Think, in the simplest possible language, means to evaluate, analyze and evaluate something. Thought encompasses a complex flow of associations and ideas which will ultimately result in reasonable conclusions. Though considered an analytic approach, thought is also an activity of a purely logical value for human beings. What we think has a profound effect on our actions and therefore on the direction of our life. So, just what exactly is the role of thought?

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For the purposes of this article let's assume that the purpose of your life is to understand what you think and why you think the way you do. If this is the case, then a reasonable person could ask, what you think is who you are? To answer this question we need to turn to an old philosophical favourite, the argument that our thoughts are the product of what we are conscious of, and thus what we are. In other words, our thoughts are a mirror of our soul, or more specifically our thoughts about our existence in the physical world.

If this were true, then a simple answer would be to say that if your thoughts are the product of what you are conscious of, then, you would automatically be a being of a particular sort, however you aren't. This would seem to contradict the evidence that our souls do exist, or rather that their consciousness is a non-physical entity, like colour, thoughts and feelings. So, how does this account for the reality of consciousness? Well, consider the following thought experiment.

Imagine that you have just completed a difficult task. Your life is full of successes and you feel elated, but the fact is that your brain recognises that you have just achieved a very difficult task, and so projects itself into your subconscious, the most dangerous place in your life, your innermost mind. What you now see is a reflection of your life: your achievements, your failures, your friends and enemies. But this reflection also includes your inner self, and the person that you are at the core of your being. This being would include all of your former self, and all of the past experiences you have had since your birth.

If this were true, it would follow that you would experience in one way, your former life, including all your achievements, all your failures, your friends and enemies, would be reflected in this reflection. And if this were not the case, it would follow that your life would be one without any meaning, no purpose, and no depth. The meaning and purpose of your life would disappear completely. However, if you take this view of consciousness, and project it into the subconscious, where it interacts with the very material that makes up your body, then you will see that your life is indeed one that have a meaning and purpose, as well as a depth. Your current physical form is the result of what you thought was your life, and this is the same material that will be expressed in your future physical form.

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So, when you say that you think you are someone you aren't, and then attempt to alter the expression of this inner you to reflect the opposite of who you really are, you are engaging in a practice of what you call "thought replacing." It is a practice that engages in trying to replace your current negative view of yourself with a more positive one. When you do this and maintain this view even after changing the expression of your inner you to match the new positive view, you will experience the effect of this change immediately. This change of expression will change the way your physical body looks and feels, and give you a sense of power and control over your life.