that pracce. Worrying is a form of prayer and our prayers should be kept joyful. By worrying you are denying what you desire will manifest, thereby nega ng the affirma on. We have been told to set aside some me to repeat our affirma ons, usually aloud at least twice a day upon rising and right before re ring at night, or write down the affirma on where they can be seen, so a er me they become ingrained in our subconscious. Denials should be used in a similar way. Consciously deny the circumstance or situa on that is the issue. Be precise in your denial as in your affirma on. Consciously get the undesirable thought out of the way then affirm and manifest what it is you desire. Interes ngly the most powerful and popular Biblical prayers contain denials. In the original prayer to Our Father in Aramaic, there are several denials. “Detach the ropes of faults that bind us, like we let go of the guilt of others.” Also “let us not be lost in superficial things, but let us be freed from what keeps us off from our true purpose.” For those who are seeking their life purpose the denial to be freed is perfect. The Lord’s Prayer in English repeats these denials as “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And leave us not into tempta on, but deliver us from error.” In both biblical stories of the feeding of the mul tudes when told there wasn’t enough to feed everyone Jesus denied this was true. Jesus took what they had, five loaves and a few fish, looked up to heaven in gra tude and in an act of denial divided the food un l everyone was fed. Jesus did not believe the thought of not enough. When faced with a challenge financially it is wise to deny thoughts of lack and limita on. Charles Fillmore advised to deny that lack has any place or reality in your thought or your affairs and affirm plenty as the only appearance. Praise what you have, be it ever so Page 5
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
li le, and insist that it is constantly growing larger. Tithing would be the ul mate way to deny financial lack and limita on. By giving away a percentage of what you have you are denying any inclinaon of not having enough. For it is wri en if you can freely give you shall always abundantly receive. Fillmore wrote in his book Prosperity (175): In fact we cannot lay hold of the new ideas and make the new condi ons un l we have made room for them by elimina ng the old. If we feel that we cannot part with the goats, we shall have to do with fewer sheep. If we insist on filling the vessels with the bad fish, we shall have to do without the good. We are learning that thoughts are things and occupy “space” in mind. We cannot have new or be er ones in a place already crowded with old, weak, inefficient thoughts. A mental house cleaning is even more necessary than a material one, for the without is but a reflec on of the within. Clean the inside of the pla er, where the food is kept as well as the outside that people see, taught Jesus. The Course In Miracles (19) says you should deny any belief that error can hurt you. This kind of denial is not concealment but a correc on. Your right mind depends on it. Denial of error is a strong defense of truth and the Course states that the denial of error frees the mind and re-establishes the freedom of the will. The teachings of a Course in Miracles are the denial of impossibility, the Course states that miracles occur naturally, and when they do not occur something has gone wrong, purifica on is necessary first. The Course educates about percep ons and illusions. Through our very adept use of affirma ons we have become condi oned in our thinking that material things will bring us a certain amount of joy and happiness. The truth is that this is a very temporary illusion of happiness. How is it that the very insanely rich can have every imaginable luxury but lack in areas of happiness and health? A classic example is a famous sitcom actor who was recently publically debunked while grossing millions per episode. He reportedly had several mistresses plenty of material pleasures and all the money Page 6
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
he could spend yet controversy seemed to surround him. What more could a man ask for? In the illusion of materiality peace and happiness apparently eluded him and so many others. This occurs when too much emphasis is placed on what is outside of us. Now is the me to undo all the quickening we have manifested outwardly and to generate a level of self love and inner wisdom returning to, and maintaining a state of health and peace we somehow have forgo en. Even with unlimited wealth it is possible to suer in mental anguish and turmoil. These are only a few of the examples of written denials, perhaps you will discover many more as your awareness opens to this concept. Balance is the key! A denial is in not intended to be nega ve, do not dwell on it. State it in clear concise terms and let it go! Over 100 years ago Dr. H. Emily Cady, a metaphysician and holis c prac oner revealed to us the saying over and over of any denial (or aďŹƒrma on) is a necessary self-training of a mind that has lived so long in error and false belief that it needs constant repe on. Repeat the denials consciously and o en. Cady also stated denial is the first prac cal step in wiping out of our minds mistaken beliefs of the past, to repeatedly deny a false or unhappy condi on, it will eventually lose its power to make you unhappy. Do you seek happiness?
