Making the Unconscious Conscious - SWEET INSTITUTE - Continuing Education for Mental Health Professionals

Becoming a Supertherapist

Mardoche Sidor, MD and Karen Dubin, PhD, LCSW — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 08:55:39 +0000

How do you become, hands-down, the most effective therapist you could have ever dreamed of becoming? Can anyone become a Supertherapist? To help answer these questions, let us start with the following 12 Initial Inquires: What are your success rates? When was the last time you evaluated that? What tools have you been using for this type of evaluation? Do you have a way to measure your progress as a clinician? Do you have a way to measure your progress for (or with) each of your clients? Do you know any clinicians who you would consider to be top in their clinical performance? Do you know what they’ve been doing to set themselves apart? Have you ever thought of finding out? Would you like to find out now? Do you believe you can become a Supertherapist? Would you like to become one? Are you aware of the benefits that come with being a Supertherapist? Now, very few of us enjoy being evaluated. Even when we ask for feedback, we don’t always welcome what we hear or we dread what we think we are going to hear. This fear is related to a number of factors [1]. What matters here is the fact that we might, at times, do whatever it takes to skip being evaluated. Yet, unfortunately, this avoidance is not without an impact [2]. The impact, in turn, is on us, on our patients and their family members, on the agencies where we practice, and on society at large. On the other hand, such a multidimensional impact has a simple and unique solution: Becoming a Supertherapist. That’s right. Simple and unique. Now, by simple and unique, we are actually also saying easy and straightforward. All you need is to just choose to become a Supertherapist and the rest will be up to us, at the SWEET Institute. For we will soon hand you the secrets; and they are far from what you might expect. And you will not only find them simple but you will also find an eagerness in doing them. Part of that is because they are the things you had always been wanting to do, to start with; but you simply did not know how. Secondly, these secrets that you will be introduced to lie at the core of why we are in this field, to start with; and they, therefore, tap into our innermost intrinsic motivations [3]. Thirdly, they are some of the most practical secrets known to mankind. They are super easy to implement. They barely take any extra time, and in fact, they save us time. They save us headaches. They save aggravations, fear, explanations, justifications, or paperwork. They also save us the need to practice defensive work. And more importantly, they lead to increased patient satisfaction, enhanced clinical outcomes, increased productivity, decreased show rate, decreased dropout, more income for agencies or your practice, and decreased liability. What’s more is that these secrets increase clinician satisfaction, and decrease burnout, including cynicism, and sense of disempowerment, and the sense of getting stuck. These secrets are the answer to why you are in this field. They will enhance your sense of self, your image as a clinician, your sense of fulfillment, and the joy of being the type of therapist that makes the biggest difference in the lives of the highest number of people throughout your career, no matter how long you may have been practicing. It matters not whether you have been practicing for 30 years, or 10 years, or 2 years. It matters not whether your degree is in social work, or psychology, or counseling, or medicine, or nursing, or coaching. The secrets we will be giving you are designed to make you the Supertherapist that you, too, can be. Now, unto you: What do you think those secrets might be? Where do you think they lie? What do you think it takes to become a super therapist? While waiting for the next article on this series, here’s what you can do: Be one of the first 100 hundred clinicians to send your thoughts and you may earn a free 6-month one-on-one coaching session with SWEET Click here to register for one or both of our upcoming certificate courses Trauma Treatment Protocol Certificate Course: Click Here to Join Us Loneliness Certificate Course: Click Here to Join Us [1] Reichenberger, Julia, Joshua M. Smyth, and Jens Blechert. “Fear of evaluation unpacked: day-to-day correlates of fear of negative and positive evaluation.” Anxiety, Stress, & Coping 31.2 (2018): 159-174 [2] Lynd-Stevenson, Robert M., and Christie M. Hearne. “Perfectionism and depressive affect: The pros and cons of being a perfectionist.” Personality and Individual Differences 26.3 (1999): 549-562. [3] Prendergast, Canice. “Intrinsic motivation and incentives.” American Economic Review 98.2 (2008): 201-205.

