Thought for food

The story described how, after neuroscientists had implanted a small sensor in his brain, a man had learned to use his thoughts and intentions to control a computer, a television set and a robot.The story described how, after neuroscientists had implanted a small sensor in his brain, a man had learned to use his thoughts and intentions to control a computer, a television set and a robot.

by Scott Kalechstein — 

On July 13, 2006, a front-page article in the New York Times caught my eye. The headline read, “Paralyzed Man Uses Thoughts to Move a Cursor.” The story described how, after neuroscientists had implanted a small sensor in his brain, a man had learned to use his thoughts and intentions to control a computer, a television set and a robot.

Wow! I stopped chewing on my breakfast and gave the article my full attention, excited about the implications and possibilities of mainstream science finally catching on, and harnessing the power of thought. It’s about time.

I grew up completely ignorant of the role my thinking plays in the creation of my life. My parents and teachers couldn’t teach me what they didn’t know, and I realized later, through much spiritual searching, that I am indeed the architect of my reality — my thoughts and beliefs being the tools of my trade.

Like many of us, my training in this culture taught me to focus my attention in a worrisome way on what I don’t want, what I don’t have and what I fear might happen. My habit had been to ignore the inner work and run around struggling to make things happen, like attempting to turn on the appliances one by one when the lights go out, instead of checking the fuse-box.

I have had some pivotal experiences that have taught me to go straight to the fuse-box and turn on the power at the source.

When I was 18, I read some books on metaphysics and began experimenting with affirmations — curiously, also called “implants.” I was writing “I am a money magnet,” 20 times in the morning and again at night. After a few days of this, I walked onto a New York City subway and spied a five-dollar bill on the floor near my feet. Pocketing the surprise, I promptly forgot about it and went about my business. In all my years of living in the city, I had never found any bill larger than a dollar, but I did not link the fivespot with my prosperity implants. The next morning before leaving for work I filled my tummy with pancakes and my mind with money magnetism. I hopped on a city bus and took a seat right next to another loose, unclaimed five-dollar bill. This time I couldn’t deny the connection. I had magnetized some money into my life with my thoughts.

Things began to feel creepy. Could my thinking really have that much power? Oh, no! If it was true that I was responsible for magnetizing whatever came into my reality, then that would mean my habit of proceeding through life like a victim was worth reexamining. I was far too fond of blaming God, my parents and the government for my problems. Self-inquiry, holding my thoughts and beliefs up to the light of consciousness, was far too scary for my young mind to handle, and it was quite a while before I was willing to use affirmations again.

Three years later, I was taking meditation and spirituality classes, offered by Hilda Charlton, a wise and beloved guide, who helped thousands in her lifetime. Every Thursday night, about 400 students would come to receive her teachings.

One month she talked a great deal about experiences she was having with beings from other planets. Hilda claimed that extraterrestrial masters appeared in her living room on a regular basis and conversed with her about spiritual matters. Each time she brought up the subject, I rolled my eyes in disbelief, mentally asking Scottie to beam me up. I couldn’t see how intelligent people could believe that visitors from outer space were available for fireside chats.

One cold, blustery evening Hilda seemed to focus her warm, penetrating gaze directly on me as she addressed the group. “Kids, do you want to know why I’m spending all this time talking to you about ETs? To get you out of your little mental boxes, that’s why. Some of you are so shut down and closed tight. There’s a whole universe teeming with life out there, dimensions upon dimensions. Open your minds, kids!”

In that moment I clearly saw the fear fueling my skepticism, and I prayed to at least open to the possibility of the existence of extraterrestrial life, telling myself that Hilda had shown herself worthy of my trust and had no reason to be deceitful. I felt an opening, as if my inner skeptic said, “All right, we’ll consider it.”

Two weeks later a friend called. “Scott, I know you’ve been looking for ways to make some cash, and I just discovered 200 new T-shirts in my basement. Wanna sell them? I’ll give you a great price.” I graciously declined, feeling strongly that short sleeve T-shirts would not sell at any price during the winter. “Oh, that’s too bad.” he said. “They have a picture of a UFO landing on the earth and they say ‘I Believe’ on them.” My head started spinning. I could not rationalize away the synchronicity at play. I bought the ET-shirts and offered them up for sale at Hilda’s classes, selling them all in two nights.

On another occasion, a friend who was struggling with having to find a new place to live at the last minute came to me for support. I led her through a visualization during which we imagined the perfect living space coming into her world quickly and easily. We mentally toured the rooms of her new home, giving thanks for what we imagined and declared this would be the easiest move of her life. As we went through the process we both, at times, internally muttered “This is such New Age mumbo jumbo!” We shared the doubts and dispelled them by laughing at ourselves and acknowledging, “Hey, this can’t hurt, and it’s fun!”

Two days later my friend, while fetching the morning paper in her bathrobe, noticed a “for rent” sign on the lawn of the house to her left. She investigated the situation and ended up moving next door. It turned out to be, quite literally, the easiest move of her life.

These, and many other experiences, have inspired me to gradually make room in my belief system for a universe that works with me and for me, as I learn to think in harmony with my desires and not against them.

Using the power of thought instead of a mouse to control a computer … wow! What will we think of next? How exciting these possibilities are. What if enough of us used our intentional thinking to create what we most deeply desired? What if a bunch of us humans took a stand as magnets for a happy and peaceful world?

If our thoughts can move a cursor, what else can they move?

Scott Kalechstein is a modern-day troubadour and inspirational speaker. He travels the world giving concerts, talks and workshops, as well as presenting at conferences. He lives in Marin County, Calif. www.scottsongs.com, [email protected].

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 25, Number 5, October/November 2006.