Our Servo-Mechanism
In my article “Allowing Non-Resistance” we explored the importance of non-resistance, presenting the idea that in our thoughts or beliefs we often generate corresponding physical resistance that shows up in the form of pain, headaches and tension and asserted that when we allow for non-resistance (or simply ‘allowing’) of that which is, the physical body can come into alignment with that goal of optimal functioning and avoid the build-up of tension or pain.
In this article, let’s discuss an idea that goes hand-in-hand with this practice. The idea of servo-mechanisms is most often discussed in mechanical terms to describe self-correction in a guidance system. We can borrow from this idea and discuss how to bring greater ease into our life by merely setting an intention and letting go of the need to figure out ahead of time how it will all work out. This need to figure it all out or to have a complete plan of action before we begin can be stressful and even paralyzing. The belief that we have to have it all figured out ahead of time is, for most of us, a message we learn when we are young. But what would it be like if we could have a desire, set a powerful intention based on the picture of completion, and, without putting any effort into figuring it all out, achieve our desire? This would undoubtedly lead to a life replete with the daily practice of allowing. Easier said than done you say? Keep reading.
If we had the desire to take a baseball and throw it across the yard we would be physically unable to do it if we had to consciously activate every muscle in the exact sequence that it took to create that action. What happens in reality is that we quite simply hold the ball, set the intention of what we want to do and then initiate the movement of throwing the ball. All the workings of our body happen automatically. It is our servo-mechanism that guides the nervous impulses to activate the muscles to move the body and arm and self corrects for balance and external conditions. No effort is required once the process is set in motion. So how can we apply this model of servo-mechanism to achieve our deepest desires?
As we consider this servo-mechanism model, we need to discuss three distinct aspects of this process: powerful intention, purposeful focus, and mindful self correction. Let’s start with Powerful Intention.
Powerful Intention
Intention is our image of what we would like to manifest from our actions or beliefs. Many models of goal achievement encourage us to state our goals, write them down, discuss them with others, etc. However, something much more powerful is available to us. In order to give our innate servo-mechanism the most power we not only have to state our intention but imagine what it feels like, looks like and smells like (a total sensory image) when we achieve it. Not what it will feel like, but, in this moment, begin to experience in our body and self-image what it feels like having accomplished the goal. For example, if it is a desire to have that promotion, create/imagine the feeling of sitting in that new office, see the view from that new office, experience the prestige and good feelings from having achieved that promotion. This idea of feeling the desired outcome is alluded to in The Secret and discussed in depth in the teachings of Abraham-Hicks. It is this important aspect of setting our intentions that will provide the subconscious power to manifest our desires. The moment we invest in our intention we begin to consciously and subconsciously look for avenues to manifest it then empower our desires further with Purposeful Focus.
Purposeful Focus
When we have taken the important step of setting a powerful intention we are on our way to manifesting our desires. Next we must be mindful of our old habits, filters and those messages that have been ingrained in us throughout our lives. We will group these things together and call them by the name “distractions”. Many times, distractions seem to arise again and again, requiring a large amount of effort to keep our focus on the desired feeling set forth in our intention. Physical pain, past trauma and restrictions in our body can also be sources of distraction. Read here to find out how Myofascial Release can help decrease many if not all of the distractions discussed above and how “the release of tissue memory creates awareness to return (us) to conscious choice and control of (our) destiny.” 1
Purposeful Focus can be better understood by thinking about our focus as the lens on a camera. We can choose to zoom in on distractions or on our stated intention, but not both. Because we are humans and not computers we can only process so many things at once, so our actions and self-corrective mechanisms are limited to what we bring into focus. When we are focused on distractions our self-corrective mechanism responds to those old habits, self-defeating messages, physical pain, etc. But when we are focused on the feelings of the powerful intention we have designed, our servo-mechanism adjusts to that intention. We have the ability to take the occasional opportunity to zoom out to see the bigger picture of our life and how our intentions are guiding us but then zoom back in and bring our energy to our purposeful desires. When we are focused on how we desire to feel, our conscious and sub-conscious actions and thoughts align around the manifestation of that feeling and will guide the purposefully focused toward the image set forth by the intention.
Once we are able to bring our Purposeful Focus into daily practice the stage is set for “Mindful Self-correction”.
Mindful Self-Correction
While a large portion of self-correction happens without our knowing, much self-correction happens with our mindful actions. When we maintain our Purposeful Focus on our desires and experience the feelings that accompany the realization of our intention, we can, when crossroads are encountered, ask “is this action, thought or message serving me?” When we follow the response that resonates with the powerful intention and not the distractions of fear and what others might think, we are guided towards the manifestation of our intentions. This way of acting in a situation instead of “re-acting” (acting the same way as we did in the past) to a situation is a much more mindful and productive way of manifesting desires and is the necessary third component in this ‘triad of manifestation’.
While there is much more to learn about this topic and because this method of living takes much practice (there will never be a shortage of situations in which to practice!), let’s try to summarize this article in one sentence: The power we have in manifesting our desires lies not in the ability to figure everything out before we begin but in setting a powerful intention, mindfully focusing our energy and allowing for our servo-mechanism and mindful corrections to guide us from there.
I hope you have found this article to be interesting and helpful. Please feel free to send comments via email or we can discuss it at your next session!
Please check out these links for more information on the topics discussed in this article:
- Abraham-Hick’s website and video.
- Without Awareness There Is No Choice – Article
- Tunnel Vision – Article