I have discovered that this pathology of limited expression - wrought from our conditioning - largely stems from one culprit: we think we are the thing we're attempting to change. You simply cannot rely on the brain you want to change to do the changing! By definition, the brain left to its already-wired state does not have the capacity to self-correct. It is simply not wired to do so. This is why authentic change or progression seems difficult or elusive.
How then is real, authentic change possible? Through one revolutionary, always present reality: to understand that you have a body rather than erroneously assuming that you are your body.
Huh?
Yes Martha, it's true.
There is a greater identity to your nature than the sum total of the body, brain and emotional reference commonly identified as “the self”. This goes unnoticed by your conditioned psyche - the mind functioning as the center of thought, emotion, and behavior - resulting in the mistaken assumption that the locus (originating base) of identity is the body. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have recently coined a phrase for use in my empowerment coaching called Possession Psychology™. It is the process by which one comes to understand that they possess a body, but are not defined by this state of their being. To understand this reality is the single, most potent comprehension that enables one to "re-wire" the conditioned "circuits" of the brain which have been forged from one's experience.
Why is this distinction of identification so paramount to apprehending true change? It neutralizes the victimization one suffers by identifying with the state of one's psyche as the totality of one's self. In other words, by realizing that one is more than the body they possess one can legitimately and authentically question the validity of every thought, perception and emotional state. The average person assumes the thoughts that occupy the mind are a "real" reflection of who they are and what the world is. However, clearly if one person's perception was the absolute truth about the self or the world, then everyone would have the identical perception of self and ideas about life! The reason we all have different experiences, outlooks and perceptions regarding life is because our experiences wire the brain to subjectively deduce based on the very wiring that our personal experiences forge.
This brings us back to the initial point that a conditioned brain cannot of itself correct its conditioning. The realization however that one is more than their body/brain, creates the subtle but paramount awareness that one's greater identity, being immune to the conditioning of the body/brain, enables one to re-wire, re-condition and reprogram, as it were, their conditioned state of mind.
What is this "greater self" of you that "has" a body? You can call it your soul or your higher self or your spirit or any other name for reference but what is important is that those labels do not become the means of relegating the stated truth to merely an intellectual, esoteric or emotional idea. Without regard or understanding of the reality to which those terms refer, the truth of your greater identity is reduced to a notion rather than the reality of which it speaks.
As you use the mind (the mind is nothing more than a faculty [albeit it a brilliant one] you posses) to identify with a greater sense of self, beyond your chronic thoughts, emotions and perceptions, you begin to realize that you are witnessing thoughts and emotions rather than having them. This ends the grossly erroneous assumption that the thoughts and emotions you experience are the very "you" of you. (Take a deep breath here) You can choose to view this material as heady stuff or you can exercise the inherent dominion you have over your mind (remember, you possess a mind; the mind doesn't possess you) and choose to instruct the mind to absorb this information. (Re-read this article over and over in order for the mind to understand what is being conveyed).
This is the power you posses as the "caretaker" of that body that you move, act and think through. You can decide (choose) that the body/mind is NOT going to settle for being the victim of what it has been conditioned to think, perceive and feel because of its experience. No matter how traumatic or chronic the experiences have been that the body/mind has been exposed to, the greater You transcends these conditions. Therefore, you can restore and rewire the body/mind's perception on behalf of fulfillment and authentic expression. To be clear here, this is NOT about suppressing, ignoring or minimizing what the body/mind has experienced. This is about recognizing that you are MORE than the sum total of the body's experience!
Admittedly it takes sincere presence of mind to apply this understanding when your default nature has been conditioned to think it is a body but, what choice to you have? You either want to transform your life during this lifetime or you don't. It's a question of how willing you are to be your own salvation and say, "the buck stops here" and "all bets are off". Then you will no longer allow the tail to wag the dog regarding your life and its possibility. You, the greater you, has the power of the entire cosmos at its behest. The power of the universe informs your very identity! As this becomes an increasing reality to you and not merely an inspiring thought, the sea of all limitation will part at your feet. Be who you are.
Email Isaiah if you're interested in methods for putting Possession Psychology™ to work in your life. Isaiah McGee is founding director of A Conscious Life Enterprises through which he provides empowerment coaching on all aspect of life and living. Sessions can be conducted via telephone or in person. Contact Isaiah at 323-653-3463 and visit his website at www.aconsciouslife.com.