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Habit Formation and CBI

Mardoche Sidor, MD and Karen Dubin, PhD, LCSW — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 14:46:17 +0000

Consciousness-Based Intervention (CBI)1,2,3,4 is a modality that consists of providing individuals with the tools they need to start living in reality instead of continuing to live in fantasies or illusions. For this to take place, an experiential understanding5, in addition to an intellectual understanding, is required. However, we have patterns that interfere with such an experiential understanding, and this, then, calls for the need for block removal, which, can be accomplished through a series of Unconscious-Based Interventions (UBI)6,7,8. Yet, Unconscious-Based Interventions require practice. The same patterns that get in the way of an intellectual understanding of CBI also make it difficult for one to actually practice UBI9. Those patterns take the forms of habits10,11, and unless they are dealt with, one will continue to be facing an uphill battle12. Therefore, both common sense and the scientific method of problem-solving dictate that addressing the challenge at its root means addressing the real obstacle head on – our habits. In this vein, it becomes clear that the proper delivery and effectiveness, and quality of CBI or even UBI rests upon successful habit formation or habit shaping13, hence our current focus. First, we are to define what we are calling a habit. So, what is a habit? There are several definitions for the word “habit.” As we go over a few of them, we will proceed with a comment on each one of them. Definition 1: A habit is, “a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.” In this definition, it is worth highlighting the terms, “settled,” “regular,” “tendency,” “practice,” and “hard to give up.” Let us now examine each one of these highlighted terms. Settled: Means “steady,” “predictable,” “not likely to change,” and “comfortable,” It also means, “established,” “determined,” “Settled,” is related to the verb, “To settle,” which means to resolve or reach an agreement about something. Regular: Means a constant or definite pattern. It is related to the terms, “methodical,” “systematic,” “structured,” “well ordered,” and “well organized.” It also means, “recurring,” “uniform,” “even,” “consistent,” “constant,” “unchanging,” and “unvarying.” Whether a habit works for us or not, these are its characteristics. This means that forming or shaping the types of habits that do serve us is in our best interest. However, we know it is not so straightforward. And the reason for this is intrinsic to the definition of “habit,” itself. Yet, paradoxically, the same factors that make a habit so hard to let go of are the same factors that will help us let go of them. This is, of course, when we understand these factors. And this, in turn, can be accomplished by examining them and by exploring each of the components of a habit. Let us now move on to the next set of terms used to define habit. Tendency: A tendency is an “inclination toward a particular characteristic or type of behavior.” From this definition, one may suspect that the process of habit formation entails learning about one’s tendency, particularly in the specific area where the habit formation is expected to take place. For this, one will benefit from a series of self-awareness tests, and a series of logs. In other words, helping individuals discover their strengths, personality traits, way of thinking, feeling, and being can be a great way to set them up for success in habit formation. Practice: “Practice,” is “the actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method.” Practice also means exercise, procedure, tradition or custom. From this definition of the word, “practice,” one may suspect that habits are formed as a result of the application, exercise, routine, tradition, or custom. In other words, for a habit to be present15 there is a requirement for the application of exercises of certain routines until they become automated. As such, helping individuals learn how to develop a routine, how to get started, how to practice optimally, and how to remain consistent, is an essential pillar in the success of habit formation. It is “hard to give up,” a habit because: It gets reinforced, each time it is performed It gets more and more consolidated with each reinforcement It forms newer and stronger associations with each reinforcement With time, it gets generalized, automated, and it eventually takes place as if on an autopilot These patterns of a habit make it hard to break. Habit formation, therefore, entails an individual’s awareness of their already formed habits. While the focus will not be on the habits that are already present, we can learn much from our current habits to help inform a more strategic habit formation process. More soon. References: https://www.amazon.com/Psychotherapy-Certificate-Course-Clinician-Manual/dp/B08FXKPHJ1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HBAG6N1K7YT1&keywords=psychotherapy+certificate+course&qid=1675530727&sprefix=psychotherapy+certificate+course+%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Book-II-Psychotherapy-Certificate-Clinician-ebook/dp/B08R7YJ8WF/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1HBAG6N1K7YT1&keywords=psychotherapy+certificate+course&qid=1675530727&sprefix=psychotherapy+certificate+course+%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-2 https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Missing-Mardoche-Sidor-MD/dp/B09BGG7VDW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Y65SJG1CK78V&keywords=what%27s+missing%2C+mardoche+Sidor%2C+md&qid=1675531100&sprefix=what%27s+missing%2C+mardoche+sidor%2C+md%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-1 https://sweetinstitute.com/our-psychotherapy-course-a-brief-summary-of-what-we-have-seen-so-far/ https://sweetinstitute.com/the-breath-awareness-method-the-why/ https://sweetinstitute.com/healthy-relationship-with-thoughts-and-foundation-for-unconscious-based-interventions/ https://sweetinstitute.com/the-why-of-unconscious-based-interventions/ https://sweetinstitute.com/conscious-unconscious-alignment/ https://sweetinstitute.com/blocks/ https://sweetinstitute.com/the-power-of-habit/ https://sweetinstitute.com/behavior-modification-decision-matrix/ https://sweetinstitute.com/i-want-something-different/ https://sweetinstitute.com/understanding-behavior-change/ https://sweetinstitute.com/behavior-substitution/ https://sweetinstitute.com/behavior-substitution/

