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How Change Occurs
Part II: Creative Visualization and the Personal Paradigm Shift

by Patricia F. Hare, MAT, MA

The technique of creative visualization is a new paradigm technology. It allows us--in very fundamental and practical ways--to take advantage of the participatory relationship between an observer and the observed that is implied by the discoveries in quantum mechanics. Those who learn to use this technique in their daily lives will undergo, without exception, what Marilyn Ferguson describes as a personal paradigm shift.

Why is this necessary? Why can't we just learn the technique and get on with our lives, like when we learn math, or to play the piano, or anything new? Here's why: We're not just learning a new skill; in order to apply this skill we must also learn a new perspective from which to view everything. Recall from Part I of this article: A paradigm shift takes place when (a) things are viewed one way, then (b) new information comes in and (c) the way things are viewed changes in response to the new information.

(a) This is the way things have been viewed: Reality exists independently of the observer.

(b) This is the new information: Reality boils down to the consciousness that is observing it. 

(c) This is the new way things are viewed: Reality is intimately connected to the observer.

Your reality isn't "out there" (I'm pointing to thin air), separate and independent from you. It's "in here" (I'm pointing to your head), intimately connected to your observing mechanisms. Want your reality to be different? Then you must learn to participate in the relationship; you must learn to observe differently. 

Creative visualization teaches you how to participate in the relationship and observe differently, allowing you to create a new reality for yourself. You've heard this expression before: You create your own reality. Quantum mechanics is explaining how. As you come to understand, accept, and use this information, you will begin to view the world in a very new way. Your beliefs about what is true, what is effective, and what is of value will all be altered in response to this new information. 

Is this an exciting and uplifting process to go through? You bet it is! But it can also be confusing and frustrating, at times. As you learn to see the world differently, it is enormously helpful to have an idea of what to expect along the way. For each of us, the details of our experience might be very different but the pattern of change will be very similar. Let's take a look.

As experienced by an individual, the paradigm shift might be compared to the discovery of the "hidden pictures" in children's magazines. You look at a sketch that appears to be a tree and a pond. Then someone asks you to look more closely--to look for something you had no reason to believe was there. Suddenly you see camouflaged objects in the scene: The branches become a fish or a pitchfork, the lines around the pond hide a toothbrush.

Nobody can talk you into seeing the hidden pictures. You are not persuaded that the objects are there. Either you see them or you don't. But once you have seen them, they are plainly there whenever you look at the drawing. You wonder how you missed them before. 

~from The Aquarian Conspiracy (p.30) by Marilyn Ferguson (Tarcher, 1980)

The hidden pictures analogy Ferguson gives marvelously describes the before and after dynamic of the personal paradigm shift process: Before, the world looks one way; after, the world looks another. It's the same world with the same content, but your interpretation of what you are seeing has changed. You see more than you did before and, with practice, your eye becomes increasingly adept at picking out the "hidden" pictures. 

To make a personal paradigm shift, you must be ready. Others can give guidance; they can attempt to show you the outlines of objects hidden in the picture, but you must be able to discern the new shapes. And when you do, it's an "Aha!" moment. The new perspective has clicked in your brain and you will easily see the new shapes from then on. In fact, it will be very difficult to go back to the old interpretation of the picture, where you only see the tree and the pond. Even if you put the picture away and forget about it for some time, when it crosses your path again you will remember that there are hidden pictures in the scene and find yourself seeking them out.

The personal paradigm shifting process is a mirror of the cultural paradigm shifting process. So let's briefly review the steps at a cultural level and then take a look at how each of those steps might be experienced on a more personal level. The steps are:

1. New data is gathered (as a part of the quest to figure everything out).

2. Sufficient amounts of new data are gathered to challenge the traditional framework/world view/paradigm.

3. A crisis develops that cannot be adequately addressed via the old framework. In response, a new framework is developed using the new data.

4. There is a period of conflict between the old and new frameworks. Old "frameworkers" refuse to take the new framework seriously.

