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COPYRIGHT
HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF
www.harpercollins.co.uk
Published by HarperCollinsPublishers 1998
Copyright © Betty Shine 1998
Betty Shine asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins ebooks
HarperCollinsPublishers has made every reasonable effort to ensure that any picture content and written content in this ebook has been included or removed in accordance with the contractual and technological constraints in operation at the time of publication
Source ISBN: 9780006530190
Ebook Edition © SEPTEMBER 2016 ISBN: 9780008219468
Version: 2016-09-21
A good book is the precious life-blood
of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up
on purpose to a life beyond.
JOHN MILTON
1608–1674
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to the memory
of my dear friend
MICHAEL BENTINE
From quiet homes and first beginning,
Out to the undiscovered ends,
There’s nothing worth the wear of winning,
But laughter and the love of friends.
HILAIRE BELLOC
1870–1953
CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Introduction
1. Abuse
2. Accidents
3. Addiction
4. Ageing
5. Aggression
6. Anger
7. Anxiety
8. Bitterness
9. Blessings
10. Books
11. Burdens
12. Career
13. Carefree
14. Carers
15. Caressing
16. Chain letter
17. Character
18. Charisma
19. Charity
20. Chatting
21. Cheating
22. Cheerfulness
23. Christmas
24. Clairaudience
25. Clairsentience
26. Clairvoyance
27. Class
28. Colour
29. Comedy
30. Communication
31. Complaining
32. Conceit
33. Concentration
34. Confession
35. Conscience
36. Conversation
37. Criticism
38. Crying
39. Cults
40. Danger
41. Death
42. Destiny
43. Destructiveness
44. Detachment
45. Determination
46. Devil
47. Discipline
48. Discontent
49. Discretion
50. Dishonesty
51. Divorce
52. Ego
53. Embarrassment
54. Emotion
55. Encouragement
56. Energy
57. Entertaining
58. Envy
59. Excess
60. Expectations
61. Extra-sensory perception
62. Faith
63. Fame
64. Familiarity
65. Fatigue
66. Favouritism
67. Fear
68. Forgiveness
69. Fun
70. Gifts
71. Giving
72. Gratitude
73. Greed
74. Grief
75. Grievance
76. Guidance
77. Guilt
78. Halo
79. Harmony
80. Hate
81. Heartbreak
82. Heaven & Hell
83. Humour
84. Hygiene
85. Ignorance
86. Impulsiveness
87. Inactivity
88. Incompatibility
89. Irritability
90. Inspiration
91. Judgement
92. Kindness
93. Knowledge
94. Laughter
95. Laziness
96. Leisure
97. Lethargy
98. Love
99. Magic
100. Malice
101. Materialism
102. Meditation
103. Mediums
104. Memories
105. Mind
106. Miracles
107. Mysticism
108. Nightmares
109. Noise
110. Opportunism
111. Opportunities
112. Peace
113. Pessimism
114. Pettiness
115. Phenomena
116. Phobias
117. Positivity
118. Possession
119. Possessiveness
120. Potential
121. Public speaking
122. Predictions
123. Pride
124. Principles
125. Priorities
126. Privacy
127. Quarrels
128. Reincarnation
129. Rejection
130. Reputation
131. Retirement
132. Runes
133. Sacrifices
134. Sarcasm
135. Screaming
136. Self
137. Self-esteem
138. Self-importance
139. Self-indulgence
140. Self-pity
141. Sensationalism
142. Sensitivity
143. Sexual harassment
144. Shouting
145. Showers
146. Shrine
147. Sign of the Cross
148. Silence
149. Simplification
150. Sincerity
151. Singing
152. Sittings
153. Sobbing
154. Solitude
155. Soul
156. Spirits
157. Spirituality
158. Spite
159. Stability
160. Stealing
161. Supernatural
162. Superstition
163. Survival
164. Symbolism
165. Sympathy
166. Tears
167. Teasing
168. Temper
169. Temperament
170. Thought
171. Threats
172. Tolerance
173. Touch
174. Tradition
175. Tragedy
176. Trance
177. Transfiguration
178. Trouble
179. Truth
180. Universe
181. Unlucky
182. Unreasonable
183. Vibrations
184. Vocabulary
185. Voice
186. Vulgarity
187. Walking
188. Warfare
189. Water divining
190. Weak-willed
191. Wealth
192. Witches
193. Work
194. World
195. Writing
196. Xenoglossia
197. Yarns
198. Yearning
199. Yoga
200. Youth
201. Zest
Keep Reading
Index
Postscript
Other Books By
About the Publisher
Introduction
Every quotation contributes something to the stability or enlargement of the language.