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Motivation, Willpower, and The Cognitive Faculty Assignment Approach

Mardoche Sidor, MD and Karen Dubin, PhD, LCSW — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 13:32:24 +0000

The word, motivation, is defined as “the reason to act or behave in a particular way[1].” It is the “general desire or willingness to do something.[2]” It is also defined as a motive, incentive, stimulus, or inspiration[3]. And it may be related to enthusiasm, drive, ambition, determination, or taking initiative. In other words, a motivational state can represent a force that leads someone to engage in goal-directed behavior.[4] But does motivation really work? Does it last? Do we really end up doing that which we would like to do just because we feel motivated to do it? Do we still get to do something even when there are obstacles, as long as we are motivated enough? In other words, is motivation the ultimate answer? Is it what’s ultimately missing? Unfortunately, we can be motivated to do something, yet still not do it. This is because different states of our mind are continuously competing. Our strongest state will end up determining what we end up doing[5]. Desire is often the state related to motivation[6]. However, the other states that are competing are related to our beliefs about that which we seem to desire or be motivated to do.[7] For example, we have access to a set of Unconscious-based interventions, that provide us with direct access to our unconscious mind, and that allow us to identify our unconscious patterns. They support us in identifying how we have been reinforcing these unconscious patterns, and how to self-eradicate them. These Unconscious-based interventions also provide us with direct access to our unconscious mind and allow us to experience ourselves as we really are, the Truth as it really is, and Reality as it really exists. And all we need is to practice. If you have been practicing regularly, frequently, and intensely, it is just a matter of time before you are able to identify your patterns, let go of reinforcing them and permit them to self-eradicate. It is just a matter of time before you experience yourself, others, the world, Truth, and Reality, in their purest form. It is just a matter of time before you truly know Freedom, Peace, Health, Harmony, Joy, Authentic Happiness, and Authentic Success. It is also just a matter of time before you start working with others in your practice, and in your surroundings, helping them to learn how to also achieve all this, both through your modeling, and their experiential learning. On the other hand, those of us, who have not been practicing regularly, frequently, and intensely are motivated to do so. We have the desire, we have decided, and we are willing to do it. Yet, we still don’t do it, with the regularity, frequency, and intensity required for these interventions to work as they are meant to. We are motivated, we want it, we desire it, we start, and we work hard, but we get to a point where this regularity, this frequency, this intensity, goes out the window. And we know they are patterns. We know these same patterns are preventing us from practicing optimally. Therefore, self-eradication is not taking place. And, the vicious cycle continues. What are we to do then? Is there anything that we can do? What’s the solution? Is there even one? The solution follows one of Einstein’s principles of problem-solving. Albert Einstein once said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same type of thinking that created them.” Each time there is something we desire, want, and are motivated to do, but cannot do it, it means we are using the same type of thinking that is not going to get us there. This same type of thinking is related to a pattern that will need to self-eradicate. Yet, that self-eradication will be possible only by practicing Unconscious-based interventions. For us to practice then, we ought to be smarter about it. This means instead of using our willpower, or just our motivation, or our conscious thought, which is driven by our unconscious patterns, we will, instead, make use of the Cognitive Faculty Assignment Approach (CFAA). What is the Cognitive Faculty Assignment Approach (CFAA)? In a previous SWEET article, entitled, Why the Cognitive Faculty Assignment Approach, written in preparation for our Imagination-Focused Therapy Certificate Course, we defined the Cognitive Faculty Assignment Approach (CFAA) as a new attitude toward our tasks, and our chores, and toward our activities as they relate to our cognitive function of imagination. We explained that it is a new way to go about the different things we must do, all these things we have on our calendar, all these patients we are scheduled to see, all these meetings we are scheduled to attend, and all the personal things we deal with. We also described how the moment we wake up in the morning until we retire for bed, there are countless tasks, activities, and chores for us to do. We added that some of these tasks are emerging, others are urgent, some are routine, while others are overdue, unexpected, or anticipated. Some of these chores we look forward to. Some other ones we may dread. And some others we may be indifferent about. Regardless of how we feel about them, they are in our mind. They seek our attention. They are in the back of our head and even when we try suppressing them, they only shift to our preconscious or unconscious mind and continue to drive us. They just do not go away. In that article, we talked about Ann, a clinician who has been doing so much, but has been using her existing thinking patterns to solve her problems, and instead of having Peace, Freedom, Joy, etc., she is burned out. We then established that as an illustration of why the Cognitive Faculty Assignment Approach (CFAA) is necessary. If you are currently participating in our ongoing Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT) Certificate Course, you will get to learn about CFAA. If, on the other hand, you are not currently taking IFT, note that the fourth week of […]

