Mental Movie: a Joseph Murphy practice guide

How to practise

Choose a short scene with a clear ending, see yourself participating in it, and keep the sequence simple enough to repeat without strain. Use it to organize thought and feeling, not to deny present responsibilities.

Relevant source passages

Source page 62. …the point where in my mind I can actually hear the voices of the multitude proclaiming their health and happiness; then I release the whole picture and go onto the platform. Almost every Sunday some people stop and say that their prayers were answered. Mental Movie Method The Chinese say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” William James, the father of American psychology, stressed the fact that the subconscious mind will bring to pass any picture held in the mind and backed by faith. Act as though I am, and I will be. A number of years ago I was in the Middle West lecturing in several states, and I desired to have a permanent location in the general area from which I could serve those who desired help. I traveled far, but the desire did not leave my mind. One evening, while in a hotel in Spokane, Washington, I relaxed completely on a couch, immobilized my attention, and in a quiet, passive manner imagined that I was talking to a large audience, saying in effect, “I am glad to be here; I have prayed for the ideal opportunity.” I saw in my mind's eye the imaginary audience and I felt the reality of it all. I played the role of the actor, dramatized this mental movie, and felt…

Source page 146. …obstacle to his healing other than his own thought. Therefore, there was no occasion for great mental effort or mental coercion. The Power Of His Mental Picture This man acquired a practice of relaxing his body and getting into a relaxed drowsy, meditative state. Then he filled his mind with the picture of the desired end, knowing his subconscious mind could bring it about the easiest way. He imagined his daughter congratulating him on his freedom, and saying to him, “Daddy, it's wonderful to have you home!' he had lost his family through drink. He was not allowed to visit them, and his wife would not speak to him. Regularly, systematically, he used to sit down and meditate in the way outlined. When his attention wandered, he made it a habit to immediately recall the mental picture of his daughter with her smile and the scene of his home enlivened by her cheerful voice. All this brought about a reconditioning of his mind. It was a gradual process. He kept it up. He persevered knowing that sooner or later he would establish a new habit pattern in his subconscious mind. I told him that he could liken his conscious mind to a camera, that his subconscious mind was the sensitive plate on which he registered and impressed the picture. This…

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Treat this as educational reflection. It does not establish causation, predict outcomes, or replace medical, mental-health, legal, financial, relationship, or safety advice.

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