5. Over time, proponents of the old framework die off as proponents of the new framework embrace it. When critical mass is reached, the new framework/world view/paradigm takes dominance, ushering in a new historical age.

6. In time, the process repeats itself.

Guess what. You are already participating in step one: gathering new information. The simple fact that you are this far into a two-part article on paradigm shifting proves it. 

New information is gathered for many different reasons and comes to us in many different ways. We might simply be curious explorers, stumbling across (well, actually, there is no such thing as "stumbling across," but we'll get to that in another article) new information that attracts our attention. Or we may have a friend who reads a lot and talks about what they read. Or we might discover some new information in the context of our work. Or we might have an unusual experience that has no easy explanation. Or we might simply see something on TV. Or we might want something very passionately in life, but be completely frustrated in our attempts to achieve it using traditional methods. However it comes to us, and whatever the reasons we are receptive to it, the new information gets our attention. 

However it comes to us, and whatever the reason we are receptive to it, the new information gets our attention.

This data gathering process usually happens over a good span of time. We read, we think, we discuss, we contemplate. We read some more, we think some more, we discuss some more, we contemplate some more. We might try on some ideas to see how they fit. We might look for models to see how the ideas play out in the lives of others. We might take a class.

In the beginning, we may simply be curious about the new information. We may not have any clue as to its deeper impact upon us over time. Exploring it might be like a hobby. Or maybe we sense that the information will yield some problem-solving insights, so we dig deeper. Perhaps we just take mental notes as we encounter more new information, slowly filling pages in our minds over time. 

As the second stage gets going, things start to grow. The new information that isn't rejected during contemplation starts to put down roots. And as it puts down roots, it starts to compete for space with some of the old ideas we have taken for granted for so long.

Here, most people experience a discombobulating period of challenge to both the old and the new ideas. Our reflex reaction is to hang onto an old idea. But our inner being is urging us to reach for the new idea. Every area of life, be it relationships, work, parenting, finances, politics, even religion are possible arenas for conflict between the two camps.

For example, I remember going through a great deal of angst over the issue of authority. I had been raised, above all else, to follow the rules and respect authority. Yet in adulthood, I had begun to question if those in authority could really know--better than I--what was best for me. I had eagerly embraced the "new" idea that my life experience was the result of the creativity of my consciousness. Yet a fear lingered on that somehow I was going to get in trouble if I took the position that I was capable of such a thing.

It can get pretty uncomfortable and cramped inside our hearts and minds, with all the old ideas holding firm and the new ideas taking root. But don't worry, there will be a crisis along soon to help in the shifting process.

Please understand, I'm not talking about breaking the law. I'm talking about who decides what is right or wrong for me. Who decides what I am or am not capable of; what I should or should not do? Who decides if I am a Creator--or "not worthy to eat the crumbs from beneath Jesus' table?" Could I really count on myself to make the best decision for myself regardless of what others thought or said? Did I dare attempt to be my own authority?

This is probably the most difficult step in the process of paradigm shifting. Remember what Marilyn Ferguson wrote, "...you can't embrace the new paradigm unless you let go of the old." It can get pretty uncomfortable and cramped inside our hearts and minds, with all the old ideas holding firm while at the same time the new ideas are taking root. But don't worry; there will be a crisis along soon to help you get through this step in the paradigm shifting process. 

I was in my late 20's when I experienced my paradigm shifting "crisis." (That was 20+ years ago.) I left my marriage and my job--I even left my state. There wasn't any one incident provoking all this leaving. It was more like a build-up of awarenesses. I do remember coming to two profound realizations: 1) I wasn't happy, and 2) I was entitled to be happy. Looking back, I can see that it was my way of creating a "do over." Up until then, I had made life choices based upon what I thought I should do. Now that I was seeing myself as the creative force behind my life, well, by golly, I was going to create a life--by my definitions--worth living. And I did. And I still am.

But this didn't happen quickly or easily. There was a mighty struggle between the old me and the new me I was reaching for. I would guess that the "crisis" period lasted a year or more. It wasn't a weekend event! And it didn't occupy my life every moment. But it was there, building, carrying me forward, causing me to think and make decisions, until I reached the point where my choices were to break down or move forward.