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Why Using the Opportunity Principle

Mardoche Sidor, MD and Karen Dubin, PhD, LCSW — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 13:41:37 +0000

The Opportunity Principle is a fundamental principle of the Inside-Out Paradigm. According to the Inside-Out Paradigm: Everything is the reflection of our inner mental processes, of our cognitive functions, and of our inner workings (The Reflection Principle[1]) Everything and everyone we perceive or become aware of is ourselves pushed out on the outside. In other words, we are simply and always perceiving, observing, becoming aware of ourselves, an active version of ourselves, or an active state of ourselves (The Mirror Principle[2]) We are either projecting[3] or extending, it’s always about us and only about us (The Projection Principle and the Extension Principle) Everything about life, everything in our life, everyone, every interaction always follows the Reflection Principle, the Mirror Principle, and the Projection or the Extension Principle Everything, including every interaction with everyone follows the above four principles because the meaning of everything is for us to experience and to learn, so we can then model and evolve. As a result, everything in life is always for the interest of experiencing, learning, modeling, and evolving. This means everything that takes place, including every interaction we have, is in everyone’s best interest (The Best Interest Principle). This includes those times when this may seem to not be the case To review: Everything reflects our inner life, mirrors our internal state, indicates whether we are projecting or extending, is always for everyone’s best interest, is information to us (The Information Principle), is part of our learning process (The Learning Principle), is part of our process of experiencing (The Experiencing Process), is part of our evolution process (The Evolution Principle), and is always an opportunity for us (The Opportunity Principle). As such, the Opportunity Principle is the only meaning for everything and the one meaning of all things. In other words, everything is an opportunity. Everything is information for us. Everything is part of our learning process and is part of our process of experiencing and of evolving. This also means that whatever other meaning we give to anything or to any interaction with anyone is simply part of the meaning that we ourselves come up with (subjective meaning), but none of these meanings have anything to do with what is really happening. We can also assign meaning to things that take place in our life or to interactions that we have with others, and these meanings may be shared by others who share our values, or our belief system (cultural meaning); or, these meanings may also be shared by almost everyone in society (societal or collective meaning). However, none of these meanings really have anything to do with what is really going on, and therefore they mean nothing beyond the fact that they are just meanings. This is because there is only one meaning to everything. This one meaning principle is due to the fact that meaning is a function of purpose, and there is only one purpose to everything, and that one purpose to everything follows the Best Interest Principle. And since everything is for everyone’s best interest, everything is then an opportunity for us to: Notice our best interest Become aware of our best interest Make use of our best interest and build upon it for our continuous development But what is our best interest? Our best interest is that which permits us to experience, learn, and evolve. It is that which enables us to fulfill our shared purpose of modeling, and our unique and specific purpose of participating in the process of evolution. Having said that, it may not be a surprise that most of us tend to have different ideas of what is for our best interest. This is so, even when we realize that what we thought was going to be for our best interest ended up not being so, and what we thought would be the “worst thing” for us ended up being the “best thing” that ever took place. Yet, this realization seems to only come later. In the moment, we are bound to the meanings that we have created about the circumstance. In other words, we are not learning from our experiences, we are taking them for granted, and as a result, we are failing to consciously learn, consciously grow, and consciously evolve. This then means we are failing to model consciously, and therefore we are failing to consciously participate in the process of evolution. If everything is for our own best interest, why is it that what we think is for our best interest may differ from what is really for our best interest? Here are some of the mechanisms to explain this discrepancy: We operate from an ordinary or normal blueprint We operate from an outside-in paradigm We run our life based on perception and appearances, instead of based on knowledge, and we barely know the difference between knowledge and perception We are programmed to measure success based on where we went to school; how many degrees we have; our titles; how much money we have; the type of cars we drive; the type of house we live in; and the types of friends we have. We then permit this construct to replace our best interest. What we fail to understand is that we can have all the above without the false and limiting belief that this is what it means to be successful. We can have all the above without being attached to them. And we can have all the above, knowing that our best interest goes beyond them[4] The way out of operating from an ordinary blueprint, or from an outside-in paradigm, or from a paradigm that is based on perception, is for us to start making use of the Opportunity Principle. And this is the way of using the Opportunity Principle. [1] Fahkry, Tony. “Why Life Is a Mirror Reflecting Your Inner World.” Medium, Mission.org, 10 June 2020, https://medium.com/the-mission/why-life-is-a-mirror-reflecting-your-inner-world-a7ad344be6c0. [2] Steenbarger, Brett. “The Mirror Principle: Shaping Your Experience, Shaping Your Self.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 30 June 2015, https://www.forbes.com/sites/brettsteenbarger/2015/06/30/the-mirror-principle-shaping-your-experience-shaping-your-self/?sh=713bc91f3ec0. [3] […]

