If I told you to recall a time you behaved in a way you didn’t want to, over reacted where you didn’t need to, I am sure you can quickly bring to mind such a moment. In my case it might have been a few minutes ago.
Hidden conditioning can do that to you. The way we are or have been programmed to behave.
I think we can all relate to a moment when we behaved in a certain way only to reflect later that day, with the beauty of hindsight, and shiver with embarrassment thinking ‘Why on earth did I do that! What was I thinking?’ Sometimes we catch ourselves being extreme in the way we respond to events – a far stronger than normal reaction.
This is because of behavioural learning, over time and probably during childhood, which has because of forceful focus at suggestible times hypnotically conditioned our subconscious mind. Hence we find ourselves responding at these times in the way we originally were conditioned to.
This is pattern matching in essence, we see something and a pattern of behaviour is formed to respond. The trouble is, our subconscious mind will often grab patterns which are not in our best interests to create faulty or sloppy patterns when we are not in control of our thinking, or allow others to control our thinking.
The aim of therapy in many ways is to correct those faulty and sloppy patterns. Of course so much of our conditioning is useful and positive and if needed can be life saving. For example we know things we need to avoid so as to not get run over on the road, or burnt by fire or eaten by a lion. But sometimes, some of the things we learn early on, in our childhood are not useful at all.
Now I am a great believer that we should take ultimate care and maintenance of our mental health well being but I am also a great believer in not going over the top with analysing and punishing our imperfections.
I have been through that phase. It is tiring and for some reason gives birth to more negative emotions and behaviours. But it is good, in the exact moment, to observe when you are reacting extra strongly to something, and you don’t know why. To take that moment and have a think about what it may be which is causing this ‘faulty’ response. And then you can set about changing it.
Often the reactions we have are a snap judgment. Quick to act. Quick to fly high off the handle. Zero to the moon in 4 seconds. The important thing to remember here too, is that we all do it, it’s not you being the worse person in the world. So be nice to yourself a brief moment here. You are the joint worse person in the world with the rest of us!
Often we are quick to punish ourselves with statements like we are ‘quick to anger’, ‘quick to judge’, ‘fly off the handle’, ‘over emotional’, but taking some time to look deeper we will find, there will be a root conditioning pattern set up within us that is just a button press away from a reaction to every event imaginable.
So at this time it really is worthwhile having a moment to reflect on these moments and use the benefit of self hypnosis therapy to seek out and discover this unwanted hidden conditioning before removing it for good and replacing it with a more appropriate pattern of behaviour.
Hypnotic trance states are perfect channels for connecting us with our vast reserve of unconscious awareness and learning what lies behind everyday ‘conscious’ thinking.
The unconscious mind that we speak of is not itself ‘unconscious’. It is fully aware at all times. It is just that your ‘conscious mind’, your everyday awareness, is ‘unconscious’ (most of the time) of what is in there.
When you regularly practise hypnosis, you become skilled at engaging more fully with the totality of what you are and know – your personal ‘unknown knowns’, you might say.
Attached at the top of this blog is a session of self hypnosis, for you to relax and close your eyes and allow your awareness to show you what patterns maybe faulty and to correct them. A chance to take a look deep inside, in a calm relaxed manner and see for yourself that you are so close to the person you want to be in these moments. Try and see. Practise it often and form new habits for these occasions. You will be amazed at the ease and immediacy.
Below I have presented some text outlining some basic thoughts on conditioning as again this topic will be covered in so much more detail within ‘I hear voices ‘ over the coming months.
Mental conditioning
Mental conditioning typically refers to the process of training or programming the mind to adopt certain beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, or thought patterns. It is often used in the context of self-improvement, sports psychology, or psychological therapy.
In the realm of self-improvement and personal development, mental conditioning techniques aim to help individuals overcome limiting beliefs, develop positive habits, and cultivate a resilient and positive mindset. These techniques may include visualization exercises, affirmations, goal setting, meditation, and cognitive restructuring. The goal is to rewire the mind to think more positively and constructively, leading to improved performance and well-being.
