Captured Minds

Yesterday I was reading an article by the late Alan Watts, a philosopher. It was a brilliant short piece about men's clothing. I learned that it was in England where the sobriety in men's clothing began in the 19th century. Watts derided the shackle business suits are for men. What does this have to do with captured minds? Think about it. Very little has changed in the style of men's suits since Beau Brummel first made them popular. I remember noticing on a trip to Germany in the late 1970's a group of businessmen in a posh hotel bar and they almost looked cloned in their dark suits--black or dark gray--and white shirts with a conservative tie. This style of dress for men has a subliminal message of power and of course, if a man in business in the corporate world wants to get ahead, then he must dress conservatively. He wants to be one of the 'boys.'

This subliminal message spills over to their private lives. The majority of men fall for the subliminal programming that a man must be macho, he must be the boss of his woman or the women who work for him. Included in this is the military and their brutal programming and they have to have it in order to kill the enemy. A majority of men come under the spell of sports, video games, hunting, partying, bars, and seducing women, while others are derided because they enjoy other pursuits.

It is no wonder that we have temper-tantrums of rage and there is now an epidemic of road rage, office rage, golf rage, wife beating and other forms of rage. It is a sickness of the spirit and most men do not recognize it and have no knowledge of how to deal with their rage. They succumb to alcoholism or drug abuse.

Women have been taught to suppress their rage, but they have also been programmed by society, religions and advertising. Women's rage comes out in various forms such as jealousy, petty gossip, envy, nagging and thinking they have to please a man or look good to attract a man. Women are emerging into the realization that they are intelligent and yet, they fight the battle in the business, scientific and government worlds. It's hard for men who are entrenched in those areas to accept that women could be smarter than they are.

The abuse of women in relationships has become rampant and if you beat someone up enough, then the brain goes into a mode of acceptance and it is difficult for a woman to leave the abuse. Many women also succum to alcoholism, drugs and abuse their children. Theirs is indeed a captured mind. Change is possible and it takes courage to move from abuse to wholeness.

I have written a book about changing the mind. It is a simple book filled with tools I used in my own journey from ignorance into knowing. The title is Awakening the Genie Within. Most people only need the desire to change because they realize their life is not working for them. I understand and this is why I am sharing a portion of my awakening. This book has just been released and is not available on BarnesandNoble.com or Amazon.com yet. However, it may be purchased from my website http://www.magdalenescrolls.com/.

The book is a roadmap to freedom of the mind. Enjoy and your comments are appreciated.

Bettye Johnson

RAGE - HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED...

There is a proliferation of rage incidents that has become a world-wide epidemic. Have you ever wondered what is underlying cause is? Within the past year there are news reports of increasing road rage. In fact, someone smart sicko has produced cards that one can display that has a vulgar remark printed on it. Road Rage has expanded to include Office Rage and with the domino effect we now have Golf Rage along with rage in the waiting rooms of medical centers, an increase of rage and abuse in air travel with the latest form of rage reported in Florida. A man became enraged because his lawn mower would not start. He went into his house and got his shotgun. Yes, he actually shot his lawn mower several times.

Acts of rage are spreading all over the world including Russia and the UK. I have noted that the majority of rage incidents are perpetuated by men. Why men? If one reflects on history, men were taught to suppress their emotions and especially the military. I was married to a career U.S. Marine and I know. Fortunately he was away two-thirds of our marriage and I was able to raise our sons the way I wanted to. I allowed our sons to express emotions. They are very male-oriented and now married.

It is very moving to watch the Marine Silent Drill Team with every Marine like a robot. Yes, a robot--only human. Military men are taught to kill the enemy and the outcome is damaging to the male psych, because it suppresses emotions. The military men of today are flooding the Veteran's Hospitals and the increase of suicides is becoming rampant.

