Thought For Food

By Scott Kalechstein

On July 13 of this year a front page New York Times article 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 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, with thoughts and beliefs 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. The habit has been to ignore the inner work and run around struggling to make things happen in the external world, like attempting to turn on the appliances one by one when the lights go out instead of checking the fuse-box.

There have been 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 eighteen I read some books on metaphysics and began experimenting with affirmations - curiously, also called "implants". I was writing "I am a money magnet," twenty 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 five-spot 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!

I 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 taking another look at. 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 classes in meditation and spirituality offered by Hilda Charlton, a wise and beloved guide who helped thousands in her lifetime. Every Thursday night about four hundred of us 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 ET's? 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 at the possibility of the existence of extraterrestrial life, telling myself that Hilda had shown herself worthy of my trust many times over 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 two hundred 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 couldn't 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 asked me for support. I led her through a visualization in 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 would be the easiest move of her life. As we went through the process we both had some resistance, internally muttering, "This is such New Age Mumbo Jumbo!" We voiced the doubts and laughed at ourselves, 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 her neighbor to the left. She investigated the situation and ended up moving into the house 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 are the possibilities! What if enough of us used our thinking intentionally to create what we most deeply desire? 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, then what else can they move?


Scott Kalechstein is an inspirational speaker, modern day troubadour and leader of workshops in the United States, Canada, Egypt and Germany. He lives in Marin County, CA, and can be reached at scott@scottsongs.com or visited at www.scottsongs.com.

SCOTT'S SCHEDULE


FAIRFAX, MARIN COUNTY, CA

Every Thursday Night- My partner Venus and I lead a weekly drop-in support group for both singles and couples called All About Relationships. All are welcome. Go to http://www.innerwings.net/workshops.html to read about what we cover. Call me at 415-721-2954 for more info.

BUCKS COUNTY, PA

August 25- I will be giving a concert in Yardley at The OMPHALOS Center for P.E.A.C.E. Call (215) 493-3456 for details.

August 26- I will be giving both an afternoon workshop (The Greatest Love Of All) and an evening concert in Forest Grove, just 10 minutes from Doylestown. You can come for either or both. Call Cathy Carpenter-Scarpello for more info at 215 262-2273.

August 27- I will be speaking and singing at A Circle Of Miracles in Wycomb, PA. Call Hanelore at 215) 598-8002 for the info.


KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN

September 5 – 8- I will be a troubadour, weaving music in and through a Bread For The Journey staff retreat. Closed to the public.

MARIN COUNTY, CA

September 16- A house concert in Novato at the Treehouse. Call 415 721 2954 for more info or email scott@scottsongs.com

September 17- I'll be the guest singer at the Golden Gate Center For Spiritual Living in Corte Madera. Call (415) 924-1494 for info...

TUCSON, ARIZONA

September 22- I will be giving a concert in Casa Grande, north of Tucson. Call Joan at (520) 836-1029 for details.

Saturday, September 23- A workshop in Yucson called FROM COURTROOM TO PLAYGROUND- Do you start your day with a double dose of straight criticism? Are you flying around at a speed of 465 criticisms/hour??? Well, self-flagellate no more! Scott Kalechstein, a self-confessed recovering critaholic, will share his wisdom, humor and music, as well as powerful tools for healing and transforming the inner critic. Learn to meet your critic with understanding and compassion, while setting your inner child free. Seminar from 12:30 - 4:30pm, at AT EASE WELLNESS CENTER, 310 S. Williams Blvd #110. $35 advance, and $45 at the door. Call 297-2417.

September 23- I will be giving a keynote concert for Sierra Tucson's Alumni Celebration of Recovery. Closed to the pubiic.

September 24- A REALLY OUTRAGEOUS COMEDY CONCERT WITH SCOTT KALECHSTEIN! Join us for an amazing experience with the Clown Prince of Musical Comedy. An international recording artist and Tucson Weekly PICK OF THE WEEK, Kalechstein has a gift for opening people's minds and hearts while tickling their funny bones. He is perhaps best known for his unique ability to improvise spontaneous songs on the spot. One woman said, "I have not laughed that much in ten years!" Tickets are $15 advance (Antigone's, Hear's Music, Beaver's Band Box), and $20 at the door. Concert at St. Mark's, 3809 East Third Street, at 6:30 pm. For a GREAT TIME, call 297-2417.

TUSTIN, CA

October 1- I will be singing during the services at the Unity Church of Tustin. Call 714-730-3444 for more info.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

October 20- A concert in Raleigh. Call Robin Smith for the details at (919) 468-0535.

October 21- A workshop in Raleigh on A Course In Miracles. Call Robin Smith for the details at (919) 468-0535.

October 22- I'll be speaking and singing at the Unity Church of The Triangle in Raleigh. Call the church at 919.832.8324 for details.

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

November 4 & 5- Join us for a weekend event with Inspirational Speaker and Modern Day Troubadour Scott Kalechstein

In-Home Concert, Sat., Nov. 4 from 7-9:30 pm

Hosted by Angie & Sean Meara in the DeBaliviere Skinker Neighborhood
Call 314-576-5508 for directions, Suggested Love Offering $10

Workshop: The Greatest Love of All
Sunday, Nov. 5 from 2 - 5 pm
Tickets $20 (no one turned away)

Scott Kalechstein Guest Speaker at The Gatherings on Nov. 5

Call 314-275-SOUL, or 866-576-5508 (toll free) for info about all Scott's
St. Louis Events