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Frequently Asked Questions Scroll down for Related Links & Testimonials
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What is the Silva Method? - It is a Methodology (a technique) for achieving specific goals in any aspect of ones life. It is not a Philosophy.
That doesn't tell me much, can you expand on that please? - The techniques taught enable a person to change the way that they think about things.
Why would I want to do that? I'm perfectly happy with the way I think about things. - If you are saying that you are perfectly happy with your current life circumstances, then indeed there is no reason to change the way you think - as long as there is nothing in any part of your life that you want to change or have be different than the way it is right now. But, if there is something - anything - about your world that you would like to have be different, then you first need to change the way you think about that situation. Otherwise, nothing will change - simple fact.
Well, that was sneaky... of course there are things in my life I wish were different. But what does that have to do with changing the way I think? - The Silva Method is based on the simple acknowledgement that we are what we think, and that our lives are an external expression of the internal thoughts that we hold and focus on. This is a view of reality expressed by both ancient wisdom and modern psychology - change your thoughts and you change your world - in a very literal manner. Even the science of quantum physics addresses this concept. William James (1842-1910), considered the Father of American Psychology, said "The greatest discovery of our age is that Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives". In the Bible, the concept is stated as we reap what we sow.
I knew you'd inject religion into the conversation... - Not really. Universal truths are universal truths, no matter who says them. The Silva Method has over 4 million graduates in 110 countries and 30 languages. Graduates are from many religious traditions and various cultural backgrounds. As the popular movie "The Secret" makes clear, Universal Laws do not just work for Joe or Sally because they "believe" in them, they work for everyone, all the time, whether they believe in them or not. Just like learning math or music, the Silva Method only requires a basic acceptance of the Universal Laws of reality that apply. Methodists, Buddhists and Agnostics can each learn math and music and each can use the Silva Method for their own benefit.
OK, so what are those Universal Laws that I have to "basically accept"? - Simply that everything begins with "thought", that thoughts have energy, that our thoughts do create the blueprint for our lives, and that if we want our world tomorrow to be different than what it was yesterday then we need to change the thoughts we hold in the present moment. Whether our world is influenced in a positive or negative manner is the result of how we hold a particular thought in our Mind. If you do not at least accept that as a basic principle, or even as a sleight possibility, then your "thought" about that concept will prevent you from even attempting to learn any new ways of using your mind. However, I doubt that is so for you - if it were, you would not have read this far into this website.
Oh sure... the old Positive Thinking routine. I've tried that before and it doesn't work - since you are so smart can you tell me why that is? - Our Minds are layered, like onions. It may be that you are "thinking positively" at the outer level of awareness, but at a deeper level you are holding onto thoughts that contradict and negate your desires at the outer level. This is a common difficulty. Also, other mind development and personal growth programs or books often rely on "motivational techniques" to "cause" change in an individual. However, change caused by such external forces rarely lasts long. With the Silva Method, we assume the student is already motivated, and so we simply concentrate on giving him or her the specific "tools" that they can then use to create a new reality for themselves, as they choose, every day, in every way, for the rest of their lives. In a very real sense it is like "reprogramming" our personal computer - the brain. Heck, our brain is being programmed everyday anyway and has been all of our lives - by our family, friends, society, culture, and, of course, by ourselves personally - so we might just as well learn how to program it in ways that are beneficial to us and give results that we desire. As Mike Dooley says, "thoughts become things... choose the good ones".
How do you teach someone to use their Mind in that way? - We must learn how to formulate and hold on to thoughts at deeper levels of Mind - well below the superficial outer levels in which we usually operate in our day-to-day material world - and to do so with consciousness, awareness, and clarity of purpose. The straightforward teaching techniques that Mr. Silva developed help a person learn to use their mind in a step-by-step manner, with full awareness, at lower and lower brain wave frequencies so that they can replace old habits of negative thinking (which produce negative results) with new, more beneficial thinking patterns - if they choose to do so. The individual is always in control of what they choose to work on, or if they choose to work at all.
Is this Meditation? - In the sense that the word meditation describes a "state of concentrated attention on some object of thought or awareness", it is certainly meditation, but of a very special kind. While the act of meditation - no matter what "brand" is used - has a very powerful and beneficial inherent value on its own, the Silva Method is entirely about "what to do" while in that healthy level of mind so as to create a positive "cause & effect" in any part of our full life experience that we choose to work on. The difference between "just" meditation and the Silva Method is a bit like the difference between simply enjoying music or art (passive, non-creative) and actually being a musician or artist (active, creative).
