As a species, why do we seem incapable of learning? Why do we keep making the same mistakes? Committing and re committing gender, religious and culturally based atrocities. We are suppose to be an intelligent species…
Could it be as simple as leaving unquestioned the negative aspects of our genetic behavioural conditioning?
If I was to have followed the negative elements of my genetic behavioural conditioning I certainly would not be where I am today. I’d be dissatisfied and not know why, narrow minded, unquestioning, seeking validation from external sources and incapable of taking responsibility for my life choices…
Staving off that negative behavioural conditioning can be a life long learning. I have found that being aware is simply not enough and I have noticed that I can think I’ve nailed one or another aspect of my negative behavioural conditioning, only for it to resurface in an ever so slightly varied form…
As we are here to learn, this is neither surprising nor unreasonable. On the bright side once we have developed an awareness we can develop a coping/neutralizing mechanism. And better still, as we cannot un-see what we now know about ourselves, it does get easier.
Two of my biggies remain reliving past experiences/conversations and anticipating often violent negative outcomes from future situations – which never ever transpire. Turns out I have a rather vivid imagination…
As with all things, both these behavioural patterns also have a positive side.
Reliving past experiences and conversations provides the opportunity to grow and learn, to determine how you might better handle similar situations. Anticipating the worst outcomes can prepare you for situations that do turn sour.
Both valuable exercises in their own right but highly destructive, personally, when we over indulge.
How to best neutralize our negative genetic behavioural conditioning is for us to determine – as with most things – there is no one size fits all!
The following work for me:
- When I find myself re-living past experiences and conversations, once I take the learning, I do a simple meditation to reclaim my energy. I visualize the situation and take a few deep breaths. With every inhale I gently recall my energy and with every exhale I return any unwanted energy to source. I continue until I feel release. Then, repeat as necessary, until that situation ceases to present.
- When I find myself anticipating the worst outcomes, I immediately bring myself back to the present moment, acknowledge the thought pattern and briefly consider its implications. Then again, I initiate a simple meditation. With each inhale I recall my energy to now and on every exhale return any unwanted energy to source, continuing until I feel the return of a sense of calm.
The past is there to teach us NOT to be re-enacted. The future is and will remain unknown and has the potential to be better than we could ever imagine…
Be very well.