Can you choose who you want to be?
Many popular spiritual books and writings today advocate using the 'I am' statement. I loved the "Conversations with God" trilogy of books and found them deeply transcending. However Neale (the author) keeps repeating the statement 'choose who you now want to be' and it seems to have become a trend in many spiritual circles. But does it work?...

How do we apply affirmations?
The typical understanding of the word 'affirmation' and the way it is mostly applied in today's popular spiritual teachings is to use the power of thought to create the reality we might want.

The philosophy of Openhand is to live in the truth of what is, rather than to create illusionary realities of our own - the bubble will always burst at some point. However, does this imply that affirmations don't work at all?

How much is there to know?
We all know the universe is of infinite proportions. All the while people are digging deeper and deeper uncovering fantastic new realisations and discoveries. In our world there is an unquenchable thirst for knowledge in science, business and our private lives. But does this quest for knowledge lead anywhere? Does it advance who and what we are?...

What is 'Synchronicity' and how does it work?
To me acts of synchronicity are circumstances of apparent chance coincidence that are in fact orchestrations by the universe designed to reveal a message or guidance...

How do we overcome our addictions?
Decided to give up tea, alcohol or chocolate or to let go of that relationship that is no longer working? Are you applying a method to your endeavours or are you just hoping that your resolve will be strong enough? In my experience, mind lead resolutions simply deny what we are truly feeling and only a deeply honest confrontation and unravelling of our emotions can yield lasting change...

Can hypnotherapy be harmful?
I once overheard a lady expressing how powerful hypnotherapy can be. In recent years she had been grinding her teeth and so her doctor had taught her a self hypnosis technique to prevent it. I couldn’t help but ask “so why were you grinding your teeth in the first place?” to which she replied “because I hate my job and it stresses me out”!...

Has your discipline descended into drudgery?
Traditional thinking would have us believe that discipline is a good thing. Whether it be in sports, business or our private lives, commitment to a cause is mostly the only way to yield a positive result and so discipline is considered a powerful quality to ensure we manifest those things we are meant to. But does discipline lead to dogma? Does it not confine us to a particular set of actions and thoughts? Is there another way of looking at discipline that does not restrict us but empowers us?

Are your words better than your silence would have been?
There is a BT advert that says ‘it’s good to talk’ - well they would say that wouldn’t they? Conversely a great indian Swami once told me it’s much better to listen, “God gave us two eyes, two ears, two nostrils and only one mouth! If we would only keep it closed more, then we would be more aware of what is truly going on around us”...

Are you too attached to the outcome?
I believe that most, if not all of our problems in life come from being too attached - too in need of a desired outcome. Whether we acknowledge it or not, we tend to be attached to people, places, material possessions, careers or the need to be something.

What exactly is the Soul?
The 'soul' is frequently referred to both in spiritual texts and also in our general every day vocabulary. So exactly what is the soul? Is it tangible and if so, where is it? This article addresses those questions...