The Applied Neuroscience Institute

Mark E. Anderson wrote on Tue Apr 10th, 6:27am:

TWO fundamental shifts in my thinking as a result of living in a sustained UpSpiral:
1. Moving away from overwhelm (it’s all on top of me, not enough time.)
Through my desire to live in an UpSpiral, I have been determined to move away from this down spiral thinking by practicing the emotional gym, reading daily affirmations and learning to better schedule my time. One of my favorite tools when feeling overwhelmed is “just this”. If I can concentrate on just this one day, just this one hour, just this next 10 minutes, I can make move toward completing the tasks at hand and feel good about my progress.
2. Grieving the loss of a pet
When I put my dog down last month, I felt tremendous sadness and loss. Waves of emotion would strike and I gave into them completely, feeling the feeling, accepting the grief. I felt this level of deep emotion for two days. I have been surprised through this work and the tools of ANI how quickly I was able to move into gratitude, appreciation, empathy, compassion, love, peace and joy for the 16 years spent with this loving animal who taught me so much.

Mary Garvey Horst wrote on Thu Apr 12th, 2:44pm:

Reflecting on your personal journey, what do you consider to be the TWO fundamental shifts in your thinking and experience which are the direct results of living in a sustained UpSpiral.

#1. The Power of Choice - Prior to my association with the Applied Neuroscience Institute, I had a self-limited view of my power of choice.  I did believe that I had a choice in the decisions affecting my life; however, I did not realize how profound my power of choice could be.  I was aware that I could say “yes” or “no” to questions or decisions without really taking into account how important my “yes” or “no” was to the unfolding outcome of my life.  As I began to become familiar with neuro-positivity and living in an UpSpiral, I began to realize how significant a “yes” orientation to life is.  I began to learn that my entire life could lean in the direction of positivity and that the more I responded with a “yes”, the more I built up that response into the very cellular make-up of my body, mind, and spirit.  Saying “yes” to life is way different from a mere “yes” every now and then.  My personal example to this shift relates to my body and energy levels.  As I began to choose to say “yes” to life and to choose happiness over negativity and worry, I started to experience increasing levels of energy.  I started to loose weight, engage in regular exercise, and had the desire to physically move my body.  I truly felt (and continue to feel) energetic, alive, and vibrant in a way that I had previously long since forgotten.

#2.  Xeno Focus (What you focus on intensifies…) - Using the skill of adapting a Xeno Focus goes a step beyond the “Power of Choice”.  With Xeno Focus, one develops the ability to hone in on what one wants and desires.  As that focus intensities, the goal, object or desire comes into one’s field of influence.  One doesn’t have to work so hard at accomplishment or attainment as one’s sense of flow increases.  This is where the Law of Attraction comes into play.  Rather than being scattered all over the place and in a DownSpiral place of doubt or worry, Xeno Focus changes that energy to one of manifestation.  Xeno Focus assists with eliminating many of the distractors that complicate one’s ability to manifest or get things done.  Xeno Focus brings a clarity of intention to the process.  I began to activate my Xeno Focus during the “post-it” note exercise described in Promise 5 of the FuturePak process.  As I began to write down my wants and desires, I surprised myself by how easily things came to mind.  I continued applying my Xeno Focus to my goals, action steps, and Vision Statement.  My life began to come into focus and move in a direction that was personally meaningful, as well as highly significant for me.

Both of these shifts were not temporary “fixes” for me and have become sustained contributors to my living in a continuous UpSpiral state.

Dr.A wrote on Fri Apr 13th, 5:27pm:

We have been working with the UpSpiral, Emotional Scale, and VibeCore scores for some weeks now. We’ve taught you to distinguish between what you think and what you feel, and to begin to be able to clearly express those differences. In your blog post this week, take the numerical average of your UpSpiral score since you began this class, include that average as part of your comments, and write a DETAILED post setting forth CLEARLY what you think and what you feel regarding your score. Also as part of your post, summarize how your scores have changed, how what you think and feel about them has changed, and what tools you’ve been especially engaging to grow your score.

