How To Save Your Marriage Or Relationship

Has your marriage or relationship been hitting a few "speed bumps" (or potholes) lately?

Or could your love life just use a little more JUICINESS?

Doing just ONE THING, in particular, could add new life to your relationship.

Discover what that "one thing" is below:

Dear Larry,

A few months ago, my marriage of 24 years was in serious jeopardy. I was very frustrated with my wife as I was with my self. My wife was spending an enormous amount of money and time on releasing, so much she was hiding it from me. She has attended just about all your seminars, owns all your books, cd’s, and any other tool she feels necessary to get the most out of releasing. I was at ends. My wife had NO time for me, only releasing and her releasing partners. I was hurt and jealous. My wife was gone every month or so on seminars. All her vacation time is now being spent at releasing seminars and retreats.

The more I didn’t understand, the worse it all was getting. We both were resisting each other so much, our 24 years of marriage was falling through the cracks. So one day, as you may remember I called you up in a bit of rage. I wanted answers and wanted them now.

After a few minutes of ranting and raging, you started to explain things to me. You told me the reason why my wife was doing all of these things and not including me in her life was because of “my resistance”. The reason she feels the need to spend so much money and attend ALL these conferences is because of my resistance. I took a serious look at myself. Could this be possible? I am not the one who is spending all my time with others; I am not the one who is spending enormous amount of money. I am not the one flying all over the country to all these seminars. How could this be my resistance???? Over the telephone you worked on my relationship with me. In minutes I began to open up and understand. The more I worked on disapproval, the better I started to feel.

I started to send my wife approval over and over, and when she returned home from work that day, it was like I had my lover back.

Immediately, we began to work together. We released together, worked on attachments and aversions, and began giving each other approval. We take time out of our day each morning to work on releasing together, every time we talk on the phone we work on releasing. We are currently working on the Relationship Course, releasing all the garbage that has wedged this resistance between us. We are both signed up to go to the Scottsdale seminar as not only husband and wife, but releasing partners. I am so looking forward to this time with her. The divine love I am feeling toward her is stronger than it ever has been. I am now able to feel love anytime I desire it. Today as she attends the week long seminar in Monterey, we have talked, text messaged, and sent each other approval all day. She is calling me at every break sharing her gains. It’s like a little kid running home with a good report card.

Finally, I have her in my life sharing every little thing together. It is beautiful. We both are so excited of our journey toward freedom.

The total love I feel for her anymore is fantastic. The love and approval I can now freely give myself has opened the door of not only releasing, but has strengthened our relationship. Actually, I no longer have a door or window to allow my self to release freely; I threw it away, and now just have this giant glowing hole where I can freely release 24x7. The Apathy, Grief, Fear, Lust, Anger, and Pride I once was feeling is no longer. I am fearless. I am whole, complete, and total unto myself. Everyone and everything is part of my self. It is all perfect….

We spoke this morning on the phone, and neither of us could even come up with anything to be disapproving of. NOTHING. Talk about gains. So we simply gave each other love and approval, and began the day in total joy and happiness. What I consider the ultimate gain is the one I have achieved. That is the gain of love. I continue to give myself and my wife love and approval. What a difference this has all made. What I feel now is that when I love, my whole life is in harmony. So I feel totally at peace and happy that through releasing. I can only imagine how much higher I or should I say we, can take this. I can only imagine how powerful we both can be working together towards total freedom. Thank you, and God Bless.

Patrick Carr

###

Isn't that beautiful?

That was written to Larry Crane, creator of the Abundance Course, yesterday.

Can you see why I am so enthused in sharing the Abundance Course with people?!

The Release Technique changes lives.

Just by letting go of disapproval and by giving unconditional approval to yourself and your loved one, everything can shift like magic.

Just try it.

You may not be ready to have more love and joy in your life.

You might be quite contented being dissatisfied.

Or... you might just be ready to try something new --

http://theabundancecourse.com/abundance_course.htm

Love,

Peter

P.S. Happy St. Paddy's Day!

For Total Success, Just Say "Yes"!

For Total Success, Just Say YES!

by Peter Michel
Part 1 of 2

Are You Saying YES or NO to Abundance?

Most of us think we are saying “Yes” to abundance when, in fact, we are stuck in resistance and wanting, which always equals a resounding “No” to our subconscious.

How then are we to expect abundance if we are constantly pushing it away unconsciously?

We can't reasonably expect it—because we haven't allowed it in. We've basically slammed the door in its face.

Larry, at one of his Final Step Retreats, said the word allow may very well be the most powerful word in the universe.

I agree.

How much effort does it take for you to allow yourself to have, be or do something?