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How does The Opportunity Principle Work?

Mardoche Sidor, MD and Karen Dubin, PhD, LCSW — Sun, 30 Oct 2022 17:34:54 +0000

The Opportunity Principle can be defined as: The fundamental truth that everything that happens in life is a set of circumstances that makes it possible for us to advance and evolve. The basic truth that life is a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place. Why the Opportunity Principle: Understanding the Opportunity Principle entails understanding the Mirror Principle and the Reflection Principle According to the Mirror Principle, life is but a mirror[1]. A mirror shows nothing different from who is looking. Whatever it is that we are looking at and whenever we are looking at it, it is Life. And as we are looking at Life, we are looking at ourselves. According to the Reflection Principle, everything on the outside is but a reflection of the inside[2]. Everything we perceive on the outside is simply telling us about ourselves, about the inside, about our mind, our mental activities, and our cognitive functions or processes[3] This is the mechanism, whether we are aware of it or not. The Opportunity Principle helps us become aware of it. Once we understand it, we can learn how to use it How it works then, is that as things are happening, some of us may feel victimized[4], while others may say “life gives me lemons and I am going to make lemonade.” If, on the other hand, we understand and learn to apply the Opportunity Principle, we no longer get or need to interpret things either through the lens of victimization or through the lens of stoicism. The Opportunity Principle is not a philosophical ideology, not a religious, spiritual, or metaphysical concept. Yet, if you look at the root of all these four systems of thought formulation, you’ll find the Opportunity Principle is their foundation, just as we now know it in Science. Interestingly enough, the best scientists – those who have changed the face of science and the world, have all understood and operated from the Opportunity Principle. The best scientists know that when they have a hypothesis, it will be neither good nor bad to find their hypothesis is either proven or refuted. All there is, is an opportunity to either move along with the hypothesis or reconsider. Of course, most scientists are trying to get published and get grants, and everything is black or white, and to them, it’s either success or failure; and their ego is more important than establishing what is true. In fact, many scientists misrepresent their data – a fact well-known in the academic world, and proven in Metascience. On the other hand, the scientists whose sole concern is to establish the truth go by the principles of Truth, and use the Opportunity Principle, as one of these Principles of Truth. What are the opportunities? They are endless and unlimited. Here are 10 of the Most Common Forms of the Opportunity Principle: Everything around me is an opportunity for me to: Notice Become aware (Bringing awareness to it) Acknowledge Embrace Neutralize Correct (Undo if interfering, through conscious denial, through conscious splitting and dissociation) Enhance (Intensify, if promoting, by making more conscious and increasing conscious-unconscious alignment) Realize Shift (Move to an Inside-out Paradigm) Transcend (Operating from an Inside-out Paradigm, live in the paradox, being steadily in Reality, while acknowledging perception for what it is, without denying, and acknowledging it as an opportunity, knowing that there is only what is Real: Health, abundance, etc.) How do we go about using the Opportunity Principle? Notice (A thought, a feeling, a behavior, or an event) Acknowledge (Acknowledge how everything is an opportunity, and this is no exception) Use Opportunity Scanning (Using the Opportunity Inquiry: What is this an opportunity for? Followed by 6-10 second Breath Awareness) Use the opportunity (It may be: A. strengthening your ability to just notice without the need to do anything; or B. Practicing Neutralizing; or C. Practicing Instant Correction; or D. Shifting) Look forward to the next opportunity To note: Anything happening at any time is always an opportunity. This is regardless of it being considered to be “good,” or “bad,” since we know that nothing is either good or bad, but simply an opportunity. While our human psychology will naturally have us gravitate toward using the Opportunity Principle for only things that we do not like, this is only a start. Ultimately, we will highly benefit from making use of the Opportunity Principle as often as possible for anything that we may be experiencing. For, this is how we get to real experiential understanding, which is required for our brain to truly unlearn, relearn, learn again, and then fully consolidate. Are you ready to truly live within the Opportunity Principle? We look forward to hearing from you. [1] Steenbarger, Brett. “The Mirror Principle: Shaping Your Experience, Shaping Your Self.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 30 June 2015, https://www.forbes.com/sites/brettsteenbarger/2015/06/30/the-mirror-principle-shaping-your-experience-shaping-your-self/?sh=713bc91f3ec0. [2] Pavuka, Olga. “How the Outside World Is a Reflection of Our Internal State of Mind.” DeepH, 6 July 2021, https://www.deeph.io/how-the-outside-world-is-a-reflection-of-our-internal-state-of-mind/. [3] Ibrahim, Mike. “Your Best Self: What It Means to Evolve as a Person.” LinkedIn, 31 Mar. 2021, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/your-best-self-what-means-evolve-person-mike-ibrahim/. [4] “Victim Mentality: Causes, Symptoms, and More.” WebMD, WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-a-victim-mentality#:~:text=People%20who%20have%20a%20victim,over%20what%20happens%20to%20them.