When I started the certificate course and learned the Up Spiral and its score, I stated a lower score than I thought I actually felt, because in the past 10-14 years I had done a lot of work on myself to make me healthier and happier. Gratitude is something I have always had in my life, and I now know it is one of my strengths. I started with a score of 75 thinking that would allow me to move up the spiral, even though at the time I thought I was about a 90.  The reality however, is that due to an injury that kept me mostly home for two years, because of a failed first surgery and damage to my vocal cords during the second surgery… I had slowly gone down the spiral.  Perhaps not to the down spiral, since I worked with the knowledge and feelings I had used before hand, but a definite lower state than I had felt in many years.  I realized that 75 was probably closer to how I had actually felt in the two plus years since my injury.  I am glad I used the tools I knew from my past to prevent me from going below 50, but even gladder that I saw where I was because of the UpSpiral and Emotional scores, and of course Strengths testing, which was crucial.  Once I identified where I was, I used the tools we learned such as the Emotional Gym to help me go up the spiral again, and be able to then proceed with a good Vibe Score, and a renewed energy to go for my goals, wants and desires.  In the past month, my UpSpiral scores have been in the 90’s, and hope to progress up to 100.  My average I would say in these ten plus weeks is about 85.  Not only is my score higher, but I have moved around some of my goals and added new ones to my list.  I am seeing much possibility for a future of amazing professional and personal goals and new adventures!

Tracy wrote on Sun Apr 15th, 7:14am:

Numerical average UpSpiral score since class began: 71
Numerical average UpSpiral score for April: 85

I feel proud of my scores. My first recorded score was 53, and my scores have been on a steady upward trajectory ever since.  I feel proud that I have kept myself out of the down spiral for the past three months.  I feel confident that I can keep myself buoyed in the 75 and above range indefinitely.  I think that I am doing better than I ever have in my life and I know that I am in control of how I feel. And I feel amazement and gratitude about being in emotional control.  I love being in a state of mind management and I love peace and calm that results from it.  I think that using these tools and experiences are life changing and I think that I will continue to use and appreciate them for the rest of my life.  I believe that I can sustain this state indefinitely.  Originally I thought my US score wasn’t so great and I worried about keeping myself above 50, and I hovered there for the first week.  But when I look back and review how far I’ve come, the challenges I have faced in the past three months and how I have managed myself through them, I realize that these tools and this system is sustainable, and necessary to my well being.  I find it challenging to keep myself in strong emotional form when I am out of my routine. As someone who has been in a different time zone each of the past three weekends, I find I am out of my routine quite often. A strategy that works for me in using a variety of neuropositive tools is taking external events and using them to prompt the use of a tool.  Since I spend a lot of time driving, one “game” I play is attaching an emotion to pulse by car type that drives by.  So an SUV means pulse “hope” and a truck means pulse “gratitude” and a sedan means to pulse “peace” and so on.  I can get myself excited anticipating the next car and jumping to pulse the emotion it signifies. This game intensifies the emotion.  Another example of using an external event—yesterday I was at the beach watching the waves roll in; it was somewhat stormy and the waves were wild and breaking frequently. I used that to experience “just this” – to empty my mind and have the experience of the waves, the wind, the salt spray and just “be” there instead of letting my mind wander through and around all of the thoughts it likes to explore.  It was challenging because staying with “just this” required focus and discipline instead of allowing my mind to mirror the agitation and stimulation of the waves.  Alternatively, I use through my strengths of Curiosity and Interest In the World, Input and Love of Learning to follow up on links on research and websites about positive psychology. I love knowing more about the field and learning how much research is being conducted. I feel peace and joy and certitude thinking about all of the inquiring minds at work discovering new aspects of neuroplasticity that will enrich the lives of all in the world (which my strength of connectedness appreciates!).

khalberg wrote on Sun Apr 15th, 9:45am:

My average UpSpiral score throughout this class is about a 91.  I began in about the 80 range, (although prior to starting I believe I was probably closer to the 70 range during the week!  Just the act of enrolling in a class despite my financial situation raised my scores, since love of learning, intellection, input ideation, and maximization are all strengths that flourish through learning new concepts, especially when they were aligned with my passion for neuroscience, positive psychology, & principles of quantum physics. Lately, I’ve had many 100 days, which brought the average up higher.) 

I think that the daily practice and focus on the emotional gym has kept my zeno focus on positivity, and led to the broadening and building of my resources so that yesterday, when the tip of my finger was bitten off accidentally when I reached in to (successfully) break up a dog fight, I was able to reach out to my support system, pulse peace and love as my boyfriend kept encouraging and talking to me as he drove me the 25 minutes to the hospital, remain positive throughout my four hours at the ER,  and express gratitude and appreciation to the people that helped me. 

