Meta Patterns Amp Genius A Simple Game To Increase A Childs Intelligence

Writen by Silvia Hartmann

As a side effect in my life long study of human excellence, genius and creativity, I have discovered ONE particular thinking pattern that makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE in:

- understanding the world
- problem solving
- innovation and creativity
- and even inner harmony.

This is a meta filter which people LEARN, they are NOT born "that way", and it is a really profound one that makes the difference between a great thinker and someone who isn't, at the end of the day.

This filter is about whether a person sorts all manner of incoming information by difference, or by similarity.

Fascinatingly, across the board, children's games are games of "difference".

Spot the difference; Sesame Street's "One of these things just doesn't belong here ..."; and many, MANY other strategies across the board and all the educational modalities reward this "sorting by differences".

The side effect of sorting by difference is to compartmentalise the world into ever smaller blocks of detail; this leads directly, and I mean directly, in completely logical cause and effect fashion to losing the ability to "see the big picture".

In neuro-linguistic terms, the movement from a normal sized picture into more and more detail is called "chunking down".

This is when we stop looking at the car, and instead focus on a single wheel, and then the hub of a single wheel, and the the screw with the hub, and then a single turn of the screw, and deeper and deeper into the details of the thing, until we're in quarks and neutrons territory and no-one knows or cares that we ever started with a bright red motor car.

Now, there is nothing wrong per se with "chunking down" into details of a thing; where it becomes immensely DANGEROUS for a person, and for many people in their collective societies, is when EVERYBODY thinks like that - apart from a few "visionaries" that is, of course, who will become the leaders.

Aha!

A general MUST be able to see the bigger picture; a king must; an industry leader; ANY leader MUST have the magical ability to zoom out and perceive huge arrays of objects IN PERSPECTIVE in order to discover the meta patterns that make up the WHOLE situation.

In the education systems the world over, children are not raised and trained to become LEADERS. That explains why the "downchunk movement" into detail is being taught and fostered at every turn; people who are only comfortable with "small chunk thinking" and will turn immediately to chunking down EVEN FURTHER in moments of crisis, because that movement is THE ONLY movement they know and are familiar with, make great soldiers, factory workers, low level clerics - great ants, in other words.

But the fact is that to "think in the opposite direction", to zoom out to see the bigger picture, is a simple as a child's game - we just need to reverse it.

Instead of playing endless versions of, "What's the difference?" we start asking instead, "What's the SAME?"

It is then the meta patterns become revealed and the MOVEMENT OUT towards the "bigger picture" begins to occur naturally.

This is such a simple, and yet such an INCREDIBLE thing.

Consider this.

We may ask, "What's THE SAME about a black boy, and a white boy?" and the answer is ready and clear - "They're both boys!"

We may ask, "What's the SAME about a little boy and a little girl?" and we may receive the answer, "They're both human beings."

EVERY person needs to be able to ZOOM BOTH WAYS - into the details, and out to biggest possible picture, and back again.

EVERY person CAN do that - it is just a question of encouraging the neglected and secret "bigger picture" movement from an early age, and THAT in itself is as simple as to say to a child, "What's THE SAME about your teddy and your doll?"

For any adult who seeks to really re-connect to their own creativity and POWER TO DETECT THE META PATTERNS of our lives and our environments, it is the same game.

"What's THE SAME about the last five movies you've watched? What's THE SAME about the last 15 successful advertising campaigns the competitors ran? What's THE SAME about me and other people?"

There is a structural re-connection that is astonishing which occurs so naturally as a by product of asking that simple question, which is indeed profound, and profoundly healing.

I do believe that the answers lie in the meta patterns, and in our ability to PERCEIVE THEM CLEARLY.

If we get, as individuals AND as societies, those meta patterns right, then the details will NATURALLY take care of themselves - that's the way it works.

"They" say that the devil lies in the detail - it could well be so that salvation can be found indeed, in all of us starting to pay much more attention to "the bigger picture".

Dr Silvia Hartmann is the author of "Project Sanctuary", the original quantum thinking training manual. For more articles, free ebook downloads, free meditation mp3s and further information, please visit http://SilviaHartmann.com

Spiritual Parenting A Journey Deep Into Your Heart

Writen by Laura Ramirez

What does spiritual parenting mean to you? Do you think it means raising your child to adopt your religion? Those who are truly spiritual understand that there is a different between the two. Spirituality unites us, while religion puts us in separate camps which are divided by beliefs. Spirituality has room for all beliefs and recognizes that each creed has strengths and weaknesses. It has no need to defend itself to dissenters or cling rigidly to certain points of view because it has room for all.

Spiritual parenting is a lot like that. Rather than making a child into this or that, it encourages the child to become more of who he is. This means helping the child to develop his God-given strengths which may ultimately mean that the child will walk a path that is very different from his parents.

Spiritual parenting is about encouraging the unfolding of a child's unique talents. While most parents understand the importance of attending to a child's physical needs, they may not realize that the child's emotional and spiritual needs are equally important.

Spiritual parenting is about acting in the present moment, while keeping a big perspective. It's about seeing your child's behavior in relation to the type of person he is becoming.