Answer: It doesn't take any effort at all.

And yet, that is the only way we ever got anything in life.

We allowed it to come into our experience.

Unfortunately, we often put ourselves through a lot of painful contortions (effort) prior to simply allowing ourselves to have it!

Sound familiar?

The problem most of us have is we often never get to “Yes.” We are forever trying to figure out “how to get rid of” all the “No's.”

Getting to Yes within ourselves is a lot like sales .

When it comes to “selling” ourselves on a goal, it is same way we would sell an idea, product or service to someone else. We'd simply listen to any objections—all the “No's”—and knock them out one by one.

The difference, though, is with “selling” ourselves, all we need to do is release the objecting feelings that crop up within. Those inner objections take the form of a “no” or a “maybe.” Every “maybe” is actually a “no” in disguise.

All of us are in some kind of sales. We may not be selling products or services, but we are constantly selling or attempting to sell our opinions, ideas and viewpoints to others.

The next time you're looking to sell something to someone, instead of relying on typical and often manipulative strategies, try releasing instead. It works far more powerfully.

Use releasing to overcome your own “inner objections” instead of worrying about your prospect's objections.

If you don't have any inner resistance, the answers they need to hear will come from within you spontaneously and effortlessly.

As they try to “feel you out” during your “pitch,” they won't feel resistance from you subconsciously telling them it's not okay to “buy.”

They'll only feel love/acceptance from you and will thus have a feeling of trust.

It's almost always our own unconscious resistance, fears and doubts that people pick up on and object to—and not necessarily the product, service, idea, opinion, etc, we are presenting.

We do the same thing with our own goals. We try to sell ourselves on them and yet, are objecting to them at the same time.

We haven't sold ourselves on them. That's why they are still hanging out as unfulfilled “wants."

It's like dealing with an insurance salesman who comes to your door wanting to sell you a policy, but he's coming from a place of doubting that you will actually buy anything.

You immediately pick up on that doubt and say to him, “No thanks" and quickly shut the door in his face.

You gave him exactly the answer he was expecting you to give him.

That's what you've been doing with your own goals .

Instead of being the insurance salesman who says to himself, “I doubt he'll buy it,” you've been saying to yourself, “I doubt I'll buy it.”

Silly isn't it?

We should be our easiest sale because we already know our own objections! But, we never knock them out. We stay stuck in the “no's” and never get to the “yes.”

Right now, take a look. What is something you really WANT?

Write it down.

Have you been trying to figure out what to do about it or how to get it?

Most likely you have. That's why it is still a want and not a have .

Trying to figure out how to solve a problem or achieve a goal has never helped a single person in the entire history of our planet to solve a problem or achieve a goal.

The only way we ever got the answer to any problem was when we finally “let go” and stopped “trying to figure out what to do about it” and then the solution came to us.

This is much like how we forget a person's name, struggle for a few minutes to remember it, then let go of trying to figure it out and it pops into our head a few minutes or seconds later.

Same exact principle.

You got it because you let go of “wanting” it.

So, now... do you still WANT that thing you mentioned above or are you willing to LET GO , say “YES!” and finally HAVE IT?

There are no “Yes, maybes,” or “Yes, buts,” there is only “Yes!” That is the only answer that will work.

It doesn't even have to be an emphatic YES! It can just be a very simple “yes” which is nice, calm and clear.

No energy required.

Just a solid, “yes” with no “no's” or “maybes” hanging around muddling up your “yes.”

If you can't quite give a clear “yes” to the goal you wrote down, the following exercise will help you get to that “yes.”

Try this right now:

1. Read your goal statement silently or aloud.
   
2. Ask yourself, “Could I say ‘yes' to having this goal?”
   
3. Notice any resistance that shows up. If you didn't get a clear “yes” and instead felt a “no” or a “maybe,” welcome that feeling of resistance and let go of wanting to change it. In other words, say “yes” to the resistance.
   
4. If there's no resistance and you get a clear “yes,” then congratulations. Just hold onto that “yes” and feel that “yes” whenever you think about your goal. It will show up for you in no time. Holding onto the grateful feeling of “Yes, it is mine. Thank you!" is a VERY FAST way to achieve any goal.
   
5. Keep repeating steps one through four above until you feel nothing but a clear and grateful “yes.”
6. If there's still not a pure “yes”, then look for any “no's” to NOT having the goal. We must be okay with having it and with not having it. If you resist not having it, then say “yes” to not having it—otherwise, you will be unconsciously focused on “not having it” and thus manifesting more of the “I don't have.”
7. Once you're in acceptance with not having it, bring your focus back to the “yes” of having it and keep it there.