In sports psychology, mental conditioning is used to enhance an athlete’s performance by developing mental skills such as focus, concentration, confidence, and resilience. Athletes may undergo various mental conditioning techniques like mental imagery, self-talk, goal setting, and relaxation techniques to optimize their mindset and improve their performance under pressure.
In the field of psychological therapy, mental conditioning techniques can be used to help individuals overcome phobias, manage anxiety or stress, and change maladaptive thought patterns. Therapies like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) often incorporate mental conditioning approaches to assist individuals in replacing negative or unhelpful thoughts and behaviours with positive and adaptive ones.
It’s important to note that mental conditioning techniques can be effective, but they should be applied ethically and with consideration for individual differences. Working with trained professionals, such as therapists, coaches, or psychologists, can ensure that mental conditioning is used appropriately and tailored to the specific needs and goals of the individual.
Past experiences can have a significant impact on mental conditioning. Our experiences shape our beliefs, attitudes, and thought patterns, which can influence how we perceive and respond to future situations. Positive experiences can reinforce positive mental conditioning, while negative experiences can create negative mental conditioning.
For example, if someone has had positive experiences in social settings, they may develop a positive mental conditioning that enables them to feel comfortable and confident in social interactions. On the other hand, if someone has experienced rejection or humiliation in social situations, they may develop negative mental conditioning that leads to social anxiety or avoidance.
Past experiences can also contribute to the development of limiting beliefs. If someone has repeatedly failed at a particular task or faced criticism, they may develop a belief that they are not capable or worthy of success. This negative mental conditioning can hinder their future efforts and self-belief.
However, it’s important to note that past experiences do not dictate future outcomes. Mental conditioning techniques can help individuals reframe their past experiences and develop more positive and empowering beliefs. Through techniques like cognitive restructuring, individuals can challenge negative beliefs and replace them with more constructive and supportive ones.
Therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can also help individuals process and recondition their response to traumatic or negative experiences. By targeting the associated emotions and beliefs, EMDR can assist in reprogramming the mind to create more adaptive mental conditioning.
Overall, while past experiences can influence mental conditioning, it is possible to recondition the mind through various techniques and therapeutic interventions to promote positive growth and well-being.
Removing past emotional and thought conditioning is a complex process that often requires time, effort, and professional guidance. While it may not be possible to completely erase past conditioning, it is possible to modify and reframe its impact on our present thoughts and emotions. Here are some approaches that can be helpful:
- Self-reflection and awareness: Start by becoming aware of your patterns of thinking and emotional responses. Reflect on how past experiences have shaped your beliefs and behaviors. Developing self-awareness allows you to recognize when you’re being influenced by past conditioning.
- Cognitive restructuring: Challenge and reframe negative or limiting beliefs that have resulted from past conditioning. Identify evidence that contradicts those beliefs and replace them with more positive and realistic perspectives. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a well-known therapeutic approach that focuses on restructuring thoughts and beliefs.
- Emotional processing: Allow yourself to experience and process the emotions associated with past conditioning. This can be done through therapy, journaling, or talking to a trusted confidant. By acknowledging and expressing your emotions, you can release their hold on your present thoughts and actions.
- Mindfulness and meditation: Practice mindfulness to cultivate present-moment awareness and detachment from past conditioning. Meditation can help you observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment, allowing you to create distance from conditioned responses.
- Therapeutic interventions: Seek support from a trained therapist or counsellor who can guide you through the process of addressing and modifying past conditioning. Therapies like EMDR, cognitive-behavioural therapy, or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can be effective in working through past conditioning.
- Positive reinforcement and new experiences: Actively seek out positive experiences and surround yourself with supportive and nurturing environments. Engage in activities that challenge and expand your beliefs and capabilities. By creating new positive associations and experiences, you can gradually overwrite past conditioning.
Remember, the process of removing past emotional and thought conditioning is personal and can take time. It is essential to be patient, kind to yourself, and seek professional help if needed. A therapist or counsellor can provide individualized guidance and support tailored to your specific needs and goals.