Page 7
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
HOW TO USE DENIALS Begin by iden fying what your perceived roadblocks to achieving you desired outcome may be. Once they are iden fied write out what could be the source of these blocks. Then consciously deny the offending blockage. Below is a simple medita on to help you uncover what may need to be released. You may record it or prac ce it with someone else to get the full benefit. Read it to each other and take notes if needed.
Page 8
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
DENIAL VISUALIZATION EXERCISE Get in a comfortable posi on you may want to sit upright in a chair or you may prefer to lie down. Close your eyes if you like. Take three cleansing breaths as you allow yourself to relax. Now imagine the condi on you want to change. Visualize it…..center you thoughts on it…..analyze it if you want. No ce what comes up for you as you look at it? Are you angry? Does it make you feel sad? Breathe deeply again. Take a few moments and just sit with it. Take three deep breaths… Are you red of this situa on? What does it look like? How does it feel? How does it make you feel? Take a few more deep cleansing breaths. Allow yourself to look outside of the situa on and lovingly embrace it. Now take this challenging situaon and pick it up in your hands as you gently caress it recognize it for being there and then as you release it gently deny needing it any longer. In a li ing mo on surrender the situa on to God! Recognize it as your past and affirm the new greatly improved be er you! Express Gra tude! And it is done!
Page 9
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
DENIALS FOR PROSPERITY AND ABUNDANCE I can affirm I am prosperous but if I previously declared and gave credence to lack in my life by saying I cannot afford this I am broke, I don’t know how I am going to pay my bills. Then you will con nue to be broke, not have the ability to pay the bills and never step out of your life of lack. Unless there is specific denial along every line of human-thought bondage, one will s ll be under the law of sense (Chris an Healing, Fillmore, p. 131). Deny that lack has any place or reality in your thought or your affairs and affirm plenty as the only appearance. Praise what you have, be it ever so li le, and insist that it is constantly growing larger (Charles Fillmore, Prosperity, Unity House, Unity Village, Mo 1936, p 41).Lack of any kind is not possible in all God’s universe. So when there is an appearance of poverty anywhere, it is our duty to deny it (Prosperity 37, 38). I am free from thoughts of lack and limita on. Tithe! Freely give and freely receive! Tithing is the ul mate denial of lack and limita on. You cannot out give God. DENIALS IN WEIGHT REDUCTION I deny (resist) the urge, desire, craving, for (fill in the blank) I release any excess weight on my body. I deny that anything outside of me has any power over me. Fas ng is an excellent form of denial of food and/or thoughts that has great physical and mental results. Warning: Do not a empt any food fast without first consul ng a medical professional.
Page 10
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
DENIALS TO MANIFEST PERFECT RELATIONSHIPS If pe y quarrels, jealousy, uncharitable thoughts come into my life, I overcome them by a quiet but posi ve denial made in the realiza on that no error has any power or reality in itself. I turn away from the belief in nega on, and my thinking changes (Keep A true Lent, Unity Books, Fillmore 141). Silently or in a whisper deny the feeling of being separate from God and others. Then affirm you are never alone. Love surrounds you and you are loved. I deny being alone. I release thoughts of loneliness. I release the feeling of separateness. I am not alone. I reject unloving thoughts. I release the fear of love. I release the fear of trust. I reject the belief in mistrust. DENIALS OF ILLNESS OR DISEASE All thoughts about the loss of life, or the weakness of life, or the impurity of life, should be persistently denied out of mind, and we should make the strongest kind of affirma ons of what life is in God. In this way connect the life center with its spiritual source, and it is restored to divine harmony (Charles Fillmore, Chris an Healing, 2nd ed., Unity House, Unity Village, Mo, 2005 46, 47). I am the perfect child of God therefore I do not inherit sickness. (Myrtle Fillmore, Unity Movement) I reject pain. I reject cancer cells. I reject illness. I release any cancers from my body. I release any stress and anxiety I am feeling. I release fear.