This morning, I am still in an UpSpiral!  I believe that the universe will support me through this unexpected challenge, and I know that my family and loved ones will continue to support me any way they can.  Even though I am sure that the recovery process will send me some challenges, I know that I have the tools to keep me in an UpSpiral. 

I feel calm and peaceful, curious about what is next, and infinitely grateful that it was just a finger tip, that I was supported by my family and the staff in the ER yesterday, and for yet another beautiful spring day here on the Peninsula.

Katherine wrote on Sun Apr 15th, 5:45pm:

When I reflect on my UpSpiral, Emotional Scale and VibeCore scores over these last many weeks I uncovered several insights.  Over time I have had a fairly steady score with an average of 97 for my UpSpiral. It is interesting to reflect back on how the scores changed over periods of time as if they are building blocks to a higher level of happiness.  I went from blocks of 90 and you can see how I tentatively started raising my score 95, 96, and 99 as I became more confident in my ability to understand and apply the material we have learned over these many weeks.

For me, I think an average score of 97 represents a high level of happiness that sustains itself through most of my days.  In the beginning of the UpSpiral calendar exercise I was concerned about noting a score too high thinking that it would mean this is as good as it gets.  I wanted to make sure I left room for growth.  I even remember asking about this in class one evening.  It took me about 8 weeks to have the courage to write 100 each morning.  Once I realized that my happiness set-point can increase and 100 today may be a different thinking and feeling state tomorrow I took the plunge into the UpSpiral vortex of happiness.  It is like a growing garland of positive states that seep out of my core bringing me to a higher UpSpiral. More importantly was the thought that I create my UpSpiral score each day.  This thinking is what led me to consider, why would I write down a lower score each morning as I start my day”? If my UpSpiral is not based on external events then the only alternative is that I control my score. 

I feel empowered by my ability to create an UpSpiral life each and every day.  I wake up feeling eager to sculpture the day by etching my vision in my Plans for the Universe journal.  I have a sense of gratitude that extends beyond the stars as if there is no longer room inside me to contain it.  With certitude I go into the day secure in knowing the universe will send me a sign that is a surprise. There is a radiant feeling that shrouds my being as if I am matching the Sun’s rays, ray for ray.  All of this makes me feel a sense of serenity, a peace that my life will be everything I can image.  As I come off the highest mountain of my UpSpiral I feel refreshed and ready for the next round of happiness. 

On a final note, I do want to share that I do not always stay in the UpSpiral state that I start each day in.  I have noticed slight variations as I move through the day and many times my score is dependent on events or thoughts I may have.  The primary difference from when I started to today is that I am aware of these changes in my state of mind.  There is an immediate invisible net that catches the negative event or thought and seizes it from my mind like a quick snare-net that has captured its prey.  I look forward to continuing the process of living my optimal life.

jlongo wrote on Sun Apr 15th, 7:15pm:

Khalberg - Situations such as yours are a true test to see just how quickly we bounce back. Just as Dr. Larkin says, remaining in an UpSpiral gives us the ability to master a state of positive emotion. We just have to choose to live there. That alone is a large challenge! I’m happy to read from your post that this is indeed what you chose. It’s a great feeling when we can put this knowledge into action and I enjoyed hearing your success implementing these tools.  I wish you a speedy recovery, and will send positive thoughts your way. Good luck!

neuromind wrote on Sun Apr 15th, 8:44pm:

My Average US score is: 82

How My Scores Have Changed
I Think my scores reflect my learning journey at ANI. My US scores started in the mid-70’s, and − despite a medical situation − have steadily been on the rise. I noticed that my US score was easier to keep steady and grow upward. In contrast my ES scores have fluctuated more − especially in the beginning of this training − before adding tools that would assist me in directing these wiley feelings. As I remain in an UpSpiral I Feel good, encouraged, and proud. It’s like I’m discovering that I am a determined warrior, in my hand I hold my sword of neuropositivity; it helps cut through the smoke that I once believed came from a scary dragon, and now I see it was only illusion. When I put my laser focus on what’s important to me… the fog clears… and I WIN.

Now, the top priority in my life is to find ways to stay positive and stay in the UpSpiral. That’s my Zeno Focus… I run everything through that lens and it’s making a difference.  I’m learning how to use positive feelings as a way to navigate my life. Tracking my daily scores has increased my awareness of where I’m at. I see that my feelings have been directly tied to mostly external situations; I’d feel elated when some positive external event would happen, and when negative winds would blow, my feelings would be blown around just like the leaves in the trees. Now, 12 weeks in, I’ve learned to direct my mind.
I am DETERMINDED to stay in an UpSpiral.

