Psychology Has It Backwards

We think about the past as "real" and important, the personal story of our life that has power over us.  Or as memories that haunt us, or delight us.  Or as the history we learn about in school.  Really, the past is just thoughts, stored in our memory.  Just images we can bring to mind.  The past is the sentence you just read.  The past is everything behind us that isn't happening right now.  It is as easy to forget as to remember.  It is not a "thing" that we have to deal with or figure out.  It has no power except the power we give it when we bring it to mind in the present.  The power to think and our own free will gives us the capacity to bring thoughts to mind, but the thoughts themselves have no power.Support the show

Delving into the complexity of mental health diagnoses, the conversation critiques the DSM-5 for framing individuals as flawed. It argues for a shift away from pathologizing common human experiences and emphasizes the inherent health within everyone. Personal stories highlight the power of understanding one's thoughts, fostering genuine well-being. The discussion encourages focusing on joy rather than trauma, illustrating how this perspective can transform healing and improve overall mental wellness.

While there is no excuse for doing harm to others, an understanding of why it makes sense to the people who do it would improve treatment and rehabilitation for them.  We all live on a sine curve from low feelings of insecurity to higher feelings of security and peace of mind.  For most people, the feelings come and go, just changing moods.  But some people get deeply frightened by low mood, negative thoughts.  In an effort to understand or fight them, they hold on to them and think about them more and more.  Extended, worsening periods of negative thinking send them into a downward spiral, looking for who or what to blame.  At that point, lashing out with horrendous behavior seems like the only way to rid themselves of the misery they have no idea was created by their own thoughts, not by anything or anyone else. Support the show

When violent events occur, the quick response often is, "Society has a mental health issue."  In truth, people experiencing mental well-being do not harm other people.  But most people who are experiencing mental health difficulties do not kill or harm other people.  There is a psychological path to violence: as some people experience extended periods of extremely dark, negative, insecure thinking and see themselves as alienated from others and hopeless about who they are or where they fit, they fill their heads with extreme nasty, vengeful thoughts.  At some point, they commit violence, looking to get relief from the pain of that thinking, with no understanding that they are the thinkers who have created it.  What is needed is a deeper recognition of how thinking works and how we can quiet our thinking and find our innate well-being.Support the show

Exploring the distinction between principles and beliefs, different therapists' approaches to psychological treatments, embracing spiritual principles, interconnectedness of thoughts, emotions, and actions, essence of spirituality beyond conventional beliefs.

Delving into the concept that thoughts are not concrete entities but transient images in our minds, the podcast challenges the idea of attaching permanence to our narratives. It explores the fluidity of personal experiences, the evolving nature of memories, and the liberating effect of understanding the temporary nature of thoughts. Through personal anecdotes, it highlights the importance of storytelling and human connection in reshaping our identities.

It's easy to confuse "FEELING" with what people commonly understand as their "feelings" -- what we would call emotions.  When Three Principles practitioners talk about listening for the FEELING, we are talking about what Sydney Banks called "the silence of our minds."  The FEELING that comes when our minds get quiet and we are open to wisdom is peace of mind, contentment, ease, a sense of connection to the energy of life.  It is not an emotion; it is quietude.  Paying attention to our ever-changing emotions to search for the FEELING there is pointless.  The FEELING of peace is before thought.  Feelings are shadows of our thoughts.Support the show

Exploring the power of focusing on our ability to think rather than the details of our thoughts; highlighting the impact of our state of mind on how we experience thoughts; advocating for a fresh perspective and new insights in every moment

Exploring the illusion of separate realities in a divided world, the podcast delves into finding common ground through understanding and empathy. It discusses the power of thought in shaping individual beliefs and the importance of respectful dialogue in fostering harmony. Touching on the significance of listening to inner wisdom and promoting love and understanding in interactions, the episodes aims to bridge divides and reconnect humanity.

Exploring the simplicity behind mental health issues and the power of our thoughts in shaping our reality. Discussing the transformative shift towards viewing individuals as inherently healthy. Emphasizing simplifying thoughts to navigate complexity and breaking through mental barriers. Embracing simplicity through mindful creation and navigating emotions for better management.