The law of creation is simple. What we think about is what we get. Once you clear the resistance to having and to not having, you are free to focus all of your attention on having and then it must come to you.

A good final check would be to ask yourself, “Could I say ‘yes' 100% to having this goal?” and “Could I say ‘yes' 100% to NOT having this goal?”

If you're okay on both sides, then that's it. Just hold the feeling of having the goal and it will show up.

That's all there is to the art of manifesting all your dreams and desires in life, and to healing whatever needs healing including a sick body or pocketbook.

Ultimately, there's only ONE step…

Just say “YES!” to everything you have been wanting in life, and let go of the “no's” and the “maybes” and you'll have it!

Think you can do it?

Let's try it out.

Pick a goal you would like to achieve in two weeks or less and apply the steps above and then relax and allow it to show up.

Perhaps, a monetary goal is something you'd like to achieve.

If it's a money goal, try this: “I allow myself to have $100 or more by saying ‘yes' only.”

If $100 is too low, start with $500, $1000, $10,000, $100,000, etc, depending on your current Personal Money Matrix (discussed in previous newsletter).

Perhaps money isn't your primary goal. Perhaps the healing of a health problem would better describe your current ambition. Or maybe there's a long-standing relationship issue you'd like to resolve. Perhaps you've had a problem or fear hanging over your head for months. Or perhaps you are interested in spiritual, mental and emotional freedom. These would all be good goals to work with.

Phrase what you want in the positive such as “I allow myself to say ‘yes' to perfect health and vitality!” or “I allow this situation to be resolved quickly and easily in the most positive way for all parties involved.” Then run it through the steps above.

If you don't get your goal in a week or two, then look at the “Six Steps of Releasing,” which are toward the back of your Abundance Course workbook. See which step is off and get it back on track.

Most of us go off on the very first step which states…

“You must want imperturbability more than you want approval, control or security. ”

If that isn't the case, don't go any further because you'll never let go of the “wants.”

You can also do an attachment and aversion exercise to having the goal. But, really, the 7 steps listed above should do it for you.

That's the bottom line to achieving any goal. It is simply a matter of saying “yes” to it, with no “maybes” or “no's” around.

Can you do it?

Yes :)

Please write to Larry once you achieve your goals, or to me if you have any questions about “saying yes.” Please email us at gains@releasetechnique.com.

We love to read your success stories and—with your permission—share your gains as inspiration to your fellow graduates.

In the next newsletter we'll discuss how to use “The Power of YES” for increasing LOVE and for accelerating HEALING.

The Global Importance of Releasing

Most of us who are using the Release Technique are spiritually-attuned and wish to support others and make the world a better place.

But, really, the only effective way to do this is through releasing.

Pretty presumptuous, huh?

Look, all our efforts at "fixing" and "changing" the world haven't worked. Isn't that blindingly obvious?

It's just more ego. It's "wanting control" and "wanting to change" things, instead of letting go and letting God/Beingness handle everything.

Lester Levenson would say that the one who is totally free in his or her Beingness was doing more good for the world sitting in a cave than all the parliaments and all the non-profit organizations combined.

How could this be?

Truth / Silence speaks far louder than words and actions.

If you are seeing wars, famines, abuses of power, poverty, etc, then you need only change your picture. It is only your picture "out there."

Don't like it?

Change it by letting go of wanting to change it.

- Peter

Announcing a Free 5-lesson Abundance Course

I just put up a new Free Five Lesson Abundance Course you can sign up for at http://www.TheAbundanceCourse.com.

It is based on Lester Levenson's life story, which is a very compelling story and touches on all the basic principles of the Release Technique.

I also put up a page discussing effective Stress Management, as there seems to be some misunderstanding as to what stress really is and how to effectively manage it. In fact, why manage stress when you can completely eliminate stress with releasing?

Check out the free Abundance Course / Release Technique lessons and the stress management page and let me know what you think by posting a comment.

- Peter

Lester Levenson on "Demonstration"

Release Newsletter
Lester: Speaking on
"Demonstration"

Why is it that some people seem to get everything they want with very little effort, and yet others find themselves struggling day in and day out just to make ends meet? If you've every wondered about this and thought that there must be an explanation, then you'll be happy to know there is.

Below is a partial transcript of a talk that Lester Levenson gave on "demonstration"—on bringing what we focus on into existence. It is transcribed from the tape titled "Lester on Will Power," and is one of the bonus tapes included with the Abundance Course:

"Whether we are aware of it or not, everyone is controlling matter all of the time. Whether one wants to be a 'demonstrator' or not, he is. It is impossible to not be a creator all the time. Everyone is creating every day.