Mostly it is because of our stubborn resistance to letting go of the old, familiar ways of being that the growth and development of new ideas reliably lead to some kind of crisis. We are forced to choose between the old and the new. At some point it becomes more painful to stay the same than it is to change. When that point comes, most of us will choose to change. And at that moment our personal paradigm shift truly takes place.

Few people are able to see a crisis as a gift. But it is. There we are with one foot in the old world and one foot in the new. Sooner or later a crack in the earth develops beneath us and slowly it begins to widen. We can straddle both worlds for awhile, but eventually we are forced to make a choice--this side or that, old paradigm or new. If we don't, we will surely fall into the expanding crevasse below. You've no doubt heard the story about the Chinese character for "crisis" being made up of the characters for "danger" and "opportunity." Well, the Chinese, on this at least, have got it right.

Crisis opens the door for us to take action that we otherwise wouldn't take. When facing a crisis, we are forced to cull out from our minds the most effective response that we can think of. Not necessarily the nicest response, or the one that won't make waves, get us in trouble, be criticized by others, or upset the status quo. A crisis renders all that irrelevant. If we are not paralyzed by fear, a crisis will propel us forward, motivating us to stand up and say or do what otherwise we would find too difficult to say or do. 

At some point it becomes more painful to stay the same than it is to change...most of us will choose to change. At that moment our personal paradigm shift takes place.

In fact, by the time things have gotten to the crisis stage, choosing a new path based upon the new perspective will often feel like taking the easy way out!  But others will see it differently. Oh, you are so brave. Oh, I could never do that. It must have taken such courage. Well, maybe. Or maybe it just takes a crisis to get us off our duffs and get on with what we need to get on with.

And what we need to get on with is creating our lives from the new perspective. Everything that isn't working needs to be addressed from the new paradigm. Our dissatisfaction with "reality" is all the information we need to know there is a need for change. As we view our lives from the new paradigm, the direction for change is often very clear. Finally, the fulfillment we experience as a result of this change is clear feedback affirming that we are on the right track.

In the fourth stage of the process we learn to validate ourselves. This can be difficult, at first, because we are accustomed to looking to others for approval and reassurance. The new paradigm isn't yet the prevailing view, and most people won't know what you are talking about when you tell them, "Reality boils down to the consciousness that is observing it." (O-kay.)

People tend not to feel very comfortable around other people--or ideas--that seem too different. Remember, the implications of quantum mechanics are so radical that even the quantum physicists who are bringing these ideas to light don't feel all that comfortable with them. We shouldn't expect our friends and family to all line up to hop on the new paradigm bandwagon.

And, trust me, they won't. You could use the new information of the new paradigm to create for yourself a fabulous new job, meet the man or woman of your dreams, pay cash for your new mountain and beach vacation houses, loose that last 10 pounds (finally!), and come up with a terrific, viable plan for world peace, and they still wouldn't take this "new paradigm" stuff seriously--if they aren't ready to.

That's okay. The goal is not to change others or the world; the goal is to change OUR individual worlds. As we do, others notice. They may notice that we are happier. They may notice that we get more of what we want out of life. They may notice that our relationships are improving -- or maybe just that they enjoy being around us. 

That's okay. The goal is not to change others or the world; the goal is to change OUR individual worlds.

I have learned from experience that if I demonstrate strength of character, live in alignment with my values, and share my humor and love of life with others, people respond favorably to me no matter what my beliefs about reality may be. It is when I have attempted to offer this information to people who aren't interested that problems can arise! 

And the temptation to do this is great: You want those you care about to gain the rewards that you have by exploring this new perspective. Not only that, these ideas clearly give some direction for making the world a safer and more wonderful place. Spreading the news seems like the right thing to do! Why, as soon as we all "get on board" the new paradigm, we can make this world the wonderful place we know it can be. Right? Well, perhaps. (But remember, there's a step 6 lurking in the future.)

