The Journey of a Thousand Miles

by Golbahar Dadyan

     A few years back I had a grand idea that I wanted to learn how to become a yoga instructor. I went to one class at the studio that had the trainings and I was sold. I signed up for the training right away. At first I was very excited and happy to go, then after the first weekend of trainings I got pretty overwhelmed. I couldn’t possibly achieve this goal! The room was too hot, I had a full time job, I was taking care of a sick parent and I was a student at the School of Metaphysics. The main limitation was that I could not possibly have enough time to do this all. I went home that day and decided I would just give up. Then I remembered what I was taught in the School of Metaphysics lessons:  the Universal Law of Cause and Effect which states that "thought is cause and effect is it’s manifest likeness."

     So I decided to follow through with my idea and become a yoga instructor. I decided I would really apply and understand how to be a master of efficiently and effectively using my time. I focused on being consistent every day with the things I needed to complete and investing the time that was needed each day. I stayed focused on what I wanted and each time I thought a limiting thought, I used my undivided attention to direct it towards what I wanted. As time passed I got better and better at using my time effectively. After a year of consistent effort every day I completed the yoga training and received a 500 hour level yoga teaching certificate. I also completed the First Cycle of classes at the School of Metaphysics, all in that same year!

     If I could do this, I started to wonder to myself, whatever happens to the great ideas that don't come to pass? Do they end up in “Idea Heaven?”

     At the School of Metaphysics there is a Universal Truth that states, “Thought is cause and effect is its manifest likeness.”

     To me that means it is not just enough to have a great thought; we have to do something with that thought to see its effect.

     We all have those great moments in life in which we come up with a really grand idea. Sometimes it happens at the most unexpected times, like standing in line at a grocery store or driving on a crowded street. It is a moment in time when a rush of heat runs through our bodies. We are excited at the prospect of what might be possible if this idea actually came to fruition. The world seems brighter and happier in those times of great inspiration. It is as if we are in love, and what we are in love with is the love of creating something from nothing and making the world we live in a better place. We get excited and immediately call our best friend and tell her about how great an idea it is and that we want to get started right away. Then as the excitement of the idea starts to fade, the dark cloud of reality sets in and we realize in another moment in time that we have truly no idea how and when this idea will actually come all the way out into the physical level of mind and be real and alive. That’s right about the time that 95% of the people in the world say to themselves. “Oh you know, it’s a good idea, but it’s not that good and really not worth all the effort.” So that great idea is replaced with some other fleeting thought.

     Being a student and a teacher at the School of Metaphysics I have been taught about the inner mechanics of the mind, how the mind operates and how to effectively use the mind at its highest capacity possible. Some would describe this as unlocking the individual potential of each person’s mind. As a beginning student we are taught a very simple and unique principle that is applicable to any living human being on the planet—and that principle is undivided attention.

     Many new age books and teachers talk about another concept the SOM teaches, that thought is cause. Change your thoughts and then you can change everything else. Everything that ever was and will ever be has been created first, from the beginning, with a thought. So the key is how one changes his or her thoughts. Before you can change your thoughts you need to be able to hold your undivided attention on anything that you desire and then to be able to concentrate upon that for as long as you desire. This is easy to do if the subject at hand is something intriguing or fascinating for the mind. Looking into the big blue eyes of someone you love with full attention is easy and you could do it for a very long time. If the object at hand is stimulating then undivided attention is not difficult. For instance place your full attention on creating this new idea that you have. At this point since it is something new, it is challenging.

     That is when doubt comes into mind. “I have no idea how to do this! I have never done this before. Someone will do it better than me.” In order for the idea to come true you must be able to override those thoughts and place all your attention on what you want and push all the doubts away.
 
     So I thought back to Idea Heaven. Have you ever seen a new invention and said, “Oh man! I thought of that four years ago.” Well you probably did think of it first. So what is the difference between you and the person who made the invention happen, who produced it?

     That person understands the Grand Ultimate Principle which requires will and undivided attention every day. What is the Grand Ultimate Principle? It means that when you give attention to something every day, it grows. It is the discipline of staying committed to fulfilling a goal or idea and applying dedicated action toward that goal every day until you are able to create and manifest it. How does this occur? How is this achieved?

     I see it as a series of steps:

• Receive the idea into yourself. When a great thought or idea comes to you, do not dismiss it. Really look at it and see if this idea is worth pursuing. If it is then you can go to step two.
• Formulate a plan. This is an outline as to how this idea is going to be created.
• Concentrate. Focus on it. Get in to the netty gritty of what the idea is all about and how you can make it even better than the first thought.
• Follow the road map and plan that you created and focus on it every day. Do something for it every day to move it forward.
• Do not get discouraged. Keep using your undivided attention to focus on what you want and take steps to creating it.
• Be willing to learn. Become humble. Ask questions. Research. Look for the next clue that will take you closer to what you want.

     Rome was not built in a day. Huge ideals and ideas take time to formulate and grow. Those who are successful never give up on what they want and they take every step as a step forward no matter how large or small.

     So go grab those great ideas you have been having and go for it. Anything is possible with a strong and directed will.

                                                                                           —30—