"We're not aware of it because we just don't look at it. Every single thought materializes in the material world. It is impossible to have a thought that will not materialize, except that we reverse it. If we say the opposite right after we have a thought, with equal strength, we just neutralize it. But any thought not reversed or neutralized, will materialize in the future, if not immediately. So this thing of demonstration that we're all trying so hard to do, we're doing all the time, unaware of the fact that we're doing it. All we need to do is to consciously direct it, and that we call demonstration.

"Everything that everyone has in life is a demonstration. It couldn't come into your experience had you not had a thought of it sometime prior. If you want to know what your sum total thinkingness is, it is exactly determined by what's around you—what you have—that's your demonstration. If you like it, you may hold it. If you don't, start changing your thinking. Concentrate it in the direction that you really want, until those thoughts become predominant. And whatever those thoughts are will materialize in the world. And when you begin to demonstrate consciously—small things—you may then realize that the only reason they are small is because you don't dare to think big—that the same exact principle or rule applies to demonstrating a penny that applies to demonstrating a billion dollars. The mind sets the size.

"Anyone who can demonstrate a dollar can demonstrate a million dollars... businessmen. Become aware of the way you're demonstrating the one dollar bill and just put six zeros after it next time. Take on the consciousness of the million, rather than the one dollar bill.

"This relates to what I'm saying that there's no difference between the material and the spiritual when you see it. The material being just an outprojecting of our minds into what we call the universe and the world and many bodies. And when we see that it's just an out-projecting of our minds—that it's just a picture that we have created—we can very easily change it...instantly.

"So, to repeat, everyone is demonstrating—creating—every moment that he or she is thinking. You have no choice. You are a creator, so long as you have a mind and think."

Lester goes on to talk about how if we only thought of the things we want, that that is all we would get. However, this is not so easy. Our thoughts are usually habitually negative, and therefore it is often difficult or nearly impossible to focus on what we want without countering it with a negative thought in the opposite direction of what we want just a few seconds later.

Lester knew this, and so he gave us the Release Technique as the solution. With the Release Technique, one can easily release the negative programs from the mind that keep us habitually focused—both consciously and subconsciously—on the things we do not want.

When we release these negative programs, our minds become quiet and focussed, like a laser beam, on what we DO want. From there, it becomes effortless to have what we want. There is no need to struggle for it.

The belief that we need to "work hard" or "struggle" to have what we want is just another program, which is fostered very much by society. But, this is just a myth. In truth, if we believed that all we needed to do was to crow like a rooster twice a day in order to have abundance, then we'd crow like a rooster twice a day, and we'd have abundance.

But, this is so unbelievable to most, because we've been so conditioned to believe that we must work hard to have what we want. Many have apparently seen, in their own lives, that if they work harder they seem to get more (sometimes). And so, they end up attributing their receiving of more abundance to the hard work, when in reality it is due to their acceptance of more, which they have actually predicated upon their "hard work."

Many people feel they must work hard to "deserve" abundance, or that "money won't come if I'm just sitting on my butt." But, we must challenge this assumption. If it was hard work that brought abundance, than the ditch-digger would be the wealthiest.

We challenge you to spend some time doing nothing but sitting on your butt Releasing all the negativity that you've suppressed (we'll show you how), and tell us how your week went. You'll likely tell us it was an absolutely incredible week, where everything worked out perfectly---effortlessly.

We don't expect you to believe anything we say here. But rather, "take it for checking." It other words, try it out in your own life and prove or disprove it for yourself.

The law of the universe says that likes attract. So, if you are positive, you will attract more positive. And, conversely, if you are negative and feeing lacking, you will attract more lack. Hence, the saying, "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer." It is completely in our thinking—in what we are focussing on—rather than in how much effort we put into trying and struggling, which determines what we get.

If you haven't yet taken the Abundance Course, we invite you to try it out and put it to the test. Prove it or disprove it for yourself, rather than make assumptions from your past societal or parental conditioning.

You have nothing to lose—except your limitations, and you have everything to gain. How would your life be if you no longer had to scratch for a living like a slave? How would it feel if you knew that you were 100% in charge of your own thinking, instead of your thinking and programming running you all over the place? What is something like that worth, if you could even put a price tag on it?

If you've already taken the Abundance Course, then we invite you to read further to learn about the Goals & Resistance Course, designed by Lester.

Really Going For It: The Goals & Resistance Course—An Advanced Course for Graduates

If you are an Abundance Course graduate and are ready to supercharge your Releasing, then the next step is to take the Goals & Resistance Course.

