I don’t often had bad dreams but last night was an exception (probably because of the medication I took to help deal with the effects of the wasp sting). It wasn’t a nightmare as such but it was disturbing and I woke up with an unpleasant feeling.
Drifting
As I lay in bed still half asleep and still feeling the effects of this upsetting dream, I started to think about something I heard through the internet yesterday. I had been cleaning the bathroom and as I was unable to listen to the radio there, I had been listening to a talk on my laptop. When it finished it automatically started playing another one about Quantum Theory.
Quantum theory
Although Quantum Theory is complicated and requires understanding several concepts I understand the basic premise especially the Double Split experiment (links to Wikipedia inspired by Eddie Izzard suggestion!). The Double Split experiment has been used by many to explain a Many-Worlds interpretation, which suggests that there are many versions of reality that exist at the same time. Some suggest that we are able to choose which version of reality we would like to choose and can switch from one reality to another.
I think it’s a huge claim to make that cannot be substantiated and although I don’t accept it as likely because there is no proof, I also remind myself of the billions of people who believe in a God (many versions of) where there is also no evidence. So, I’m not saying that this isn’t true but that it doesn’t feel true to me.
Beliefs
However, just as I’ve talked about things like the illusion of time and ‘Act as If’ in one of my previous thoughts, ‘Self Beliefs’, I was happy to explore the concept because in that moment I would have liked to have jumped from my present state into a better, ‘version’ of me.
So, I thought about it and realised that in a way it is true, lots of different versions of me exist. I am different when I am working in one of my professional roles, at home with Iain, playing with my grandchildren, speaking at an event, going to the doctors, running a laughter session etc. I am not fixed. People that know me in different contexts would describe me in very different ways, each true but unlike the other versions.
Many-World concept
So, playing with the ‘many-world’ concept I thought about which version of me I would like to go to and (this is probably the key part) how that would feel. In other words, what did I need to change to feel like that version? The main difference was my mood, which in that moment felt flat and a bit dark, there was definitely no sparkle there. So, I spent some time ‘thinking myself’ into this other version of me and it worked, and before too long I felt like the ‘usual’ me again.
Of course, had I got up and had a shower and some breakfast I would probably have got there anyway but the point is it would have taken longer. Not only that, but if I hadn’t been thinking about re-entering the happier me, I would have spent this time going back over the dream and feeling worse because I was still in the clutches of the disturbing dream.
As a technique
I think this is a technique that I can and will use in the future. There may be times when I need to call on the brave, strong, creative, energetic versions of me and by associating with the characteristics of them, I should be able to inhabit them at will. It also serves to remind me that I have been these versions at some time in the past and therefore I have must already possess these resources that I need.
It works, but not I think because this is Quantum Theory, but a great way to associate the mind and body with how one wants to feel in order to manifest it. It could be called other things like ‘setting one’s intention’, ‘acting as if’, ‘goal theory’ or others but I quite like the idea of ‘jumping’ out of one reality I’m not enjoying, and diving into another better one.
We do create our own reality with our thoughts, behaviours and actions and this concept is a reminder that we always have choices. We may not be able to change events and other people but if we change ourselves then everything changes anyway. (This was written by the writing version of me – other versions may disagree!)
Please note: I am an early riser and frequently wake up with thoughts and questions on my mind. I write them down and record them in these short unedited, un-researched, unscientific bits of writing. They are written in a half asleep hypnopompic state and should not be regarded as anything more than what they are – random thoughts and musings. For sensible subjects and writing please visit Positive Psychology Learning website.
