TO CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING Your own interpretations of Creative Psycho-Cybernetics may be slightly different from ours or stated in a slightly different way. But to check your understanding you may want to compare the following answers to your own.289. PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE : LESSON ONE . ANSWERS 1. What does Psycho-Cybernetics mean? . It means steering your mind to a productive, useful goal. 2. How do I discipline myself to use psycho-cybernetics? By using your imagination creatively as follows: You live in the present today determined to have one thought at a time, one goal at atime, seeking goals within your capabilities. You practice without pressure, without tension, relaxed as you go for your goal, concentrating on it, keeping your eye on the ball, imagining you're reaching your goal, refusing to let fear sidetrack you. 3. What is the servo-mechanism? Itis a goal-driving thought of the midbrain and nervous system which is programmed by the mind and then operates spontaneously, subconsciously. 4. What is necessary to make the servo mechanism function? Clear-cut goals, objectives or problems. 5. How are these goals placed in the mechanism? Through mental images which we create by use of our imagination. 6. Whats the most important mental image to place in the servo-mechanism? One’s key self-image. Success. 7. What happens when we feed the servomechanism with inferior or unworthy information? The mechanism has no choice but to make us operate in an inferior or unworthy manner. Com- puter operators use an expressive symbol, “GIGO,” which means “garbage in, garbage out,” the garbage is put into a computer comes out as garbage. When garbage is put into our servo- mechanism, we can only operate it in a “garbagy” manner. 8. Isthere such a thing as a creative mechanism? Yes, when you use it to succeed.290. PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE oo See 9. What is the self-image? The mental blueprint or picture of the sort of ‘Person you are. 10. How much of our lives are ruled by the self Allour actions feelings, behaviors, even our abilities. We ac like the sot of person we con- ceive ourselves to be. 11. If our lives are ruted by self-images, how can we change ourselves? the confidence of past successes to achieve your present goal. 12. How do we know our self-image is right? When the self-image is intact and secure, we have a wholesome pride, self-confidence, the ability to express and be ourselves, to function at our best. 13. How do we know when the self-image is wrong? When the self-image is threatened, we feel anxious and insecure. When it is an object of shame, ‘we ty to hide rather than to express ourselves. Creative expression is blocked. We are hostile, 14. Why do we act, feel or perform as we do? Because of what we imagine is tue about ourselves and our environment. For example, if Iseta Goal and utilize the confidence gained from past successes, I'll achieve that goal. 15, How much does will power have to do with changing myself and changing my self-image? Very litte, The key power is imagination. To illustrate: Imagine walking @ 12-inch plank on the living room floor. No problem. Now visualize two 20-story buildings with a narrow alley between, Place the plank across the alley and try to cross. What happens to will power? 16. How does the brain know the difference between an imagined or actual experience? {i doesn't differentiate; it reacts to what we think or imagine is rue regardless of whether this belief is right or wrong.17. 18. 19. 21. 291. PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE Do I react to my environment as it actually is or to what my beliefs tell me it is? Rightly or wrongly, I respond to whatever I believe is true. How can I use my imagination to help me succeed? By vividly imagining the successful achievement of a desired goal and evoking the confidence from past successes in present undertakings. In this way, I can keep confidence intact, utilizing it whenever I want. Instant confidence. How can imagination cause me to fail? By using it to call forth pictures of possible failure, Whenever I say, “I’m going to act this way tomorrow,” what am I doing? ‘You are procrastinating. You must remind yourself that creative living is living now, not tomor- row. : What are the four cardinal points of relaxation that will become natural to me as I progress in my study of Psycho-Cybernetics? A. Forgive others B. Forgive yourself C. See yourself at your best D. Keep up with yourselfPSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE LESSON TWO ANSWERS 1. When is my automatic guidance system most dependable? When it is given definite goals. 2, How should these goals be programmed? By visualizing the end results and remembering to do only one thing at a time, not to jam and confuse your goal-seeking mechanism. 3. What effect does intense concentration sometimes have on the ways and means of accom- plishing goals? Itmay block the mechanism. 4. How are goals made vividly and sharply defined? By thinking of the result in terms of a present possibility so real it seems to exist now, then going about the business of achieving it. Thus it is a combination of thinking and doing 5. What is my “goal” when I have feelings of anxiety, fear, inadequacy or humiliation? Failure. 6. Does the nervous system react differently to a real experience than it does to one that is ividly imagined? The nervous system reacts the same to both, 7. Does the winning feeling cause me to operate successfully? No, but it will stimulate your self-confidence. 