This course was designed by Lester to corner our resistance and help us see where we run and distract ourselves from our feelings. It will show you exactly where you are sabotaging your success. And then it will give you the tools to dismantle this resistance. It's not always easy to face down subconscious resistance, which is why we pair you up with a Releasing partner who will help you stay on track and help you get the most out of the course.

If you don't have abundance after taking the Abundance Course, it's only because you are still holding onto wanting and there is still subconscious resistance to having.

Lester knew that we all had a lot of subconscious resistance. If we didn't, then we'd have everything we want in life. It's the subconscious resistance that's sabotaging even some who have taken the Abundance Course. Lester knew about resistance, so he designed the Goals & Resistance Course to corner your resistance so you can see it, and then knock it out.

Speaking with graduates who are in the middle of this six-week advanced course is always inspiring. They are usually flying high as a kite and feeling very open, free and unlimited. They tell us they have never felt so free in their entire lives. We know what they mean—we've done the course, too.

We receive many testimonials from graduates of the Goals & Resistance Course as they begin achieving their goals with an even greater ease. One goal that is given in the Goals & Resistance Course, which you can get to work on right now is, "I allow myself to have $100 or more by Releasing only." If $100 is too little, then move the decimal point and make it $1,000 or $10,000. Start with something your mind can reasonably accept, and then keep moving the decimal point over after you reach each goal.

As you read the goal statement, use the Release Technique as you learned in the Abundance Course to knock out any attachments or aversions to having the goal drop into your lap without any effort on your part. Then, let us know how it went.

We don't know anyone who the Goals & Resistance Course has ever cost any money. It gets more into the "butt system." Graduates start learning how the mind works and that it's only creative, so that if you are holding in mind wanting, which is lack, you are creating lack for yourself. When you let go of wanting, you move into having. There is no suffering in having.

Learn more about the Goals & Resistance Course.

How To Break Out Of Prison

How To Break Out Of Prison
In Three Easy Steps
"Lester's Secret To Freedom"
by Peter Michel

All of us have our comfort zone. This is the prison set for us by our ego. In fact, one way to describe the ego is the "prison guard" who keeps us confined to our comfort zone.

Your comfort zone is where you feel most comfortable and where there's little resistance. Some have a larger comfort zone than others. The larger your comfort zone, the greater your freedom and latitude, and the greater your success and happiness in life.

Many of us are actually more comfortable in lack than in abundance; more comfortable in turmoil than in peace; more comfortable in unhappiness than in joy. Where have you set your comfort zone?

The moment you try to push past your comfort zone, you experience resistance. That's the ego-mind and its programs (feelings) keeping you imprisoned.

Most of us are unaware of the bars of our self-imposed prison, which are invisible and impenetrable, except by those with extraordinary will, and then often only for a very short while before willpower collapses under the weight of ego resistance.

In order to escape from this prison, you first have to recognize that you're in a prison. If you don't know you're in one, then you'll remain ever bound and unaware of the true freedom that lies outside the prison walls.

How to escape from prison

A daily exercise that will help us escape from our mental prison is "stretching." As often as possible, we should give ourselves a mental stretch past our comfort zone. And, a stretch is just that, a stretch. It should not break us.

You will know you are properly stretching yourself when it feels like you are trying to drive with the brakes on. The moment you take your foot off the gas and stop exerting willpower, the car will come to a grinding halt. It might also feel like you are pushing up against a wall or a clutch shows up in your stomach or chest.

If you are not actively stretching yourself and feeling resistance, then you are stuck in ego. You won't usually experience resistance when watching TV shows or partaking in other distractions, because you aren't challening the limits of your ego's prison bars.

The moment you stretch yourself, you should fully expect the resistance to come up so you are prepared for it. This way it is easier to welcome it fully.

Once you welcome it, simply allow it to release either directly or through the three "wants." Each time you do this, you will be actively dismantling your ego programs that form the bars of your invisible prison.

Where have you set your comfort zone?

• In your relationships?
  Are they emotionally distant or loving?
  
• In your finances?
  Are you thriving or barely surviving?
  
• In your overall level of happiness?
  Are you happy or relatively unhappy?
  
• In your health?
  Are you healthy or sick?
  
• In your degree of inner peace?
  Are you peaceful or disturbed?
  
• In the overall balance in your life?
  Are you balanced or out of control?
  
• In your living situation?
  Is it ideal or merely tolerable?
  
• In your exercise program?
  Do you exercise or are you a couch potato?

Rarely do we deliberately stretch ourselves past our comfortable mental climate to see if we can make ourselves comfortable in other climates. In other words---we like our lives to be lukewarm and are stuck living a "room temperature" existence.