Specifically, why should I take the course? - You should take the course if you have any interest at all in improving any aspect of your life in (choose one, two, or all) the Body, Mind, or Spirit levels. Health & healing, mental acuity, business and financial, relationships, fitness and athletics, intuition and ESP, stress reduction, peace of mind, confidence, goal achievement, accessing the law of attraction, and spiritual development are some of the life areas people have focused on and experienced success with by using the tools of the Silva Method. Specifically, you can expect the following benefits from attending the basic lecture series: 1. Improve
your health and manage stress - LEVERAGE YOUR PERSONAL ENERGY. Click here for even more info about the course. And, if all those reasons to take the Course are not good enough, consider this advice from Herman Oliver Albright (1876 - 1944): "A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."
If I do take the course, what can I expect? Do I have to "share" and talk about my feelings?? I hate that stuff. - Of course not, this is not a therapy group. The Silva Method is taught in a regular classroom situation with plenty of breaks and time for discussion and questions. Each mental training exercise is fully explained prior to practicing it so there are no surprises, and then when the exercise is practiced, it is done so in the privacy of your own mind. There are no "trances", there are no rituals, there are no ceremonies. Everyone is fully aware as they practice the exercises. You can expect a lot of humor, Silva classes are fun, and you can expect to become quite relaxed. In fact, it's not uncommon for folks to occasionally doze off for a short time but that's OK, the mind is still listening and learning. All in all, Silva Classes are just a very straightforward classroom experience.
Why should I believe anything you say? - You shouldn't. As Lynn Andrews says:
"I would never ask someone to believe something that they have not experienced themselves, but I would ask people to explore. There is much more to life than what you see."
So, please, explore. In fact, the more you explore prior to taking the course the more benefit you will receive. We love having fearless explorers in class. And as you explore remember this advice:
"Be open to the possibilities of the world, considering everything with your own intellectual curiosity, but believing nothing except that which you can verify for yourself, personally, by virtue of your own direct experience, observation, and measurement."
William James puts a different spin on that caveat:
"A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."
OK, I'm curious... I'll do some exploring. Where do I start?
- A good place to start your exploration is right here and with the links provided below. And of course read Jose Silva's 1977 book. It gives the full background on how he developed his training system and the scrutiny it received. Study what Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Carl Simonton, Deepak Chopra, Fr. Justin Belitz, Shakti Gawain, Dr Aretoula Fullam, Dr. Herbert Benson, and many other experts in the fields of medicine, body/mind relationships, personal development, psychology, and theology have had to say.
Plus, with 4 million graduates worldwide the chances are fair that you already know a graduate or two - graduates that you personally know will always be your most credible source of information about the Silva Method.
More Info about the Silva Method Basic Lecture Series here.
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~ Related Links ~
Here are some more helpful links about current research and writings that are directly related to the concepts and techniques of the Silva Method:
Book/ Movie "The Secret", Bruce Lipton, author - "Biology of Belief", author/teacher Dr. Wayne Dyer, investigative reporter Lynne McTaggart, author of "The Field" & "Living The Field", Bill & Dr. Aretoula Fullam - www.guidemind.com
~~~~~ "...The essential you, your real essence, is a field of awareness that becomes both mind and body. The real you, infinite consciousness, is inseparable from the patterns of intelligence that permeate every fiber of creation. And yet the intellect divides infinite consciousness into a world of objects separated by space, time, and causation. As a result, we lose touch with the true nature of our reality, which is powerful, boundless, immortal, and free." Deepak Chopra
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~ Testimonials ~ "The Silva Method gave
me a tool to use in teaching the patient how to begin the interaction and
how to become involved in his own health process. I would say that it is
the most powerful single tool that I have to offer." "Jose Silva, the
founder of the Silva Method, is a man I have admired for a long time. I
have used the Silva Method of visualization for many years. It has helped
me overcome illnesses and accidents and avoid surgery. I urge you to
attend Silva's training sessions." "Very positive in terms
of personal developments as well as viewed from the perspective of
characteristics that should make for effective management." New Times Magazine:
"Everyone I knew who took the Silva Method emerged radically altered.
All seemed more confident, more optimistic." More Info about the Silva Method Basic Lecture Series here. ~~~
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