How to: Utilize the Power of Rational Thinking

in #life7 years ago (edited)

Psycho-Cybernetics: Part 4

In the previous episode of my Psycho-Cybernetics blog-series, I talked about the art of relaxation and how that can boost your productivity, by worrying about something before the wheels start turning, and once they do detach from the outcome. If you haven't read the previous episode, you can click <<here>>

Now let's continue..

THE SCIENCE OF CYBERNETICS 

Psycho- Cybernetics, Maxwell Maltz

The science of Cybernetics does not tell us that "man" is a machine but that man has and uses a machine. Moreover, it tells us how that machine functions and how it can be used.

Even though it grew out of the work of physicists and mathematicians rather than that of psychologists, the new science of cybernetics made an important breakthrough in psychology possible. 

EP.4 - RATIONAL THINKING 

One of the reasons that the power of rational thinking goes unrecognized is that it is so seldom used

Sometimes it's the most obvious things that confuse us. We feel like answers are out of reach, that something is impossible, too difficult and then we give up. If only we'd understand the power of our minds, and the impact rational thinking can have. Do you remember the last time you felt something was impossible and then you did it anyway? We are capable of so much more than we think we are and we are blind to the advantage of having access to the entire recipe, manual of pretty much anything. All that's left is our belief about ourself.

I stress this so much, because I believe that only the true understanding of how things are achieved, the basic math of life and human being, how we work, is needed in order to live by choice rather than by chance. 

Too many people worry ask "how" instead of "why, where and what". All you need to know is what you want to know, where you can find the information you need (people, books, the internet) and why things are not going your way. Now the last one the "why" is probably the most important one that is way too often overlooked. We feel a certain way and simply accept it, as if it was a fact, instead of digging deeper into the why and finding a solution! 

I live by this mantra: TO EVERY PROBLEM THERE IS A SOLUTION

Unleashing the power of rational thinking has truly changed my life, which is why I need to share it with you.

Excerpt

There is a widely accepted fallacy that rational, logical, conscious thinking has no power over unconscious processes or mechanisms, and that to change negative beliefs, feelings or behavior, it is necessary to dig down and dredge up material from the "unconscious." Your automatic mechanism, or what the Freudians call the "unconscious," is absolutely impersonal. It operates as a machine and has no "will" of its own. 

HOWEVER it always tries to react appropriately to your current beliefs and interpretations concerning environment. It always seeks to give you appropriate feelings, and to accomplish the goals which you consciously determine upon. 

It works only upon the data which you feed it in the form of ideas, beliefs, interpretations, opinions. It is conscious thinking which is the "control knob" of your unconscious machine. Which means that if your beliefs are false, you're feeding false data to your unconscious which it will then act upon...

The good news: It was by conscious thought, though perhaps irrational and unrealistic, that the unconscious machine developed its negative and inappropriate reaction patterns, and it is by conscious rational thought that the automatic reaction patterns can be changed. 

UTILIZING THE POWER OF RATIONAL THINKING 

Remember that both behavior and feeling spring from belief. 

To root out the belief which is responsible for your feeling and behavior—ask yourself, "why?" Is there some task which you would like to do, some channel in which you would like to express yourself, but you hang back feeling that "I can't"? 

Ask yourself "WHY?" "Why do I believe that I can't?" Then ask yourself—"Is this belief based upon an actual fact-—or upon an assumption—or a false conclusion?" 

Ask yourself the following questions, really think them through, wrestle with them and answer them in your head or even on paper:

 1. Is there any rational reason for such a belief? 

2. Could it be that I am mistaken in this belief? 

3. Would I come to the same conclusion about some other person in a similar situation? 

4. Why should I continue to act and feel as if this were true if there is no good reason to believe it?

And while you're giving yourself the answers to those 4 golden questions every time you feel stuck, notice how you're automatically sending that data to your unconscious mind, the data is processed and a new way of thinking gets installed that produces more clarity and as a result more happiness. Try using this method 30 days in a row, treat it as an experiment and let me know about your results.

I hope you enjoyed the read.