Page 11
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
DENIALS FOR ADDICTIONS Simply deny all desire for material s mulants and affirm that you are sa sfied with the s mulant of Spirit (The Twelve powers 169). I surrender this addic on to a higher power. GENERAL DENIALS (with some accompanying affirma ons) We are all placed at mes where denials are in order. When face to face with an enemy likely to conquer us if we are not uncommonly skilful and alert, we must resolutely declare that he cannot, must not win. Thus a denial is a psychological device adopted for the me being to get us out of a ght place. (Hora o Dresser Chapter XII The value of Denials) But how about the states of consciousness that man has built up and from which he would be free? No one can play fast and loose with God. What man forms that is evil (error thinking) he must unform before he can take the coveted step up the mountain of the ideal. Here enters the factor that dissolves the structures that are no longer useful; this factor in metaphysics is known as denial. (Charles & Cora Fillmore, The Twelve Powers, unity Classic library Series, 1999, p.150) When man is recep ve and obedient, giving himself unreservedly up to Spirit and to receiving its guidance without antagonism, he is delighted with the possibili es that are disclosed to him in the cleansing of mind and body (The Twelve Powers, 156). If an upse ng thought occurs to you simply think or say “cancel”. This thought is not true. I deny my past has any control over me. I live in the moment and all is well! I deny I am unorganized. In fact everything in my life is in Divine order!
Page 12
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
I deny I am always late. I am always right on me! I deny I am afraid. I am always safe and protected! I deny being fearful. I am powerful! I deny any weakness. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
WRITE YOUR OWN DENIALS ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Page 13
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
What Happens When Affirma ons Don’t Work? What they forgot to tell you... Rev. Dr. Karen Y. Saunders ISBN 978-0-615-53824-2 Printed in the United States September 8, 2011 Xumba, Inc. - www.xumba.com 2427 Biscayne Blvd Miami, FL 33137 Copyright © Rev. Karen Y. Saunders Cover Design Xumba, Inc. Images and Illustra ons Shu erstock: 100ker / Mayalenka / Sergej Khakimullin Book Design and Layout Xumba, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmi ed in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior wri en permission of the publisher. For Informa on contact Xumba Inc. or Rev. Karen Y. Saunders
Page 14
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AFFIRMATIONS DON’T WORK?
Rev. Dr. Karen Saunders studied at Barry University in Miami Shores and completed her Doctorate at the University of Metaphysics, Sedona, Arizona. She is the Owner of A Mustard Seed Healing, LLC For more informa on visit her at:
www.amustardseedhealing.com Friend her page on Facebook at A Mustard Seed Healing karensmiami@aol.com Page 15
An Ordained Metaphysical Minister and Healing Prac oner, with a Doctorate in Metaphysical Hypnosis, the Rev. Dr. Karen Y. Saunders, life’s purpose includes assis ng others in manifes ng posi ve life transforma ons and healing through various holis c techniques including prayer and medita on. Her story: For over 28 years I worked in job that I was great at, and I loved, however, there always seemed to be SOMETHING WRONG! I was always sick or figh ng some issue, I was miserable. As I look back, my first month there I developed tonsilli s, (s fled crea vity, fear) TWICE. I fought to keep working as I loved my work. I was depressed and years later I realized “my will” was different from the will of God. The job was literally killing me!!! I developed high blood pressure (lack of joy, lack of circula on of ideas), anemia (lack of joy, not feeling good enough) and various other stress related illnesses, the doctors prescribed so many drugs it was insane. I was insane (doing the same thing over and over and expec ng different results). Finally, I let go and let God. I prayed and I meditated. I dug deep inside myself and I changed my thoughts, feelings and beliefs and I changed my life! I peeled back the layers and...I WOKE UP!!! Now my mission is to teach others what I havee learned.
What Happens When Affirmations Don’t Work? WHAT THEY FORGOT TO TELL YOU...
Rev. Dr. Karen Y. Saunders
Affirma ons are a big part of our lives. We have used them for centuries to change our circumstances and they are amazing! But what happens when you affirma ons stop working? Read this book to find the missing link that can take your affirming to the next level!