We also are seeing an increase of abuse of women and children by men and in wondering about it, I have realized that men have been spiritually abused by not only the military. Within every male and female there is a Spirit--a Divine Spirit that is part of the Creator. Some label this Spirit/Creator as God and think that the God they believe in is the only God.

Spiritual Abuse has been going on for eons and now it is erupting into rage, illnesses and suicides. This is more evident in the male than the female. Men have been programmed to war, sports, movies of action, which are really violent, television, the news media and advertising. Just as the Marine Silent Drill Team move in unison like robots, men are prone to violence when deep within them there is their spiritual side crying to be released.

Think of the word ill. Break it down and it means I lack love--love of self. Everyone has a piece of God lurking inside of them just waiting to be acknowledged. Everyone has a direct connection to God or the Creator. As a co-pilot, everyone has a Soul dwelling within. The Soul is recording every word spoken and every thought. Unfortunately, through the ages God has been thought to be a He or a Him and living somewhere up there with an eye checking to see who has been naughty and who has been nice. This is Spiritual Abuse at its extreme limits.

Spiritual Abuse is perpetuated by religions, which are man-made. When a religion teaches that Jesus died on the cross for their sins, then that is abuse and robs the individual for taking responsibility for their actions. If a religion teaches that man (women too) is a sinner, then that is spiritual abuse. If a religion teaches that one can go to hell and there is a devil, then that is Spiritual Abuse. The primary culprit of spiritual abuse is teaching people that God is outside of them and promoting prejudices, judgements, bigotry, and discrimination.

Religions have taught that men are superior to women. One only has to read the Bible and especially the Old Testament where they teach that Eve seduced Adam. Some even say that the downfall of man stems from this myth. Adam was the first being created and in order for there to be procreation, a female was created and labeled Eve. Eve was the evolution of Adam. She is the one who had the ability to think faster. (I go into this more on another blog: http://feminine-point-of-view.blogspot.com/)

To add to this postings, on this last Sunday in Knoxville, TN, a man went into a church and killed two people in the congregation because of the church's liberal position. The gunman was frustrated about being out-of-work and resented the church's advocation of women's and gay rights and the establishment of an American Civil Liberties Union chapter. The actions of this man is a result of the spiritual abuse I have written about.

From my 79 years of living, I have learned that to emerge from spiritual abuse that one must become a seeker and give up guilt, resentments, jealousy, envy, greed and thinking one is better than another. This is when the Spirit emerges. Meister Eckhardt once wrote: The greatest prayer is two words - Thank You.

For more insights, please read my newest book, Awakening the Genie Within. It is available for purchase from my website: http://www.magdalenescrolls.com/.

Psychological, Mental, Whiners Equal Recession

Have you ever wondered how politicians come up with the spin they do? The latest spin is the use of two words: mental and psychological in referring to the slowdown of the U.S. economy. George Bush has used the word psychological in referring to the recession as well as McCain. Phil Graham, who resigned as one of Bush's advisers calls it mental and Americans whiners. I have noticed that slowdown is replacing recession. Is it really a slowdown with banks closing? Is it really a slowdown that major chain stores are closing all over the country? A few of the retail stores closing many of their stores across the nation are Gap, Eddie Bauer, Lane Bryant, Fast Locker, Home Depot, Macy's, Pep Boys, Starbucks and Wickes Furniture and Levitz along with Zales are going out of business. JC Penney, Lowes and Office Depot are scaling back.

If you look at the list, one can perceive that clothing stores, home improvement and furniture stores are the hardest hit. With the high cost of gasoline, oil and food, one wonders about their mentality. Could it be that the three men mentioned are the ones out of touch with the reality of the American public? Are they the ones who have a problem with being mental, psychological and whiners? It really is something to think about. It makes one wonder if there is anyone home or are they out to lunch.