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The Opportunity Principle

Mardoche Sidor, MD and Karen Dubin, PhD, LCSW — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 21:16:48 +0000

The word “Opportunity” is defined as: A set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something A favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place [1] A chance of greater success A situation in which it is possible for you to do something that you want to do[2] A good chance or occasions, as to advance oneself[3] The etymology of the word, “opportunity” is through the Latin word, “opportunus, “opportunitas” which means: “fit,” Convenient Seasonable time [4] The word, “Principle”, on the other hand, means, A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation or a system of belief or behavior or for a chain reasoning A general scientific theorem or law that has numerous special applications across a wide field A general or basic truth on which other truths or theories can be based A basic idea or rule that explains or controls how something happens or works A proposition or value that is a guide for behavior or evaluation [5] The etymology of the word, “principle,” is through the Latin words, “princeps,” “princip” which mean “first” or “chief.” Its etymology is also through the Latin word, “principium,” which means “source,” and the Latin word, “principia,” which means “foundations.”[6] Looking at the definition of both words; “opportunity,” and “principle,” we can easily appreciate the ripple effect, the meaning, the ramifications, and the limitless nature of the Opportunity Principle. Through the meaning of both words, separately, we get to appreciate the significance, the magnitude, and the essence of the Opportunity Principle. Simply put, the Opportunity Principle is the meaning of everything and of all things; and is the only meaning there is. In other words, nothing means anything other than what follows the Opportunity Principle. Stated in another way, it does not matter what meaning we give to anything, none of such meanings matter or mean anything unless the meaning follows the Opportunity Principle. Everything follows the Opportunity Principle implies that: Nothing is good or bad Everything is neutral The neutrality of everything lies in the fact that everything is to be activated Things get activated either in a promoting or in an interfering way The only way we get to activate things in a promoting way is by seeing them through the lens of the Opportunity Principle Anything perceived outside the Opportunity Principle gets activated in an interfering way When activated in an interfering way, the interference leads to a ripple effect When activated in a promoting way, the promotion equally leads to a ripple effect How does that work exactly? Might there be some exceptions? Are you implying that everything, including sickness, death, failure, a demotion, or getting fired is neutral? And we answer: Yes. Not convinced? Then let us try this: Have you ever heard about someone who got sick, went to the doctor, they are diagnosed with a malignant tumor, that is still at its early stage, and that person’s overall life got saved? Have you ever heard about someone who is sick, stays home, rests, spends some time alone, reflecting; then returns to work, hands in their letter of resignation, goes and follows their passion, and ends up making a major contribution that their job would have never allowed them to do? But what about death, you ask? Ok. What about it? First of all, you do know that you do not really know that death is “bad” for the person who died, right? We hope you are wise enough to know that you cannot pretend to know that death was bad for the deceased. Now, when it comes to the people who are mourning the deceased, do you happen to really know why they may be sad? Do you really believe that they are sad because someone died? Might you consider that they may be sad for reasons they, themselves, are not really aware of; but for reasons that they unconsciously and mistakenly associate to the death of someone? You may be saying, well, “they were not sad until that person died,” to which we will respond to you, “Well, the dog salivated[7] at the sound of the bell. Does that mean it is truly the bell that caused the salivation, to start with? Or, is it possible that the dog was conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell?” If you fully understand Classical Conditioning[8] and Associative Learning[9] you will then understand how because the normal response to something is universal, it does not mean that thing is bad or good or natural. Rather, it may mean that we all have been conditioned to respond a certain way. Having been conditioned to respond a certain way does not remove the Neutrality Principle that is inherent in everything. And it does not remove the Opportunity Principle either. Finally Why the Opportunity Principle? We are here to evolve, and to participate in the process of evolution of life Evolving entails experiencing, and experiencing involves learning[10] Learning entails contrast. Contrast means difference between what we desire or prefer and what we do not What we desire does not mean “good,” and what we do not desire does not mean “bad.” Yet, we all have both universal and unique desires and preferences; and they are not really based on “good or bad,” rather on choices The vast majority of our choices are unconscious[11]; and may interfere with our own evolution. Interfering with our own evolution is not “bad,” rather it is an opportunity The Opportunity Principle keeps everything, or brings everything back, on track because this is the only one and true meaning of each and everything. It’s like the homeostatic system of life With keeping and bringing back everything on track, the Opportunity Principle ensures the continuous process of evolution. Are you ready to start applying the Opportunity Principle? Then send your comment and questions. [1] “Opportunity Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunity. [2] Opportunity. OPPORTUNITY | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/opportunity [3] “Opportunity Definition […]

