Psychology Has It Backwards

The podcast discusses the misconception of relying on external fixes for mental health, urging individuals to tap into their innate resilience and well-being. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and inner wisdom for personal growth, highlighting the power of self-reflection and inner healing abilities. The chapters explore the pitfalls of overthinking and the significance of prioritizing inner happiness for lasting change.

This podcast challenges traditional psychology by discussing how we don't have to conform to expected reactions in negative situations. It explores the idea that we all access our own wisdom in our own way, emphasizing the importance of innate health guiding us to the answers we need.

The magic of working in the Principles is seeing how people transform via their own insights into life. The experience of insight awakened all of us to the power of change from within, and when we see it happen to others as we work to them, the experience is joyful and inspiring. No one can fix another person; intellectual insights don't really change people. But true insight, a beam of wisdom lighting the mind and bringing to life a new idea, is transformational. These "Aha!" moments emerge from a hopeful feeling and a quiet mind, and the more we have, the more we live our dreams.Support the show

Exploring the influence of diverse states of mind on perception and communication, highlighting the transformative power of shifting focus towards positivity. Understanding the impact of client emotions on therapists and the importance of maintaining emotional boundaries. Reflecting on how readily states of mind lift and how life looks different with a change in mindset.

Exploring mindfulness in psychology, the podcast discusses how it focuses on awareness of the present moment and accepting feelings. It contrasts traditional methods with the power of quieting the mind, explores mindfulness in athletic performance, and the misconception of finding inner peace externally. It reveals the body's self-healing capabilities in response to stress and emphasizes self-management for mental well-being.

Exploring the limitations of Cognitive Therapies in addressing mental health struggles, the podcast delves into the power of Thought versus the nature of Thought. It highlights the importance of understanding our capacity to change our minds rather than focusing on altering existing thoughts. Additionally, it discusses transforming negative thoughts, finding inner strength in cognitive therapy, and the challenges of relapse in therapy progress.

Increasingly, we've noticed people feeling defined by their diagnosis, even in some cases seeing it as a "reason" for issues that arise in their life. Comments like, "It's my depression kicking in," or "My anxiety is really bothering me this week," or "I'm bipolar and lately I have more lows than highs." The general focus on labels for misunderstood thinking causes both individuals and therapists to focus on the problem, what they perceive as wrong, rather than finding hope for cure and relief from temporary distress.Support the show

When we see diagnoses as conditions caused by events or people in our lives doing us psychological harm, both therapists and clients get trapped in diagnoses because we can't change the past. So life becomes about treating and coping with our mental health diagnoses, rather than finding peace and true mental well-being and being free of them. It's a matter of perspective; knowing we are the thinkers creating our experience of reality with the power to think frees us to use our power to change.Support the show

Happiness is a natural state for all human beings; when our minds are at peace, we fall into a state of happiness with no effort. When we have innocently used our own thinking to create turmoil and negativity and unhappiness, the intention to turn away from our circular thoughts and quiet down takes us effortlessly back to peace and contentment. People expend a lot of effort chasing elusive happiness in the external world, frustrated when they cannot achieve it. But we always already have it; it's like a hidden gem within us.Support the show

Everyone, looking back on their life, can think of times they said or did things they regret, from hurtful remarks to physical violence. For some people, acting on their worst thoughts seems like a release from their own psychological pain and insecurity, regardless of consequences. Understanding the relationship between our ever-changing states of mind and thoughts allows us to maintain our bearings to keep ourselves safe and respond from common sense, rather than experiencing escalating rage or fear.Support the show