SAMUEL JOHNSON
1709–1784
THIS BOOK is an A–Z of experiences. Its aim is to help people with various aspects of their lives, to strengthen character and balance temperament. It can be dipped into again and again, whenever the appropriate help is needed. But the magic of this book will only be revealed when you have read every word.
Each word opens with a classic quotation to demonstrate that, although the world changes around us, human beings never change. We experience thoughts and emotions the same as people did centuries ago, and we still have the same problems. You may find that the quotation alone carries the age-old wisdom you seek.
Following a short insight from me, each key word also has a visualisation and an affirmation. The visualisation is short so that you can ‘live’ it as you read it. It is a trigger for the imagination and the self-healing process. See it in your mind, picture it from beginning to end, and you will find where the main problem lies. Then you can make the right decisions and change your life. If a particular visualisation does not in any way apply to your circumstances, you can modify it or create your own – that is why I have called the book A Mind of Your Own.
Many people believe that they cannot visualise, but if you ask them to remember a person or place that has been special to them, the pictures and feelings flow. Remember, the blockage is within you. Take your key and unlock the doors of your mind – you will be amazed at what you find.
Finally, you will find an affirmation at the end of each word to take with you when you close the book. It is the key to the rest of your life.
This is a book of life. In it you will find every emotion. You will laugh, you will cry, but you will never be bored. Enjoy!
Betty Shine
1
Abuse
Whatever you do, stamp out abuses, and love those who love you.
VOLTAIRE
1694–1778
NO ONE SHOULD have to tolerate abuse of any kind, and there can be no excuse for this abominable practice.
Mental or physical abuse to any living thing should never go unchallenged or unreported. Never condone this behaviour.
Visualisation: You become aware that your best friend is continually abusing his girlfriend. When you confront him with it he excuses himself by explaining that, although he loves her, she irritates him. You try to reason with him, but to no avail. Are you going to stand by or give him an ultimatum?
Either he treats his girlfriend with respect, or he loses your friendship. It’s a tough decision but you follow through, because you know that you do not want to have these bad feelings in your life. Even a bystander can take action.
Affirmation: There is no excuse for abuse.
2
Accidents
Now and then there is a person born who is so unlucky that he runs into accidents which started out to happen to somebody else.
DON MARQUIS
1878–1937
HAVING READ THE QUOTATION OPPOSITE you may find yourself thinking that you are that person. Think again. Through healing, I have found that the majority of accidents occur when people are under stress. If, as you read this, an accident has already taken place, then you are probably dealing with it at this moment. Your immediate reaction will also be that you do not want it to happen again, because the other problem you are having to deal with is shock.
My ability to see the energy system clairvoyantly has enabled me to study the tremors that occur within the body after an accident. You have probably experienced these tremors yourself, when you have dropped and smashed a piece of china and found that your hands are trembling as you pick up the pieces. What can you do about it?
Prevention is always better than cure. First of all, think before you act. A minute of your time could save a life. The pace of life is getting faster, and to counteract this you must steal a few moments before you act, so that you can have a little prime time for the rest of your life. Not only will you live longer, but the quality of your life will be greater.