One thing that’s helped me stay in UpSpiral is Just This. It has helped me to focus on one thing at a time, step-by-step. e.g. when I am in an important meeting I focus on just that activity (and not tripping over possible future happenings). This helps me keep a clear mind and a calm body, and remain in UpSpiral. 

How can I feel better? In tracking my scores I noticed there was a gap between my US and ES and so I focused my attention on closing that gap. I didn’t “work hard” on it; I practiced being easy with it, and just thinking that I wanted them to match. On a regular basis I would think about what I could do to feel better, and my actions would follow. By week 8 I closed the gap, and on most days, they now match.

Being Clear on What I Want
Time to break out my ANI tool box! (Great timing by the way) This week an opportunity showed up and I need to make a decision on what direction I go. Is it in alignment with where I’m directing my life? Or is it a tempting bit-of-bling that glitters and distracts from my path? Does it allow me to come from my strengths or would it be like swimming upstream?

I wasn’t sure what to do. Initially I was enthusiastic about a new project, enjoyed the idea of creating something new, and was thankful to be considered for the opportunity (strengths of Positivity, Creativity, and Gratitude). However, I also felt conflicted. So I consulted with my wall-of-wants… where I put all my post it notes. I read each note, reminding myself of what I want to create in my life. Most of what I saw was not a match; in fact it goes directly against some of my goals. So unless I get a sign from the universe showing me how it is on my path, and in alignment with my neuropositive goals, I think my decision is clear. It may be a great opportunity for somebody, and it’s probably not the right fit for me.

I believe saying “no” to this opportunity − which offers “security” on a one year project − would be a radical thing for me to do. So what would I be saying “yes” to? It means I’d be strengthening my positive neural pathways… the ones I want to strengthen. The ones that support my evolving belief that even if I can’t see it, what is most meant for me will come. To reinforce the message of flow, that is, I don’t need to work hard to make things work… I can be in flow. I can pick projects that are more closely aligned with my goals and strengths, and it is THERE that I will thrive.

jillangeldavis wrote on Sat Apr 21st, 12:30pm:

    My UP average is 77.  Initially I was disappointed, but I know that it reflects a person who is willing to take on new challenges in order to flourish even in the midst of an already heavy allostatic load. I also know that it reflects authenticity and I am proud of that. I am happy with the gain of small steps. I am moving in a heliotropic direction and deeply appreciate my sense of orientation and where I am in the UpSpiral. Being in the UpSpiral in and of itself helps me know that I am headed in a health giving direction. I know that if I can do what I have done in the low end of the Upspiral, that when I am consistently in the higher range of the UpSpiral I will be in flow like a force of nature. I know how to grow my score higher. This tickles me. One way is to be more consistent with my new morning practice of noting how I intend to use my strenghts for the day. This practice really quiets and focuses my mind. My scores were intially low and as my awareness of what I had control over grew, my UpSpiral score grew.
    One of my strengths is gratitude, and each day that the Universe brings me a sign that I recognize as a surprise, I am in awe. My time with ANI has been an intense period of mindfulness and learning to use new tools. Another way I will grow my strengths is to be more consistent with my daily practice of the zeno principal, the hands prayer, and looking through the lenses of my strengths. I have paid attention through the ANI lenses, to my own thoughts, and my interactions with others.
    Learning to use the ratios of 3 to 1 or 5 to 1 has caused me to scan and note the pearls of the day. Directing my zeno focus to scan for the 100 positive hits in a day also helps me stay in my UpSpiral.
    My median score is an 84 and that reflects how I feel now. I am getting better with reading where my vibecore is directing me and moving in the direction of self flourishing, radiant people and flourishing systems. As I continue to write my wants on the sticky notes and think about my future, I have a more complete sense of my self, there was a time that I could only imagine my life three years out, but by constantly writing down my desires, I have shifted from being a ship drifting at sea merely making the best of everything, to that of being able to hoist a sail and chart my course. I feel like everything that I have ever done has brought me to this moment of transition. Preparing to complete the future pac project is like stacking the ladder for the high jump and taking the leap with the certitude that this experience with ANI is a benchmark on my path. My Up Spiral score is a 95 when I think of this.