Dr. Sonia Davidson- Ricardo Makyn photo
PETITE AND pleasant, the smiling face of Dr. Sonia Davidson lights up the office in Seymour Park, Kingston, where she practises a different kind of medicine.
Trained as a medical doctor, Mrs. Davidson is also accredited in psychiatry. She is also a minister of the Temple of Light in Jamaica. Her practice, she admits, is steeped in Science of the Mind.
At the recent Health and Lifestyle symposium in Kingston, the diminutive healer discussed the importance of positive thinking and self- affirmation. These, she later told Outlook, have had the most miraculous results in her practice. Several of her patients have been released from cancerous conditions. It is literally healing by love.
The explanation is a simple one, though some might not think so, or even agree with it. But it all has to do with the power of the mind.
"People are always saying things and doing, even when they are not aware of doing so. Our thoughts, in turn, are the result of belief systems with us from birth and of life experiences both ours and the people around us. But, what we are saying to ourselves is also impacting on how we are experiencing life," the doctor explains.
Experiences
What we say and think shape our experiences in life. Affirmations make positive use of this fact by preparing the mind in a very deliberate and conscious way for action.
We can affirm positively as well as negatively, the Science of the Mind practitioner explains. "When we say to ourselves 'I can't' and 'I am afraid', we sometimes do it many times for the day, we are indulging in a negative affirmation."
Children, especially, are fond of saying "I can't" even before they try. We constantly affirm the negative.
The affirmations which can change our lives for the good, however, are positive, definite, specific and deliberate ways of declaring things as they already were. These are definite things which we wish to experience. The Bible itself does this, in saying "Let the weak say I am strong," Dr. Davidson notes.
Unfortunately, negative affirmations are as powerful as those which are positive. When we say, "I am afraid," the statement in fact magnifies the fear and we are likely to act in a way which demonstrates fear.
"If you are afraid of public speaking, you will avoid these situations, and if forced into doing it, your nervous system will comply with your fear," the doctor comments.
Individuals are, therefore, not aware that they are misusing the power of their mind.
"The conscious mind is the only thing we have control over, states Dr. Davidson. "Affirmations plant ideas into the subconscious mind which has no judgment. It accepts what we put there as a fact."
For this reason, in cases of hysterical conversion, it is possible for people to be struck dumb, blind or even paralysed because their subconscious mind has been led to believe that they have these problems, although there is nothing wrong.
Science of the Mind has made positive use of the power of the subconscious, by declaring on behalf of persons, or having the individuals them-selves declare what they would like to experience. The declaration is always in the present tense and precise, as the subconscious mind requires precision.
The subconscious takes you exactly at your word. If you want to overcome fear, Dr. Davidson said, do not use the word fear in your declarations as this echoes in the subconscious. Say the opposite: "I am conscious and self- assured." Do not focus on what you want to get away from.
The affirmation, therefore, is a tool used to keep the ATTENTION on the INTENTION. One who is ill needs to keep one's attention on wholeness. The word has power, even when it is only a thought within.
It has even more power when it is audibly spoken, as sound has an effect on the nerves, Dr. Davidson also asserts.
The affirmation also arouses the imagination which is a further tool in activating the subconscious.
"One lady, just by visualising love, was completely healed of cancer," the doctor claims.
Similar consequences have been noted by mind/body scientist and Harvard researcher Herbert Benson. Dr. Davidson points out that Science of the Mind quotes a spiritual reason for the effectiveness.
Reason
"There is a deeper reason which explains why someone else can affirm for you. Double blind studies show that people who are prayed for do better.
"Science of Mind believes that the mind you have is not separate from the universe. All minds are connected in an energy field. Furthermore, the universal intelligence is continuous with the mind of man.
"When you therefore imagine or affirm something for someone else, no matter where they are, they are affected. There are no boundaries in the mind. The mind or creative intelligence of the universe is confluent, or one."
Prayer also should be a positive, hopeful utterance. It is an affirmation of the good we intend to receive. Science of the Mind adherents therefore pray in the present tense.
"We are not fooling ourselves," the medical practitioner and minister comments.
"By declaring, we are opening the channels to a deeper experience. There is an absolute truth that you can choose to experience by placing your attention on it. "
Once the seed is planted in the fertile (calm, peaceful, clear in thinking and firm in conviction of what they want), the individual will act spontaneously to bring about whatever condition has been affirmed.
In positive affirmations lies the power to change one's life.