Visualisation: You are running across a meadow of wild flowers – in SLOW MOTION. The slower you run, the more exhilarated you feel. Feel the fantastic lift as you put your life into perspective. Some things can wait.
When you avoid accidents, there is always another day.
Affirmation: A moment’s thought could save a life.
3
Addiction
In a consumer society there are inevitably two kinds of slaves: prisoners of addiction and the prisoners of envy.
IVAN ILLICH
1926–
WHENEVER ADDICTION IS MENTIONED, it is immediately assumed that the problem is drugs. Most of the time it is not. Nearly everyone, at some time in their lives, becomes addicted to something. It can be alcohol, tobacco, television, sports – one only has to think about football to realise how the power of addiction can take over your life. Chocaholics too certainly know all about addiction! Sugar is addictive in all its forms, and parents – with the best of intentions – start their children off on this road by giving them sweets for good behaviour or simply to keep them quiet. I have known people who have become addicted to vinegar, to the inhalation of substances like furniture polish, shoe polish, air fresheners and petrol. In fact you can become addicted to just about anything. This is the real danger. Most of the time you will be unaware that it is happening to you.
Obviously, there are real dangers in any kind of addiction. To overcome the ordinary everyday addictions, try using the following exercise twice a day.
Visualisation: You walk into a small peaceful room, where you see a comfortable armchair; sitting in the chair, you become aware of a warm, comfortable glow as shafts of sunlight steal through the blinds.
You have an overwhelming longing for your addiction. No matter what you do, this longing will not go away. You must now say three words: ‘Please help me.’ You will immediately feel light and relaxed because you have, at last, realised that you have a problem. This is your first step to recovery.
For the first time you notice a table in front of you. On it is the cause of your addiction. Next to it is a small box, in the centre of which is a button. This is your life-line – when you feel desperate, you can press this button and it will switch off the addictive urge. You now have a choice. It doesn’t matter which choice you make the first time. But if you make the wrong choice every time, then you need professional help.
It is amazing how the power of the mind can, eventually, help you to make the right choice. It will show you clearly how strong or weak you are, and then the guilt factor will take over. NEVER GIVE UP. YOU CAN DO IT.
Affirmation: Addiction is an affliction.
4
Ageing
Youth, which is forgiven everything, forgives itself nothing: age, which forgives itself anything, is forgiven nothing.
GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
1856–1950
PHYSICAL AGEING IS INEVITABLE and you cannot escape it, in spite of the beckoning fingers of advertising which promise everlasting youth. Beware!
There is a route that you can take to looking and feeling better, however, that costs nothing. By stimulating the energy counterpart of your physical body and strengthening your mind with visualisation, you can bring about a transformation. Your body will be the same, but it will glow with health. There will be a sparkle in your eyes as the power of your mind renews your enthusiasm for living. When this happens people do not see an ageing body, but are captured by the incredible essence that pervades everything around you. Friends will appear, as if by magic, because whatever it is that you have, they want it. I have seen very old, very beautiful people who know the secret. I am giving it to you.
Visualisation: Every night, before you retire, sit on the side of the bed and close your eyes. You will see a blue door. Turn the key and open it. Walk through the door and gently close it behind you.
You will immediately find yourself walking beside a shallow stream. Follow the stream until you see a fountain ahead of you. Standing beside the fountain, you watch as lacy cascades of water fill shallow bowls dotted around the outside ledge. Take one of the bowls and drink the contents. Gradually, you will feel the whole of your body and mind being rejuvenated. Aches and pains will disappear. Feeling light and lithe, you are able to move without restriction. You will feel weightless, as your mind – free of the burdens you have carried around for so long – revels in the freedom of movement, and you experience levitation of the spirit for the first time in your life. When you feel that it is time to return, open your eyes.
In time you will realise that you do not want to carry around the accumulated mental rubbish of a lifetime, and will discard it. Then you will know that it has been worth the effort.