The beauty of the new paradigm of consciousness is that it is such an individual, personal experience. We don't have to wait for everyone else to get it before we can more forward and live in that more wonderful world. Think of it as a self-paced movement into the future. It's definitely a "happen' thing," and each year more people become aware and part of it. They join in in the ways and to the degrees that suit them best. 

"Science advances one funeral at a time." -- Max Planck

This one is pretty self-explanatory from the cultural point of view. This is how the old paradigm fades away and the new paradigm takes hold--Step 5. But how is there a parallel at the personal paradigm shift level? Surely it won't require the dying off of various aspects of our lives!

In my experience, no. There will, however, be a good deal of letting go. For example, you will need to let go of things that hold you back in the old paradigm way of thinking. Perhaps some of your friendships will change. You may have less in common with some people in your life and desire to see them less often than you used to. You may also gravitate toward new friendships with others with more similar outlooks. For example, if you have a friend who is always looking for something to complain about, you might find that you benefit from spending less time with them. At the same time, you might make a new friend that tends to look at the sunny side of life first.

And your priorities for the use of your time may change. You may want to spend more time reading, taking classes, or engaging in other new activities. This might mean going to the movies, "partying," or window shopping less. The future that you desire to create for yourself will give guidance as to things you might want to do to bring yourself closer to stepping into that future. For example, you may decide to go back to school, having decided that you can and will get that better job that you want. Or you may join a reading club, take up a new hobby, spend more time cooking nutritious food, or any number of other activities. Once you see your life as something that you create, the way you spend your time and energy takes on new importance.

Perhaps the biggest area of letting go, however, will take place in that area between your ears. 

As the old, limiting thoughts and feelings get less attention and new, more expansive thoughts and feelings get more attention, the balance of power within will change. You, the viewer of your reality, will begin to observe more and more evidence of the new reality you are working to create. This gives you more confidence in the new view, which causes you to more easily see evidence of the new reality, which creates more confidence, which causes you to more easily see evidence, etc., etc. As the teacher Abraham says, "The better it gets, the better it gets."

At some point a critical mass is reached, and the new paradigm/framework/world view takes dominance. You may wake up one morning, realize what a great day you have awaiting you, and realize that the person you once were with the troubles you once had feels like a distant memory. 

I especially like this quote of Plank's, because he explains that the process takes care of itself. We don't have to get rid of the old scientists who have stubborn, entrenched ways of thinking. We simply need to do our work, breaking new ground, and let the past fall away. The same with our personal lives: We simply need to do our work, create our new experience, and the past will fall away on its own.

Some good news: There will probably be only one major personal paradigm shift in your life. (If you are lucky, you might have more.) But your paradigm shifting is far from over. Life will continue to bring you new challenges, new opportunities, and new experiences. The difference will be in how you observe these and how you choose to respond to them. With each new challenge, opportunity, and experience faced, you carry yourself to new levels of growth and experience.

One major difference in my own life is how I respond to problems. I used to see problems as things that came at me from the outside. They were someone's fault (usually not mine). Or they were bad luck. Or they were because I was a woman. Or the Universe was playing games and "toying" with me. Or...you get my drift. Now, when problems come up (rest assured, they still do!), I realize that they come from within me. I don't look around for someone to blame (well, not usually). What I do is ask myself, what am I thinking, feeling, or believing that is being reflected for me in my reality? In other words, what is this problem trying to tell me about myself? About my consciousness?

As I begin to understand the message of the problem, I work to make changes in my thoughts and feelings, and use creative visualization to bring about a new experience which is more to my liking. And I expect that's what I will do and will enjoy doing for the rest of my life. As I become more accomplished at this skill at a personal level, I am able to expand my abilities at the level of community. As my abilities at both personal and community levels continue to expand, I expect I will connect increasingly with others who are doing the same. As our connections increase, so will our ability to co-create. And who knows what will happen then?

Well, for one thing, new data will be gathered...   

--by Patricia F. Hare   Copyright © 2003

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