168 the rice diet renewal
calm alpha - wavelength state simply by counting down from ten to
one, over the course of three to four deep breaths. If you visualize
these numbers in your mind ’ s eye while you count down, with your
eyes closed, and remind yourself to relax more with each number
counted, you will be very relaxed by the time you reach number one.
Some high - strung people may fi nd it easier to count themselves
down, rather than simply notice their thoughts. I think many people
may fi nd that the counting approach gives them something concrete
to do as they calm their mind and relax into the alpha state.
Once you are deeply relaxed, ask God to reveal what your next
mission or divine plan will be. You may also use this experience to
request a revelation of God ’ s will in a matter of concern. You may
journal to God at this time, or, if you prefer to stay still, you may sug-
gest to yourself that you will have a dream revealing the answer to a
problem you have struggled with lately. You could simply state, with
assuredness, that you will dream about the learning opportunities that
are available in a recent area of concern or interest and tell yourself
that you will remember the dream on waking. It ’ s important to have
physical confi rming aids to psychologically assist this spoken inten-
tion, so before you lie down, place a full glass of water, your journal,
a pen, and a reading light beside your bed. One Ricer said that she
preferred documenting her dreams by speaking near a voice - activated
tape recorder so that she could more easily return to sleep if she
needed. After you have stated or written down your desired inten-
tion to dream, drink half of the glass of water and calmly affi rm your
goal by stating or praying, “ I want to dream about what I should do
about... and I will dream of God ’ s revelation concerning this issue. ”
Go to sleep expecting to hear from your Creator and to fi nish the
other half glass of water in the morning.
The Power of the Woods
The woods have long been one of my favorite environments for
spiritual renewal. Of course, as a child I did not choose to surround
myself with trees for health reasons. I wanted to be in the woods to