Awakening the Genie Within

Have you ever wondered what happens when a forty year old woman awakens to a genie lurking within her? Two time award-winning author Bettye Johnson answers this question in her soon-to-be released first work of non-fiction Awakening the Genie Within, A Journey of Discovery, a semi-memoir of Johnson's journey into a world of manifested words and thoughts. Johnson's book Secrets of the Magdalene Scrolls is an Independent Publishers Book Award Winner 2006 and its sequel Mary Magdalene, Her Legacy an Independent Publishers Book Award Winner 2008.

Suzanne Fairbrother, Ph.D., author of the best-selling book The Goddess Within, says "Awakening the Genie Within is a delightful presentation of the accumulated wisdom of a life well lived. Bettye Johnson's book shows us how to live our lives more powerfully." Johnson's book covers a span of her next 39 years of developing the genie within and shares her experiences, the tools she used and the wisdom gained during a fascinating journey of discovery. Bettye Johnson's life is a woven tapestry experiences that moved her from the cotton fields of Texas to working as a code clerk in the embassies of Paris and Tokyo where she received an uncommon education. Her background includes being a wife of a career military man, mother, government worker, minister and author.
ISBN 978-0650454-4-5 $17.95

To place orders for the book, contact: Living Free Press P.O. Box 97 Rainier, WA 98576 (360) 446-3032 Fax (360) 446-0284 e-mail: lfpress@fairpoint.net
For a review copy of Awakening the Genie Within, contact Living Free Press, lfpress@fairpoint.net, 360-446-3032 FAX 360-446-0284 URL: http://www.magdalenescrolls.com/
To arrange for book signings, speaking engagements or interview, contact Bettye Johnson at bettye@magdalenescrolls.com or lfpress@fairpoint.net

WHAT IS YOUR MENTAL EQUIVALENT?

Have you ever wondered what your mental equivalent is?

Yesterday as I was cleaning around my bookcase(s) a small booklet fell out. I picked it up, looked at it and I thought “Hmmm. There are no accidents.” The title of this small booklet is The Mental Equivalent by Emmet Fox. Not too many people have heard of Emmet Fox. In the first half of the last century, he was very well known. Born in Ireland, he made his way to the
U. S. and in 1931 he was ordained a Divine Science minister by founder Nona Brooks.

Fox has been labeled an author, teacher, minister, healer and mystic. From my perspective, he was all of these things. He is best known for his book Sermon on the Mount. He has also been called a New Thought minister/teacher; however he labels himself as a metaphysician in this small booklet.

He has crammed into this booklet a powerhouse of information in a concise form. He was saying the same thing that The Secret and other books have said. Fox at one time held services in the Manhattan Opera House in New York City with 4,000 to 5,000 attending each service. His message was simple.

My understanding is that what we experience in our outer world has a mental equivalent in our inner world. Our thoughts, beliefs and attitudes create our outer world. If one has a health challenge and the desire for wellness is there, then the inner thought and belief must be changed to the mental equivalent of wellness. It is simple to say, however it take practice to change an entrenched attitude or belief. In other words, what are you giving attention to with your common thoughts? Is it lack? Is it resentment? Is it anger? Is it unforgiveness? Is it pain and suffering?

If there is a belief in lack, then the mental equivalent is revealed in your everyday thoughts and conversation. Most people enjoy talking about their woes and play the ‘ain’t it awful game.’ Worry and fear brings forth the mental equivalent in the outer world. I have heard people complain about their debts, never having enough money and they keep repeating this to other people. This only reinforces a mental equivalent of lack.

Fox gives the example of the trinity – or triad. There have been trinities in ancient Egypt, Chaldea and Babylonia long before the creation of Christianity. The Christian trinity of Father, Son and Holy Ghost was a plagiarism of ancient knowledge. The true trinity is father, mother and child – meaning that father represents the idea or the thought. Mother represents the activity. The mother carries the thought in her womb while nurturing it. The child is the demonstration or the manifestation.