Affirmation: I feel young. I am young.
5
Aggression
As we jog on, either laugh with me, or at me, or in short do anything, – only keep your temper.
LAURENCE STERNE
1713–1768
WHEN YOU ARE FACED with aggressive behaviour, back down and try to remain calm. It can be a very frightening experience. I have seen calm personalities explode and become aggressive when they have been pushed by unwarranted behaviour in others. Everyone has the capacity for becoming aggressive – it is there within us all, because we need to defend ourselves when physically attacked.
Self-discipline is the only way to keep this emotion under control, and the best way to do this is to explode on paper. As the thoughts come into your head, write them down, and keep writing until you are sick of the subject or personality you are attacking. Get it out of your system, because if you keep it there it will rear its ugly head at the most inopportune time.
If you happen to receive a letter written in anger, don’t take it to heart. Allow the author a few weeks to calm down. Given time, they will probably regret having sent it.
Remember, we are only human, and we all have our failings. Forgive.
Visualisation: You are sitting with a friend enjoying a relaxed conversation and a stranger nearby joins in the conversation. Annoyed at this intrusion you begin to feel aggressive. At this point visualise a plastic balloon inside your stomach, filling with air. Take a needle and prick the balloon before the hot air causes an explosion, injuring all those around you.
Affirmation: Burst the bubble and stay out of trouble.
6
Anger
Anger is a short madness.
HORACE
65–8 BC
LIKE A FIERY FLAME, anger begins in the pit of the stomach and within a few minutes pervades the whole of your body. It is only when you find yourself holding your head in pain that you realise what an impact it is making on your mind. It is at this point that you must make a decision. Are you going to let this unbelievable surge of adrenaline ruin your life and possibly that of everyone around you? Or are you going to allow discipline and logic to take over and channel your negative energies into something constructive?
You will not often have the amount of adrenaline that comes with anger at your disposal, so for starters, use it to get some of the lousy jobs that are part of your everyday life out of the way. If you have a car, wash and polish it instead of leaving it to someone else. If the house needs cleaning, get to it. Or walk the dogs that extra mile – they will love it and you will feel better. If you have no car, house or dogs, use your imagination and get rid of that first power surge somehow, for that is when really bad things can happen. Or you can try the following exercise.
Visualisation: Give yourself up to the moment. Picture a fiery red door. Open it. You find yourself in a large empty warehouse. Suddenly, the image changes and there is carnage all around you. You watch with horror as the debris silently slips into an abyss and you feel a force drawing you towards that abyss. This is decision time. Have you the strength and discipline to turn around and walk away? To return to sanity? If you have, you will find – perhaps for the first time – an inner peace which will support you throughout your life. If you cannot turn back, life will remain difficult until you find the strength to do so.
Affirmation: The anger will not consume me.
7
Anxiety
When you’re lying awake with a dismal headache, and repose is taboo’d by anxiety,
I conceive you may use any language you choose to indulge in, without impropriety.
W. S. GILBERT
1836–1911
FOR SOME PEOPLE, being in a state of permanent anxiety is the norm. Even when there is nothing specific to feel uneasy about, they imagine that something is missing from their lives. Having never experienced peace of mind, it becomes extremely difficult for them to dislodge such a long-standing habit.
Anxiety is a habit you cannot afford. It takes away the ability to see clearly and you make mistakes. However, minds that are fully occupied don’t have the time to indulge in anxiety and are usually healthier for it.
Through healing, I have been able to cure this all too common habit, many times, only to see it return as soon as the voice of reassurance becomes unavailable. If you are serving a life sentence because of this problem, make time every day to practise the following exercise.
Visualisation: You find yourself walking down a corridor of closed doors. As you reach the doors they swing open. Anxious and fearful, you try to turn back, and then you hear a voice saying, ‘Don’t be afraid. I will walk with you.’ You have a feeling of total peace and you walk on.