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The Passing Principle and the Process of Pattern Eradication

Mardoche Sidor, MD and Karen Dubin, PhD, LCSW — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 16:25:55 +0000

Most people have no idea that their whole life is a product of their unconscious patterns[1]. They, therefore, do not know what these patterns are. They then neither know that they are reinforcing these patterns nor how they are doing that[2]. Pattern reinforcement is both unconscious and subtle. Since the more a pattern gets reinforced the more strengthened and consolidated it gets, we can see how most people are trapped in a seemingly ever going vicious cycle. We can also see how anyone can turn their whole life trajectory around once they get out of such a cycle. How do we do that? We recognize that our life is a product of the unconscious patterns of our mind We understand that these unconscious patterns, in turn, are the product of operating from our Ordinary Blueprint We realize that the best way for us to address our pattern is through the process of eradication We understand that since it is a process, there are principles, a set of techniques, and a number of steps, which, when mastered, can help us both enhance and speed up the process One of the most common principles that can enhance and speed up the process of eradication is the Opportunity Principle via the Opportunity Scanning Another common principle that can enhance and speed up the process of eradication is the Passing Principle What is the Passing Principle? Simply put, the Passing Principle tells us that everything passes, nothing lasts forever, and everything has a beginning and an end. The Passing Principle also tells us that the beginning of anything is the end of something else and vice versa. Looking a bit deeper we get to see how the Passing Principle is related to the Opportunity Principle, though they are not the same. What is certain is that: When we apply the Opportunity Principle, we get to identify the opportunity to experience the Passing Principle When we apply the Passing Principle, we get to appreciate how it makes little sense to worry about something that has a solution; while, still, it makes little sense to worry about something that is yet to have a solution. For after all, nothing remains the same. As such, it becomes easier for us to then apply the Opportunity Principle, knowing that one way or another the situation will dissolve, and what we are left with is opportunity. How do we then use the Passing Principle? There is a number of ways we can go about using the Passing Principle: When we become aware of a thought that we are not consciously choosing, using the Passing Principle will help us discipline ourselves to not activate it. If it is already activated, then using the Passing Principle will help us discipline ourselves to not react to it and therefore to not reinforce it. If we are already reacting and reinforcing the thought, the Passing Principle will help us discipline ourselves to not further reinforce the thought pattern. Now, the more we get to use the Passing Principle in this case, the more we will be able to catch things early enough; and we will then be able to make successful use of it to then not unconsciously activate a thought that we are not consciously choosing The same process would apply if we were to replace thought with our feeling, or our behavior; with what we perceive, or what someone says; or with what is on the news, or any event. Everything passes. Nothing lasts forever. And knowing that everything passes is one of the most empowering places to be and one of the most powerful ways to enhance and speed up the process of eradication During Breath Awareness Practice[3], one of the steps is to become aware of sensations at the lip-nostril triangle. These sensations have always been present. We simply had not noticed them. They represent patterns of the unconscious mind – patterns that we are unaware of. This means how we relate to these sensations, just as we relate to our breath, mimics how we relate to our unconscious mind. This means, scratching or reacting, in any way, to any of the sensations encountered in the lip-nostril triangle is reacting to some forms of unconscious patterns. This means we are reinforcing these patterns without knowing that we are. Applying the Passing Principle as we perceive a sensation at the lip-nostril triangle, decreases the likelihood we will react to it. For since it is passing, why react to it? If it is passing why not simply let it go? Here’s your introduction to the Passing Principle, and how it enhances and speeds up the process of eradication. Now, go on, start applying it, master it, and help your clients do the same. [1] Dijksterhuis, Ap, and Loran F. Nordgren. “A theory of unconscious thought.” Perspectives on Psychological science 1.2 (2006): 95-109. [2] Jordan, Thomas. “Self-awareness, meta-awareness and the witness self.” Unpublished paper. Retrieved from: http://www. perspectus. se/tjordan (2001). [3] Rama, Swami, Rudolph Ballentine, and Alan Hymes. Science of breath: A practical guide. Himalayan Institute Press, 1998.