Spiritual parenting is a journey deep into your heart. If done with curiosity and wonder, parenting is one of the most fulfilling tasks you will ever undertake. You will learn more about yourself than in any other earthly endeavor.

Spiritual parenting is alternative parenting at its best. It is not a reaction to something, but a deep response to the love and responsibility a mother feels for her child. Within this love are the seeds of awakening, the desire to give her child a better life and the understanding that in order to do so, she must question the beliefs she has adopted and acted from most of her life.

Although it may be challenging, the best aspect of spiritual parenting is having the opportunity to bear witness to the unfolding of your child's physical strengths, emotional fortitude, inquisitive mind and compassionate heart. As I write these words, I smile because I know from experience that there is no greater gift that a parent can give herself or her child.

About the author: Laura Ramirez is the author of the award-winning book, Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting - http://www.walk-in-peace.com/keepers.html. This unique book combines ancient native ideas (like stewardship) with cutting-edge psychology to show parents how to raise children to develop their natural strengths and grow up to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives. It is a book about connection, caring and engagement.

Laura is also the publisher of Family Matters Parenting Magazine which features insights into the core issues today's parents face - http://www.parenting-child-development.com

Overindulgence And Overattentiveness Two Dangers Parents Must Avoid

Writen by Frank McGinty

We're all familiar with the over-indulgent parent. But there's another parenting practice that can be equally harmful: over-attentiveness.

It's possible to be one or the other - or in some cases, both!

Let's look first of all at the differences.

Over-Indulgence

I'm sure you've come across the stereotype: Parents who constantly ply their kids with material goods and treats of every kind, and who will go to any length to ensure their little darlings want for nothing, but have the biggest and best of everything.

This behaviour is always prompted by a certain lack or need within the parents. They often dote on their kids, but what such parents are really doing is attempting to work out their own inadequacies.

Perhaps they lacked attention when they were kids - and it hurt. Maybe they had to go without things - and it was humiliating. Now they make up for it by ensuring that THEIR kids have everything!

Or it could be that they lack confidence in their parenting abilities, and have no real interest in kids.

They are unsure how to relate to children, yet have a need (or at least a desire) to be liked, appreciated, or accepted - and they think over-indulging their kid's every whim is the way to do it.

This can have disastrous consequences for the child's development.

For a start, such children become self-centred, spoiled, and unhealthy. Often they become disrespectful, since children are adept at spotting parental weaknesses, which they soon come to despise.

Later in life these over-indulged kids tend to develop further problems, such as eating disorders, weight-related health issues, addictions, and they often lack patience and tolerance when they can't instantly get their own way.

Over-Attentiveness

On the other hand there can be parents who, while not over- indulging their kids, try to supervise every aspect of their lives.

They watch them at play, they stand over them doing homework, and if there's the slightest hint of a problem at school - either with a friend or a teacher - they're down there creating a scene!

This behaviour, too, is prompted by a need within the parent, usually a deep-seated fear or anxiety about the normal risks in everyday life, which they feel they must protect their children from.

The effects of over-attentiveness can be more subtle - but equally harmful.

Because such children have not been allowed to experiment with life - to climb trees and cut their knees, to have altercations with others and realise their own way is not the only, or even the best, way - they tend to develop fear and timidity whenever their mentor is not there sticking up for them.

They have been deprived of a testing-ground in which to develop their strengths and become aware of their shortcomings. This often breeds embarrassment as well as resentment, and the poor parents are baffled! They've only been doing their duty, after all!

There can be an even more serious consequence when the child becomes an adult: Decision-making becomes a problem.

Taking decisions involves the weighing up of risks, a consideration of the pros and cons in a situation. If this skill has not been developed in childhood - if the child has been deprived of the opportunity - then he will be an indecisive adult who lacks the confidence to be effective.

The Solution?

The solution for overindulgent and over-attentive parents is one I keep stressing in my writing: They need to develop confidence in themselves.

But they needn't despair, as opportunities for development abound.

If you feel any of this applies to you, check out these opportunities. Visit your local college, bookshop or library, go online - see what's on offer. You'll be spoiled for choice.

But take action. Just do it!

You can begin to understand your own needs in a relatively short time, and with insight into your own psychological and emotional make-up, you will begin to look at your kids in a different light.

You will begin to moderate the amount of indulgence, because the need to over-compensate will no longer be there.

If you recognise your own fears and anxieties, you'll be less likely to pass them on to your kids by being over- attentive.

Supervise your children and help them steer clear of danger, yes - but let them manage their own conflicts. You can be there on the sidelines with words of support, advice and encouragement - but them experience the rough and tumble of life for themselves.

Knowing you're giving your child a solid preparation for the future, you'll feel satisfaction in a job well done.

Happy parenting!

Why do some parents and children succeed, while others fail? Frank McGinty is an internationally published author and teacher. If you want to develop your parenting skills and encourage your kids to be all they can be, visit his web pages, http://www.frank-mcginty.com/peace-formula.html AND http://www.frank-mcginty.com/for-parents.html