8. How do I acquire the habit of success? By doing things at which you can succeed. And you can’t achieve greater success in your field if you limit yourself to your present training and capability. Remember, you have the potential to achieve many, many goals. 9. What causes failure feelings, fear, anxiety, lack of self-confidence? Your attitude. Underestimating possibilities. sss293. PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE 10. What can I do about failure feelings? ‘You have the choice of ignoring or accepting them. You must realize that there will always be failures, but success means the capacity to rise above these failures. 1. How can evil be overcome with good? Use positive imagery to flood the mind and crowd out the evil. 12. If retain the “I hope nothing happens” attitude, what will this do to me? Iwill generate chronic worry. 13, What happens when I help others to get a winning feeling and thereby improve their self- image? ‘You improve your own. 14. What choice do I have in playing back memories? ‘You can select the happy successes or the unpleasant failures. The choice is yours; you are com- pelled to decide between success or failure.294, PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE LESSON THREE ANSWERS . What is the concept of happiness in Psycho-Cybernetics? Happiness is the one commodity that multiplies by division. By that we mean, the more I share ‘my happiness and good fortune with others, the more comes back to me. - What is the old, puritanical idea of happiness? The more I deserve to be happy, the happier I'll be. But the truth is, you will always deserve to be happy. You don’t have to ask anyone for permission to be happy. . What does unhappiness accomplish? Unhappiness extends the trouble that caused the unhappiness inthe first place. It increases the bad aspects of the situation. 1. How is happiness cultivated? By programming happy ideas, thoughts and attitudes into my success mechanism. When will I find happiness? Now! Iris a mental attitude, You must eam and experience it now or never. Don’t save up for it, five it. What is happiness? Happiness is a state of mind in which your thoughts are pleasant the greater share of the time,295, PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE LESSON FOUR ANSWERS 1. How do I know I have a success personality? When you deal effectively and appropriately within your environment and gain satisfaction from attaining goals which are important to you. 2. How do I acquire such a personality if I don’t have one? ‘You must develop clear-cut ideas of the direction you need to take. Establish realistic goals, create a vivid picture of the self-image you desire and of the end results you wish to attain. 3. What words do the letters of “success” suggest individually? Sense of direction Understanding Courage Compassion Esteem Self-confidence Self-acceptance nwamanan 4. Whats the danger of achieving an all-important goal? Letdown, loss of momentum. 5. What's necessary once an important goal is reached? Have other goals or sub-goals to pursue. 6. Why do I feel lost, aimless, purposeless? You have no worthwhile goals. 7. Why must I have goals? ‘You are built to conquer environment, to solve problems, to achieve goals; without these, you have no sense of direction. i CPVSSQO*e*S*!S|sSeeseseeeeseeeatatsarnnrnnananrnnannu.296. PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE 8. What are the ingredients for a strong sense of direction? A goal worth looking for, a project or a cause, Making your decision as to what you want out of the situation. Imaginatively re-visualizing your goals. 9. Why isn’t the other person necessarily wrong when he reaches ‘an opposite point of view from the same facts? He may be responding sincerely to what he believes is the true interpretation of the same facts. 10. What causes most of my failures in human relatios! ips? Misunderstanding, lack of meaningful communication. You must remember the words of Anatole France: “It is better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot.” 11." In trying to reconcile clashes of opinion, what questions should Task myself? How does this appear to the other person? How does he interpret and feel about it? Why does he act the way he does? Is your own interpretation correct? 12. How do my opinions distort the facts? ‘You can read hostility and malicious intent into the innocent words of others, 13. What is necessary for me to see the truth? Willingness to admit you were wrong. And it doesn't matter who is right, but what is right is what truly counts. 14. When I have made a mistake in understanding, what then? Accept it as negative feedback and change your course, 1S. IF Thaye a sense of ditection, goals and understanding, but nothing happens, what's wrong? You lack the courage to act. 16. Will my problems just go away if Tignore them? No, they usually get worse. But if you tackle them boldly, they usually diminish. _297. PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE 17. Do Ineed a great crisis to demonstrate courage? Daily'living requires courage. By handling little things, you develop the power and ability to act, courageously in times of crisis. 18. How do successful people relate to others? ‘They recognize that others have the right to have their own desires and needs. 19. What happens when I feel more compassionate toward others? You become more compassionate and forgiving toward yourself. 20: What does it do to my own self-image when I grant others their rights? It will make you feel more deserving of an improved self-image. 