‘Settle for no less than your aims’

Press, 17 February 1983, Page 17

‘Settle for no less than your aims’

Improving your health, wealth, and happiness is just a thought away, according to Mr John Kehoe, a Canadian pioneer of thought dynamics. Every person had the capability. and the right, to live well and should not settle for less, he said. Mr Kehoe was in Christchurch this week to promote a series of lectures he will start next week. He described the mind as an amazing instrument without an instruction book. Its potential could be harnessed by learning how to use one’s energy effectively. Having made a fortune, gained confidence, and a beautiful girlfriend. Mr Kehoe is satisfied his methods work. He now lectures only three to four months a year and in the interim travels and sails. "I have a very idyllic life." he says.

Mr’Kehoe is on his first visit to New Zealand and intends a ’six-week stay. He has lectured extensively overseas and says 10,000 people have passed through his courses.

When he was 25, having already worked as a taxidriver. an ambulance driver, an artist, and a carpenter, Mr Kehoe decided he wanted to know more about thought dynamics. He had read and researched the subject but was eager to take it a step further.

For three years Mr Kehoe retired to a cabin in the woods of British Columbia. There he defined the concepts of what he describes as a "science". Mr Kehoe then began teaching, quickly attracting crowds and appearing on television and radio shows.

He says his methods are not mystical but are simple concepts which anyone can use.

Mr Kehoe always gives his first lecture free. The four remaining sessions cost $2OO, but money is refunded to anyone who is not satisfied.

Those taking the course usually have a specific goal in mind. The most common aims are to achieve business success, better social relationships, or to improve health or confidence.

Mr Kehoe does not claim to be a faith healer but he says by thinking positively one’s health can dramatically improve. He cites the work of a Texas doctor who is achieving three to four times the national healing rate for cancer by teaching his patients to "visualise” chemical treatments working.

Thought dynamics is more than positive thinking, says Mr Kehoe.

“Positive thinking would be a kindergarten under-

standing of it. but the course I take is at university level." he savs.

Mr Kehoe says positive thinking works on the premise that thinking positively makes good things happen. He agrees but says by learning his six "laws of the mind" the process can be taken further.

People react to their environment and are buffeted by what happens around them. Mr Kehoe says they can dictate their “own reality” rather than respond to an "outer reality".

A shy person, by thinking he is an outgoing person for 10 to 15 minutes each day, could become more extroverted. Mr Kehoe’s techniques stress the importance of taking time out each day to go into one’s own thoughts. If a person is unhappy about one issue other unsatisfactory issues will readily spring to mind. Likewise happy thoughts attract good feelings.

Mr Kehoe says all emotionalised thoughts attract like thoughts. Thought dynamics teaches how to rid oneself of negative thoughts and replace them with a positive outlook. A favourite example of Mr Kehoe’s is the ' Canadian woman who wished to become the director of mental health in her province. The woman was convinced her education, sex, seniority and ability worked against her.

“She was stuck in a belief system that she could not do something.” he said:

Six months after she took the thought dynamics course Mr Kehoe had a letter from the woman telling him of her promotion to the post she had sought. “Anyone can attain their aims ... they should not settle for less," Mr Kehoe said.