Much love,

- Mrs.Steemit


Sort:  

nice post

Agreed. Nice post 😂

This is a great break down of Rational thinking. I was born and raised Mormon, my ability to rationally think about anything was hijacked. I picked up Psycho- Cybernetics and a few other NLP books that helped me develop these cognitive tools and De-program Mormonsism. Always a work in progress, Reading this was a great refresher.

Have you Read Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson perhaps? I published (with permission) a chapter of his book earlier. It ties into Maxwell nicely I feel. https://steemit.com/blog/@kevinrussell/what-the-thinker-thinks-the-prover-proves-robert-anton-wilson-aka-old-bob

That is really interesting. I'd love to know how you "escaped" being Mormon. I have not read the book you mentioned, but I'll definitely look into it, thanks for the recommendation!

Reason!? Logic!? That's the way of the devil! How dare you encourage people to think for themselves. Faith is the obvious solution to everything. Now repent of your sins, demon woman. ;)

I think this is an amazing way to help people think, so many of us stress and worry about the problems of today rather than focus on the here and now. It's great work and very important stuff right here!

Keep it coming , you've done it again

@mrs.steemit

Thanks! I agree it's a huge problem for many people, including myself and need constant reminders to keep a clear mind

wow very good post, i like all science but i dont understrand yet about cybernetics, thanks for sharing followed you for next post of you

Thank you! Appreciate it :)

Thank you, this was a great read and a good wake up call.

I do usually think rationally but I had never thoight about it in as much detail as you have described here.

What stood out for me the most was when you said...
"Ask yourself "WHY?" "Why do I believe that I can't?" Then ask yourself—"Is this belief based upon an actual fact-—or upon an assumption—or a false conclusion?"

This struck a cord and makes a lot of sense. We want to stay away from assumptions and stick to facts.

Thank you for this. I'm looking forward to reading your upcoming blogs.

Thanks for the breakdown and feedback. You got the message right! :)

Yeahp I got the message, your articles are so well articulates I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Looking forward to more thank you

So funny because years ago I downloaded this audio book & I would fall asleep to it. Since then, I've just been trying new things all the time, not even caring if I fail or succeed. That was a major breakthrough for me because I tended to over analyze things & give up before even trying them. I do believe that has significantly helped me becoming an entrepreneur and going out of my comfort zone. Like Tony the Tiger says...

Almost everyone agrees that you have to see the glass “half full”, practice saying positive affirmations, visualize yourself already having what you want to achieve, and some would propose that what you want would miraculously manifest itself into the physical world.

Even though I do believe you have to be a practitioner and that you actions every day are the main part of what happens in your life, it all starts and end with the mind. If you don't believe, your chances are 0. If you do believe, you have all the chances, and opportunities the world has to offer. From personal experience I can say that if you have the right mindset together with the action to prove that you do, life or the universe or whatever you may call it, will always meet you half way :)

It was a very interesting i find it useful

Find this very Educative and Interesting understanding the Brain

Very interesting, The brain is a marvellous thing. going to follow for more great posts

I guess common sense is so common after all lol... Thanks for sharing

I guess so :D

30 days in a row will create a new habit thinking process. Rational thinking is good. Thanks Mrs. Steemit.

Jup, it's all about breaking old and creating new more effective patterns and turn them into habits.

I really like what you say about choice rather then chance. Great post!

"Common sense is clearly the most well distributed thing, since no one seems to be saying they are in need for more of it", Descartes quipped in his meditations. Interesting stuff. Will follow.

Thanks for the positive and informative post. I upvoted and retweeted.

Appreciated! <3

great post

Nice post. Very common sense approach. It seems that common sense is so seldom used today we wonder why it is labeled "common".

Exactly my thoughts :)

So true! Well written!

The only way to guarantee you will fail is not to try.

Excellent article again... since I'm waiting for one of your new articles I thought I would come and read another one of your Oder articles lol

This is great! It reminds me of something someone once said to me when I was struggling with confidence; ''if you don't believe in yourself, why should anyone else?" ; That one statement from my colleague, hit hard and made a big impact in my life. Thanks for sharing this post and I look forward to seeing more thought provoking stuff from you!