21. Whatis my deadliest pitfall and trap? ‘Your own self-esteem. 22. Why is this so hard to overcome? Because you have created it with your own beliefs. You have dug the trap with your own hands. 23, Is “humility,” in the sense of holding a low opinion of myself, a virtue or a vice? A vice. Looking at yourself as defeated, a worthless object of pity and injustice, is false humil- ity. True humility is the capacity to understand shortcomings and to accept success without conceit. 24, How do Limprove my self-esteem? Build an adequate self-image, stop dwelling on your self-pity, appreciate your own worth, and above all, appreciate other people. 25. Why does misery come from being too hard on myself? Because you are often trying to assume a phony role. 26. How do I become myself? Realize that your old self-image is false. Change your mental picture of yourself to what you really are,27. 28. 29. 30. 298. PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE confidence built on? Past successes. What increases self-confidence when I tackle a new task? Calling up feelings associated with former successes. Do these have to be major successes? No. Even small successes can be used as steppingstones to greater ones. ‘What technique is to be used in connection with these successes? Develop the habit of remembering them and forgetting failures, Adopt the technique of athletes who forget the failures of yesterday and concentrate on being successful in the present.PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE LESSON FIVE : ANSWERS 1. What are the symptoms of failure? F Frustration and Futility Aggressiveness and Anger Insecurity Loneliness Uncertainty Resentment amar D> Emptiness . How did I originally acquire these symptoms? ‘You mistakenly adapted them as ways to solve difficult problems. But they became inappropri- ate. They are no longer useful. They should be discarded. . How do I change my response to failure? ‘You must create a new self-image and recognize that the old responses no longer fit. |. What are good methods for ridding myself of the pressures built up by frustration and mis- direction? Physical exercises, particularly hitting something like a golf ball or a tennis ball. Or you can write a furious letter, then destroy it, ;. What contributes to feelings of inadequacy? Measuring yourself against unrealistic standards, the ideal, the absolute, the champions. What does uncertainty come from? ‘The fear of making a mistake. You must lear to accept mistakes as lessons. /. How does resentment affect my personal freedom? Tteauses you to tum control of your life over to other people and other situations.PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE 8. How can resentment become a way of life? When you attempt to make your failures palatable by blaming unfair treatment or injustice. ‘When you take the false satisfaction of feeling that you are a martyr. 9. What is the value of recognizing my failure symptoms and negative feelings? ‘They can alert you to danger so that you can take corrective action by substituting opposite, positive factors.301. PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE LESSON SIX ANSWERS 1, Why do I act, feel or perform as I do? Because of what you imagine is true about yourself and your environment. 2. What does will power have to do with this? ‘Very litle; the key power is mostly imagination. Let me illustrate it this way: Imagine walking a 12 inch plank on the living room floor. No problem. Now visualize two 20-story buildings with a narrow alley between. Place a plank across the alley and try to cross. What happens to + will power? 3. How does the nervous system respond to the difference between an imagined or actual experience? - Itdoesn’t differentiate; it reacts to what we think or imagine is true regardless of whether this belief is right or wrong. 4, How can I use my imagination to help me succeed? By vividly imagining the successful achievement of a desired goal and evoking the confidence from past successes in present undertakings. In this way, I can keep confidence intact utilizing it whenever I want. Instant confidence. 5. How was my present self-image formed? Through the various interpretations placed upon your environment and your experience. 6. How can I build a new self-image? By visualizing and experiencing new productive goals. 7. What happens when someone tells me I’m dumb and I believe him? ‘You are literally hypnotized. You feel that you have to act dumb to be consistent with the self- image programmed into you. 8. What is the best way to change old beliefs or habits? ‘The same relaxed, effortless way in which you acquired them in the first place.9. 10. i. 12, 13. PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS STUDY GUIDE ‘What is better than will power or effort in breaking a habit? Form 4 clear mental image of the desired end result and practice without effort to reach that goal. ‘What is the principle cause of inhibition? Inhibition is a form of holding yourself back. It is caused by excessive negative feedback, the fear of making a mistake. What does excessive carefulness lead to? Inhibition and anxiety. ‘What assumptions should I have about Psycho-Cybernetics? ‘That you change your self-image by vividly imagining clear-cut goals, and that you can become disinhibited and shed your false faces. If I decide to change my self-image, what should I do first? ‘You must take a personal inventory to make sure that you know what your real self is.