Did you hold the thought ‘we are often the only obstacle in achieving our dreams’…
False beliefs become an issue when they are held as true.
For example, perhaps you assume that every thought that enters your mind is true and maybe that, once they enter your mind, it is not in your power to believe or disregard them.
Most people have between 60,000 and 80,000 thoughts a day. Imagine if every thought perceived about ourselves and our world was true—how would we even have that many unique thoughts about it all?
Subconsciously, you already disregard a lot of the thoughts that enter your brain. The next step is to identify the unpleasant thoughts that do not serve you and examine them closely. By understanding the fear behind our self-limiting beliefs, we can begin letting these damaging thoughts leave.
Positive psychologists do not simply get rid of all negative thoughts and emotions and replace them with positive ones. Instead, it attempts to experience negative situations fully, without letting the barrage of harsh thoughts pose as truth.
People have little control over their mental states until they begin challenging and questioning their beliefs, thoughts, perceptions, actions, and emotions.
False and limiting beliefs are like parasites: they stay inactive in the mind until some thought or event triggers their response. Then they impede people’s ability to think sensibly and rationally, and they affect perceptions and perspectives in a gradual manner.
Positive psychology offers practical methods that help us question and unravel false beliefs. One of those methods is mindfulness, which is a pillar of positive psychology.
Mindfulness doesn’t just mean meditation. As defined by mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness is purposefully paying attention to thoughts and emotions without judgment. It is really about living experiencing life in the moment.
Practicing mindfulness arms people with tools to become familiar with their thoughts and emotions. It allows people to label the incorrect stories and scenarios that their minds often create, rather than absorb them as part of our identity.
As people begin to observe these thoughts and learn how the mind generates
beliefs, they can determine which beliefs are genuine and which aren’t. With time and practice, mindfulness allows people to no longer live on auto-pilot as prisoners of our own minds.
It has been scientifically proven that practicing mindfulness increases the number of positive emotions people experience.
Since emotions are affiliated with beliefs and beliefs are associated with thoughts, it’s valuable for people to take the time to observe their minds in action.
If you are new to trying Mindfulness or Meditation then try my FREE Guided Imagery Relaxation MP3 (8mins running time) or forward this email to a friend who may benefit!
FREE Guided Imagery Relaxation Recording
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