A tropical life

Perhaps this is why many of us envision the idyllic life in a tropical environment with a warm sun and cool breeze swinging on a hammock under a palm tree and blue skies. Step outside of that comfort zone and we go, "Brrrrr, it's cold!" or "Wow! It sure is hot!" and then quickly return to the comfort of what is most familiar to us. This would explain the popularity of tropical cruises. But, you can't escape from your prison this way. It just reinforces it. Many of us have become quite adept at attempting to escape our mental prisons by taking vacations. I guess that's why we often call a vacation "an escape" but it really isn't. It's just a distraction.

What if, instead of mindlessly remaining in your preset comfort zone, you actively sought out a little bit of discomfort in order to expand your freedom? What if you actively stretched yourself to spend some time in the hot or cold areas of your life where your resistance is the greatest, and allow yourself to become comfortable there, too, by releasing your resistance to it?

When you do this, you are increasing your freedom. You are, in essence, saying "NO!" to your prison bars and "YES!" to a greater freedom of expression as you begin to reclaim your Infinite nature.

The prison bars will remain until you face them and dissolve them through releasing. Until then, you take those prison bars with you everywhere you go---even on vacation, to the mall, to the movies, food shopping, watching TV, reading a book, while having sex, while eating, while working, while sleeping, etc.

You can't escape the prison you cannot see. Avoiding it and pretending it isn't there is like having a virus in your computer and moving it from room to room thinking that will get rid of it. But, this does nothing to delete the virus, and the virus certainly won't delete itself.

To fully experience the freedom and happiness that Lester knew, you need to be willing to ACTIVELY stretch yourself---to look for where you are comfortable and then consciously stretch out past that comfort zone until you feel some resistance. And then, welcome the resistance fully, let go of wanting to change or control it, and then let it go. Each time you do this, you knock out one of your prison bars. Eventually, there are none left and you are completely free to roam in any direction you choose without resistance or fear of being beaten by the prison guard (your ego).

What are some ways you can stretch yourself?

1. Set goals and achieve them by releasing only.

2. Notice situations or people that make you feel uncomfortable and release your resistance and discomfort until the situation or person no longer bothers
you.

3. Set the temperature of your bath or shower a little hotter or colder than you're used to and let go of any resistance this stirs up.

4. Exercise. If you're not currently exercising, start with at least 15 min/day and use it as an opportunity to release your resistance.

5. Feel more love and happiness. Notice how much you can handle before it becomes uncomfortable.

Let us expand on these a little:

To expand on the first method, goals were the primary method Lester suggested we use to overcome our resistance. The Goals & Resistance Course explores this method in depth. The Goals & Resistance Course is a 6-week intensive course done with the support of a releasing partner assigned by Larry Crane. Lester recognized that we all have resistance and so he prescribed releasing on goals as the best way to corner our resistance so we can move beyond it.

The second method can be used throughout your day. As you go through your day, look for situations or people that make you feel uncomfortable. And then, instead of shying back into your comfort zone, dare to reach beyond it. If you feel scared or shy or anxious, decide to be courageous and release your resistance until the situation no longer bothers you. If someone is annoying or upsetting you, see them as doing you a huge favor. Use the opportunity to become imperturbable with them instead of blaming them for your negative feelings. A great way to dissolve our resistance to others is to simply say to them silently, "I love you, I love you," no matter what the other one says or does. This love will bring them your way and melt your prison bars. No need to resist anyone, even ourself, just love. It's the ultimate resistance dissolver.

The third method is a simple way of overcoming resistance by putting our physical body in a little bit of temporary mild discomfort. No need to go to extremes with this. Just stretch yourself a little bit outside your comfort zone. If you normally like your bath water warm, try it a little cooler. If you like it cool, then try it a little warmer. Don't scorch or freeze yourself. Just stretch yourself a little. Notice the resistance this stirs up and let it go. Feel the clutch in your stomach or chest and let it go until it becomes just as comfortable to be in the new temperature as it was at your usual "comfort zone" temperature. No need to use extremes in any of these exercises. That will only tend to increase our resistance to a point where we find it difficult to release. Just take small steps outside your comfort zone and let go of the resistance bit by bit.

The fourth method, exercise, is another way to use our relative level of body comfort to overcome resistance. Are you clutching as you read this and consider the possibility of getting some exercise? Good. That's a prison bar you are ready to break through. You don't need to stretch yourself too far with this either. Just some walking is fine if you spend your day behind a desk. Or, if you are already exercising, perhaps increase your intensity or duration a bit. Notice the resistance and release it. This isn't advice, just an example. Check with your doctor first to make sure it won't strain your body too much and use your common sense. For example, don't run a marathon if you have a heart condition until you first heal the heart condition and get your doctor's okay.