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Using the Opportunity Principle For Pattern Eradication

Mardoche Sidor, MD and Karen Dubin, PhD, LCSW — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 13:24:34 +0000

You’ve identified your patterns and how you’ve been reinforcing them. Now what? The answer: Do nothing But what does it really mean to do nothing? To do nothing means: To understand that whatever we do is part of the pattern-reinforcement-loop [1]; and that when it comes to our patterns, the less we do the better off we will be To realize that “doing” can take the form of action, focus, feeling, interpreting, or thinking. “Doing nothing[2]” therefore means not acting or focusing on, not feeling, not giving meaning to, and not thinking of, the pattern To appreciate that that which does not get reinforced weakens and then self-eradicates To realize that we can speed up the self-eradication process through the use of the Opportunity Principle To know that the Opportunity Principle speeds up the process by helping us realize where else we are making use of a particular pattern, what other forms it may take, and how else we may be reinforcing it, unconsciously. To understand that when using the Opportunity Principle, we are not acting or focusing on, not feeling, not giving meaning to, and not thinking of, the pattern. Rather we are retrieving the opportunity[3] that everything has, whether such a thing appears to us as either “good” or “bad” To acknowledge that as we are using the Opportunity Principle, we have entered Neutrality. This means using the Opportunity Principle does not mean that pattern is good or appears to be bad. It does not mean that “since it is an opportunity, it cannot be bad.” It does not mean anything of that nature. It simply means our pattern, just like everything else is an opportunity, and if we get to use and apply it, it will speed up the eradication process of our pattern. How do we go about making use of the opportunity principle: Use the Opportunity Scanning. What is that? Opportunity Scanning is a type of practice that consists of becoming aware of an opportunity present in each circumstance at any given time. By circumstance, it means everything, including our identified patterns. Now that we have a definition for Opportunity Scanning, let us now look at the steps to properly implement it. Opportunity Scanning: The Steps: Start with Breath Scanning Do the Opportunity Scanning Inquiry (What is this an opportunity for?). In the case of our patterns, we phrase the inquiry as, “What is this pattern an opportunity for?” Wait for at least 6 seconds and become aware of the opportunity available at the moment Complete with Breath Scanning The more we get to apply and use the Opportunity Principle, the easier and handier it gets. That means we will be able to apply it beyond pattern recognition, and under any circumstances throughout the day. What that also means is that we will be spending less time reinforcing our patterns, since we will be finding ourselves reacting less, paying closer attention, and living a conscious life. Now, isn’t this worth implementing and sharing?! [1] Mowrer, O. H., and Helen Jones. “Habit strength as a function of the pattern of reinforcement.” Journal of Experimental Psychology 35.4 (1945): 293. [2] Headlee, C. (2021). Do nothing: How to break away from overworking, overdoing, and underliving. HARMONY CROWN. [3] Kumar, Sanoj. Opportunity. The Spirit Mania, 2022.

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