To bring forth change, one must have clarity of what is wanted. Clarity is the handmaiden to intent. What change is wanted? To bring forth a dream or a desire, there must be attention. There must be an overlay of a new thought over the old thought. This is nourished with interest. How interested are you in having a change in your life? What interest are you showing? How much attention are you giving it? A lukewarm response won’t do it. There must be enthusiasm or feeling. Enthusiasm and feeling are not accompanied with emotion. Have you ever noticed that people who are doing what they love to do sparkle? Sparkle is the result of interest or giving attention to what they loved to do.

According to Fox, The law of mind is that you can only get rid of one thought by substituting another…For everything in life there has to be a mental equivalent. He goes on to say to change an attitude about mistakes is to look at them as learning experiences. Get the thought of what you want as clear as you can. Be definite but not too specific. Fox also wrote that there can be no sickness without fear. Fear and doubt are the blocks that one must overlay with what one wants to be or to accomplish.

In The Mental Equivalent, Fox reiterated over and over, Change your thought and keep it changed. As the piano teacher said, practice, practice, and practice. If a new mental equivalent is wanted, then the price is to give up the old and lousy. It is similar to turning in a used car for a newer model.

Check out http://www.emmetfox.net/

What Is It To Live Joyously?

Have you ever wondered what it is like to live in Joy? I have and a number of years ago I came up with some personal rules for me that I will share with you now.
1. Every day I wake up and say, "Isn't life great!"
2. I try never to 'should' on others nor do I 'should' on myself.
3. I never hold on to grudges, anger or resentment. I have learned that those emotions only bring on illness. They hurt me more than they do others.
4. I never hold on to jealousy. Ditto for number 3. I have had a painful experience and learned.
5. I promise myself to be kind to me and never judge me for being right or wrong.
6. I practice watching the words I speak and think because I know they have power and the words and thoughts are what I attract to me.
7. I never should on me when I make a 'mistake'. It wasn't a mis-take. It was only an experience and I gain the wisdom. .
8. I remind myself to never say, I wish, I hope, or never to allow doubt come in. Instead, I remind myself to say, "I know."
9. I laugh a lot. I have been told laughter is from God.
10. I sing to myself: I am happy, I am healthy, I am wealthy, I am wise knowing that the truth sets me free.

If everyone created their own personal rules for living, wouldn't this be a more interesting world?

WHO ARE THE GIFTED?

Have you ever wondered who the gifted are? Creative and imaginative people are often not recognized by their contemporaries, family or peers. In fact, they are not recognized in school by their teachers either. Many of these gifted people are late bloomers in some their schooling stifled their creative processes. Consider some of these:
Einstein: Was four years old before he could speak and seven before he could read.
Isaac Newton: Did poorly in grade school.
Beethoven: His music teacher once said of him, "As a composer, he is hopeless!"
Thomas Edison: His teachers told him he was too stupid to learn anything.
F.W. Woolworth: He got a job in a dry goods store when he was 21, but his employers would not let him wait on customers because he "didn't have enough sense."
Walt Disney: He was fired by a newspaper editor because he "didn't have any creative ideas." Art Linkletter tells the story of Disney taking him out to Anahim, CA to look at a big empty spanse of land telling him of his dream for a theme park. He wanted Art to invest in his dream and Linkletter turned him down. The rest is history.
Caruso: A music teacher told him: "You can't sing. You have no voice at all."
Leo Tolstoy: He failed college.
Werner Van Braun: He failed 9th grade algebra.
Adm. Richard E. Byrd: He was retired from the Navy as, "Unfit for Service" until he flew over both poles.
Louis Pasteur: Was rated as mediocre in chemistry when he attended the royal college.
Abraham Lincoln: He entered the Black Hawk War as a Captain and came out as a Private.
Louisa May Alcott: She was told by an editor that she could never write anything that had popular appeal.
Winston Churchill: He failed the 6th grade.
What does this tell us? Never give up. Follow our own knowingness and our dream. Never let anyone 'should' on your dream.