The Question

Robin, you are quite right to be concerned about the wording of the- question. Let me give you some examples and suggestions. In The American, Society of Dowsers (ASD) Quarterly there was an example of an experienced dowser/instructor who asked his L Rod to point to north. Instead of pointing north, it pointed to the audience. This was strange because it had always worked before. He tried again with the same results. While he was discussing some possible cause with the audience, a hand went up and a man said, "My name is North". The dowsing was I 00% correct to the question asked. I suspect the dowser then changed the question, asking for the rod to point to earth's magnetic north, and then got a correct answer. This demonstrated a very important point about being precise in your question. Another example might be: Does my car need gas? The answer would be "YES", even if the gas tank is full. The answer is yes on two accounts. You have a gasoline car which can only run on what we call gas and it uses air which is also a gas. So of course it needs gas. The Dowsing System seems to take every word in a question by its literal meaning. If your question has a word or words that have assumed or conflicting meanings, and you and your Dowsing System have not agreed on their meaning, your answer may be random.

Rule #I: You need to be very specific about what you want to know. This includes what, where, when and sometimes instructional information relating to the question.

Rule #2: Use only words, phrases and conditions that you and the Dowsing System both agree upon their meaning, and for which there is an agreed-on method of dowsing response.

Rule #3: Make the question a definite request for information that exists somewhere. Normally, don't ask for an opinion. If your question does involve an opinion of the past, present or the future, it must be compared to an agreed-upon reference or conditions. (The program on page 18 is an example of informational instructions, an agreed-upon reference, and other related conditions)

Let me give you an example. I'll ask you a question: Are you strong? Your answer would be based on what you think I meant by the word "strong", strong physically, mentally, emotionally, perfume, etc. Now let's apply rules 1, 2, and 3 (what, when and a reference to something). Are you strong enough, right now, to pick up this one-gallon carton of milk? Now, could you give me a correct answer to that question? One more example and then I'll give you some reassuring comments and some helpful ideas. If I ask, "How many feet from point (A) to point (B) on the floor by the front row of the audience?" The answer might be twelve because there are six persons sitting in that space, each with two feet.

8 Letter to Robin - Formulating The Dowsing Question


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Developing a Question

At this point, you might say, how can I know if I have a good question? Please let me share some ideas for you to consider.

(1) Formulating the Question: (Q.) When you wish to explore a new area where you have not successfully established questions, try the following. Ask several different Q's looking for agreement or conflicting answers. Conflicts clue you that undiscovered information is influencing your answer. Examples of some misleading Q's: (Look at their literal meaning) Q. Is there water in the [designate the area] The answer is YES. (There is water every where, in the designated area etc.) Q. Is there a water source, less than 300 feet deep, that could supply 5 GPM (gallons-per-minute)? The answer is Yes. (especially in ahard rain storm). The next Q. may give you a clue that something is wrong. Q. Could this water source, allow a well to supply 5 GPM of potable water to the surface, year around? If the answer is NO, you then know something was wrong with the first Q's. By asking multiple Q's, you can often find problems, and learn what you will need to develop good comprehensive Q's.

(2) Pre-programing: With your programing you have covered a great many of the possible misunderstandings that may occur between you and your dowsing system. This is one of the important reasons you established programs or agreements with your Dowsing System. A good example is in the program, on the bottom of paue 5, which defines the meaning of the "May 1, Can 1, Should I."

(3) Very Important Questions: Another way that seems to work well, is when you have a very important question get together with another experienced dowser. If you each ask the question in your own way and have the same answer, this is reassuring. But if you get different answers you should both examine your questions, and then proceed from there. Most experienced dowsers agree that the question is a key factor in accurate dowsing.

The Question Test

Robin, the answer to your concern about using proper questions is simple and straight forward. Always use questions that have worked well before, and test the new ones. Test them, as suggested in "Formulating the Question" above, by asking the question several different ways to see if you repeatedly get an appropriate answer each time. This makes you carefully think about what the words actually mean and if you have left out anything in the question or program. We use many assumptions or idiomatic non-literal expressions in our communicating like: "he will get a kick out of this, hang your head, he has a chip on his shoulder, time will tell, hand out, etc. If, when you are dowsing, you find an incorrect response, careful examination of the question is more than warranted. I often ask a question two different ways.

For Best Results

Robin, do not try too hard, do not be too serious. Let it flow naturally. Relax and use your intuition. Let the information flow through you. You should always dowse with a loving heart and for the best good for yourself and others.

And Finally

Take only what you wish from what I have offered and gently try to get hints from every dowser you meet or work with. There is a world of information out there and you will find it a wonderful, exciting, rewarding adventure