My teaching methods

My methods, using philosophies from Eckhart Tolle, Tony Robbins, and Joe Dispenza

1. The Power of Now, made simple

Using Eckhart Tolle's book The Power of Now, coupled with pattern interruption techniques and philosophies from Joe Dispenza, Tony Robbins, and a few others, clients learn how to instantaneously stop spiraling out of control with "what if" negative thoughts, and learn to shift their mindset from fear and anxiety to gratitude. From living in the past or future to the precious present moment.

The big idea. Most people live in one of two places. The past: regret, guilt, resentment, replaying old stories. The future: worry, fear, anxiety, imagining worst case scenarios. Tolle says life only ever happens in the present moment, the Now. The more time we spend trapped in thoughts about the past or future, the more disconnected we become from peace.

You are not your thoughts. This is Tolle's most important teaching. Most people believe "I am my thoughts." Tolle says you are the awareness that notices your thoughts. Imagine sitting by a river. The thoughts are the water flowing by. You are the person sitting on the riverbank watching. Once you realize you can observe your thoughts, you have already created a little space between you and your mind, and that space is where peace begins.

Since The Power of Now is confusing for beginners, I introduce the ideas in this order:

1. The voice in your head. Almost everyone has a nonstop inner narrator. Have you ever noticed that voice worrying, criticizing, or replaying conversations? Once you recognize it, you have taken the first step.
2. You are not the voice. If you can notice your thoughts, then there is a part of you doing the noticing. That noticing is what Tolle calls awareness.
3. The observer. Imagine sitting on a park bench watching cars go by. The cars are your thoughts. You don't have to jump into every car that passes.
4. The present moment. Right now, in this exact second, what problem do you actually have? Usually people realize their suffering comes from replaying the past or imagining the future.
5. Only then read the book. Now the chapters make much more sense, because you already understand the basic concepts.

2. Tony Robbins: own the morning before the world owns you

Robbins often says that if you start the day by reacting to emails, texts, or other people's demands, you have already put yourself in a reactive state. He encourages creating intentional morning time where you decide what you are grateful for, what your top priorities are, and what emotional state you want to bring into the day.

3. Joe Dispenza: Believe, Behave, Become

Joe Dispenza teaches that by becoming aware of your unconscious thoughts and emotions, practicing meditation, and consistently thinking, feeling, and acting like the person you want to become, you can create meaningful changes in your life. I share my own story here: a neurosurgeon told me I needed back surgery, I read Becoming Supernatural and attended a retreat instead, and in the end no surgery was needed.

4. The CHANGE pattern interruption technique

The game changer: learn how to become the observer, watcher, awareness of your thoughts, because where you put your attention is where you put your energy.

The CHANGE method starts with awareness:

1. Notice your thoughts, and say CHANGE. This interrupts the thought.
2. Shift your body physically. This redirects your attention.
3. Instantaneously think of something else. Where you put your attention is where you put your energy.

Once you become conscious of the negative thought, you no longer have to automatically become it. Awareness creates choice.