The fifth method is wonderful for increasing our overall happiness and freedom. Most of us have a preset level of happiness and love, just as we have a preset level for everything else. The only way to increase our level of happiness is to push beyond these limits by stretching ourselves. Notice your interactions with people. How loving are you? Could you increase this feeling of love? Notice any resistance that arises and allow it to come up to release. Could you love even more? Could you allow yourself to be even happier? How much happiness and love can you stand? Keep releasing your resistance to find out. Stop settling for mediocre levels of love and happiness. Go for extremes here, stretching yourself to love more and more. Find out how unlimited your happiness and love are. As you do this, your whole life will improve in every way.

Bars that can be seen or felt… are bars that can be broken.

By now, some of your prison bars should be quite obvious, as is the method of escape from them.

To recap, the 3 easy steps to break out of prison are:

1. Recognize that you are in a prison of your own making called your "comfort zone"

2. Gently stretch yourself past your comfort zone daily and welcome the resistance instead of fighting with it.

3. Release the feelings of resistance using the Release Technique.

If you get stuck, just let go of wanting to change or control the stuck feeling. That will get you moving again.

Enjoy your freedom!

Releasing works fast

From: Peter Michel
To: W.K.
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: Weight Loss Abundance Course

Dear W.K.,

Congratulations! That's wonderful. Thanks for the update.

Everything improves the more you release. The effects are cumulative.

Just wait until you get into letting go of the three "generators" of ALL negativity and limited thinking. The more you let those go, the faster everything is released. Knock those generators out and you'll be dissolving "gobs" of built-up negative suppressed feelings you probably weren't even aware of. You will reach a place of inner quiet and imperturbability much faster than by letting go of feelings or thoughts one by one.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Kind regards,
Peter

----- Original Message -----
From: W.K.
To: Peter Michel
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 2:42 AM
Subject: Re: Weight Loss Abundance Course

hi Peter!!!!

It came yesterday. I'm already on Tape 2. I'm surprised such a "silly" ritual works so well, but I find myself feeling smiling and cheerful. When I felt myself slip into a negative pattern this morning, I immediately did the releasing thing and recognized, hey, that's just a habit, it's not real at all!

Thank you SO much for adding in the weight loss stuff. Per the directions, I need to be at Tape 5 to begin it. I can't wait!


Thank you again.

W.K.

Releasing vs. Other approaches

From: "Peter Michel"
To: "D.E."
Subject: Re: [Release Technique]
Date: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 8:36 PM

Dear D.E.,

No, to both questions. The Release Technique is a powerful and original system developed by Lester Levenson. It is not a take-off of any other method or course.

The Release Technique brings deep and long-lasting benefits. Neither of the two methods you mentioned is, to my knowledge, nearly as effective in removing the long-standing suppressed tendencies (emotional programs). So, even if you find yourself in a better mood temporarily or reach your goal once or twice, the seeds of negativity still remain, buried beneath the surface, waiting to sprout and sabotage your future happiness and success. The Release Technique allows you to scorch the seeds of future misery by knocking out the "root" programs that create all lack, limitation and suffering.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Kind regards,
Peter

Afterthoughts (5/25/05):

“Tickling the amygdala” might very well be an effective method for some to temporarily get themselves out of reptilian brain-stem “fight or flight” mode and into the frontal lobes to enjoy more of the “stay and play” mode. However, I am unaware of its ability to truly eliminate deeply entrenched patterns and tendencies, which are like grooves in a record and which can be quite stubborn. It is possible that getting yourself “high” by “amygdala clicking” might help you to become witness the programs running and thus, begin dumping them. But, in my own experience, I don’t think that’s going to be the case with very many people. Anyone with experience in such matters is free to write me with your views on this. P.M.

----- Original Message -----
From: D.E.
To: 'info@abundancecourse.com'
Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 12:16 PM
Subject: [Release Technique]

I am interested in purchasing the [Abundance Course]; I have just two questions I would like for you to answer:

1) Does this method have anything to do with the "Amygdala" in the brain ??

2) Does this method have anything to do with "Visual" imaging ??

Thanks
D.E.

* E-mail edited to protect privacy.

Quieting the mind

From: Peter Michel
To: E.M.
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 5:08 PM
Subject: Re: [busy mind]

Dear E.M.,

Sure, call me with any questions: 201-424-8653.

We sometimes have classes in your area. You can keep up with our class schedule at http://www.releasetechnique.com/live_classes. Also, being a graduate, you will be notified of upcoming classes through our monthly e-newsletters.

