Hi BridgetJones09

You are asking a question regarding something that Abraham said.

It takes a lot of trust in the unknown to even begin to accept the idea that a human being (Esther Hicks) is capable of going into a state where her identity steps aside, to allow another spirit (in this case Abraham) to come through as a spirit and communicate with humanity through her.

Just imagine the stretch of skepticism that one has to overcome just to take Abraham seriously?

And once you have stretched enough to accept Abraham's wisdom you no longer ask "Well how do I know that this is not just a figment of Esther's imagination?"

So when you can't authenticate the source known as Abraham, and yet you have stretched your skepticism enough to take Abraham seriously, still without any evidence to validate Abraham's existence, why are you concerned about where the 17 second's came from?

You cannot know where Abraham came from. Does it matter if you do or do not know where the 17seconds came from?

You can't authenticate both, but within your spirit, it feels right doesn't it?

You can however, apply the 17second attention and see if you get any results.

If you succeed, GREAT! You know that it works! Now do you still need to know where the 17seconds came from?

Ok what if it doesn't work?

Would it still be an issue for you to know the source of this information?

If you tested the 17second rule and if it worked for you, would you continue to be burdened with not knowing its origin?

If a friend asked you about it after your successful test, would you say to that friend, I learned this great technique and it actually works, but it's source can't be verified, so I don't feel comfortable sharing it with you?

You see?

It doesn't matter because that is not how its truth is authenticated.

Its truth is in the application of it.

And when you know it works, it is your truth.

You don't have to quote Abraham every time you speak about the 17 second rule.

When you look at a painting, you can study the canvas and the quality of the paints used and then even inquire about the identity of the painter before giving yourself permission to enjoy the painting; or you can forget about the details and enjoy the painting.

The second method is far more rewarding, because you can experience the painting instead of thinking "This painting is great"

Thinking "This painting is Great" and experiencing a great painting are two completely different experiences.

Knowing that concentrating for 17seconds works because somebody else on this forum said so, and knowing that concentrating for 17seconds works, are two completely different states of mind.

For the second experience, you have to test the method for yourself.

It may work for you or it may not. But either way, you will no longer care where it came from.

Bridget, I'm saying "You" only out of convenience, but this answer is meant for every person that is reading it from a first person perspective. You may have already tested this and asked this question on behalf of everyone else who needs to know.

I personally think that it is just a guideline of minimum concentration.