ConsciousLifeSkills
guided practices in self-realisation
Effect of thoughts exercise
c2006 Conscious Life Skills
Try this simple exercise on yourself to see how your thoughts affect your physical body. You need a partner to do this exercise.
| · |
Stand at right angles to your partner. Hold your right arm (or left arm if you are left-handed) straight out in front of you at shoulder height. Your partner then puts their hand on your outstretched wrist. Now put your energy into holding your arm steady and resisting while your partner tries to push your arm down. The aim is to find your natural level of resistance. There is no need for your partner to apply force. Then relax. |
| · |
Now close your eyes and, just for a moment, think of a situation or person that creates a sad or upset feeling in ou. When you get this feeling, stick your arm out and resist your partner trying to push your arm down. Then relax. |
| · |
Now think of something that makes you feel really good and that brings you joy. When you have that feeling of happiness, stick your arm out and once more resist your partner trying to push your arm down. Then relax. If you want, you can now change places and do this to your partner. |
Most people immediately notice differences among the different arm tests.
With upsetting or sad thoughts, they find they no ability to resist, as if all the energy had been taken out of their arms.
Yet, when they focus on joyful thoughts and feelings, their arms become very strong and easily resist. Often their arms are stronger than when they first started the exercise. The extraordinary thing is how quickly the thoughts and feelings are translated into a physical response.