The “Ticket to Abundance & Bliss” exercise is toward the front of your Abundance Course workbook. And yes, it can be several of the three generators (wants). You can ask yourself, “Which one could I let go of first?”

Kind regards,
Peter

----- Original Message -----
From: E.M.
To: release@releasetechnique.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 4:46 PM
Subject: Re: [busy mind]

Peter, I really like what you're telling me and plan to call and order the "How to be in Release" tape...is that where "Tickets to Abundance and Bliss" exercise is? I do have some questions, which usually my Zen teacher can answer, but would not mind "talking" to someone in your place...on the Abundance tape Larry doesn't say that many times the response can be all three, or two of the three. Used it today after a long day of working/listening yesterday and I can certainly see it works, the release, just need to get the "habit"... Plan to call in the morning and order the "How to be in Release."If there is ever a group thing in my area (or not too far) I would love to do one. Haven't done a session in [city] because I really can't sit that long and even so, only in a chair. I live in the [deleted] area...

Thanks for your responses and Peace to you too,
E.M.


----- Original Message -----
From: Peter Michel
To: E.M.
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 5:57 PM
Subject: Re: [busy mind]

Dear E.M.,

The tape costs $15 including shipping and can be ordered through our website or toll-free order number.

Nothing will quiet your mind as fast as releasing. It gets you out of figuring things out and out of the habit of beating yourself up. Use the "Ticket to Abundance and Bliss" exercise to quiet your mind fast.

Releasing strikes at the root of all mental noise---desire. When that is released, the hundreds of suppressed feelings and millions of thoughts stirred up by those feelings are dissolved. Feelings of separation (pride, arrogance, wanting to be alone) and feelings of insecurity (wanting to survive as an ego, mind, body) are the core feelings that motivate all others. Eliminate these and you eliminate all "out of control" feelings, all "lacking approval" feelings, and all the "AGFLAP" they stir up.

If I can support you in your own peace and freedom in any way, please let me know.

Peace,
Peter

201-424-8653

----- Original Message -----
From: E.M.
To: release@releasetechnique.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 3:39 PM
Subject: Re: [busy mind]

Peter, thank you so much...I really have a problem with a busy mind, running from it any way I can...maybe I should order the "How to Be In Release." I've only been doing this for about two weeks, sharing the Abundance tapes with my son, a dedicated Zen student who goes out to [city] for sessions three and four times a year...[Zen teacher] is retiring this year, though no doubt will continue with her work until the end, a wonderful woman at 88, still teaching, exercising, etc. Sometimes I think nothing will stop my mind (except me, of course.) I am not young so there is a lot to sift through, but I certainly recognize the truths in the tapes...and I have been a Zen student for sixteen years, fifteen with [Zen teacher]. As she told me yesterday, she had to work it through on her own so it took longer. Self-punishment seems to be my big problem (approval, ei yi yi). Reminds me of a line from a Karen Horney book a long time ago when one of her students said, "now let's work on the self-hate.) Well, I know this is all addressed in the Abundance tapes...I guess I'm in too much of a hurry, though I have spent many hours now working on the first 9 (I think that's what I am up to or down to.) Also am a writer, which no doubt is why I'm going on here. Let me know how much the tape you mentioned runs and how I can order it.

Best (and love too),
E.M.

From: Peter Michel
To: E.M.
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 2:58 PM
Subject: Re: [newsletter]

Dear E.M.,

I have added you to our graduate e-mail list. You should begin receiving newsletters very soon.

Yes, the course is wonderful. A real gift. I am happy to hear about the recommendation from your teacher. The teachings are certainly very high teachings, having come from an enlightened teacher (Lester Levenson). They have helped many people, including myself, tremendously. I have found no better or faster method for quieting the mind. The mind drops into silence with just a few releases. Without the suppressed feelings stirring up the mind, it can rest.

Larry's "How To Be In Release" tape can show you how to make releasing constant.

Let us know if you have any questions about the course.

Kind regards,
Peter Michel
201-424-8653

----- Original Message -----
From: E.M.
To: release@releasetechnique.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 2:30 PM
Subject: [newsletter]

Hi, I would like to get your newsletter, find out where courses will be and are being held besides the ones listed in the communications I received when I purchased the Abundance Course tapes, which I have not finished, continue to work on, not sure about gains yet, but definitely am finding the whole thing pretty wonderful. My Zen teacher, [deleted name], at the [deleted name] Zen Center is also using them in her teaching...very unusual as she is very, very clear about herself and her life but finds the tapes very useful and obviously Zen-like in their teaching.Thank you so much...I just have to learn/remember to release all the time...working on it.

Best and thanks,
E.M.

* E-mail edited for privacy.