Process, and The Science of Behavior Change

In a previous article entitled, Power, Will Power, and The Science of Behavior Change, we explained the following:

1. We are here to enjoy nature
2. We enjoy nature by having fun and experiencing it
3. As we experience, we generate thoughts, which through the process of imagination gives rise to variance
4. Variance, in turn, generates aspirations, which we then choose to express or not
5. Should we choose to express our aspirations, there will be a process that is not bound in time or space – a process that we have no control over, though we have control over the outcome.

But why is that? What does that mean? Why and how is it that we have control over the outcome and not over the process? Here’s the answer:

1. The outcome is simply the final product of our aspiration [1]. The telephone, Internet, GPS, iPhone, airplane, going to space, ships, all of them are examples of outcomes we have been enjoying – outcomes that stem from aspirations – aspirations that derive from variance – variance generated from experiencing nature.
2. The reason why we have control over the outcome is because our aspirations are generated through our thought. Our thought is the Operant Factor, and the only one. And our thought is what gives rise to everything. In a previous article, we explained that we are the world, we generate the world. This is a self-created world, and this self-creation takes place through our thought. Because our thought is the Operant Factor, we cannot get anything outside our thought. We cannot get anything that contradicts our thought. As such, having control over the outcome simply means the outcome comes from us and us only. There is a caveat, however. We have an average of between 12,000 and 80,000 thoughts in a 24-hour period [2]. 97% of these thoughts are unconscious. Whether our thoughts are conscious or unconscious, they are still determining our outcomes. This means we may be witnessing outcomes without being conscious of or understand how they are related to us. This, is by far, one of the main reasons behind suffering. For it can be, and it is so confusing to be witnessing things in our life that seem to have nothing to do with our aspirations, with our decisions, or without our choosing. But what we witness, our outcomes, the results we have, can only be and are only witness to our thoughts, whether conscious or unconscious. In fact, our results or outcomes can help us become aware of thoughts that we were not or would not be aware otherwise. Therefore, we can be grateful for our outcomes, which we have control over by having a healthy relationship with our thoughts.
3. While we have power over our outcomes which have a linear relationship with our thoughts (whether conscious or unconscious), when it comes to the process of how the outcomes get finalized, we absolutely have no power over that. Let us elaborate further by using a few examples:

Suppose your aspiration is to be the director of a clinic that takes care of the geriatric population with depression. In that case, you may have generated such an aspiration from a variance that you have come up with using your thoughts. You may have had the thought that the geriatric population is not really receiving optimal treatment for their depression, and this seems to be due to a variety of reasons, and you would like to be in charge of the clinical decisions for a clinic that provides this specific service to this specific population. All this has been generating from and through your thoughts and imagination. Unless you change your thoughts on this, this is what you can expect to be or do, eventually. However, how you get there, which way to arrive there, and what exactly it takes to get there, is totally outside your power.

Yes, we can hear all your questions right now, in your head. We can hear all your, “yes buts,” and all your “what abouts” Let us clarify:

When you choose to express an aspiration, you may choose to clarify. Part of clarifying may entail or lead to developing a plan, a timeline, a set of strategies, etc.  This process of clarifying your aspiration is yours. You have the power over it, it is something to be encouraged, but it is not the same as the process by which your aspiration will be expressed as an outcome.

Have you ever had an aspiration, along with specific plans, yet arrive at the outcome in a way that is entirely different from how you thought it was going to take place? Yes, you certainly have, and now you understand why. [3]

Does the fact that you have no power over the process mean that there is nothing for you to do to express your outcome?

No. Having no power over it is not the same as having no responsibility. As Einstein says, “Nothing happens until something moves.” The moment you choose to express your aspiration, you start to have some thoughts and for you to progress nearer to your outcome, you may have to do something.

Here are some inquiries for you:

1. How do you now understand that you have no power over the process by which things take place?
2. How well have you been working with the process?
3. What do you think has been missing for you?

We would love to hear from you. We will see you again in our subsequent articles in this series on Behavioral Modification. Because behavior change requires power, a full understanding of power is the cornerstone of behavioral science. We hope you’ll take full advantage of this learning. At SWEET, we are fully dedicated to being for our fellow clinicians what all clinicians wish were available for them in their professional and personal development. We will not stop until all clinicians have what they truly need to express their aspirations, and help cease suffering worldwide. We are glad you have joined this movement. We welcome you and we will see you soon.

With love,
Karen and Mardoche

P.S. Feel free to join us for our next online workshop on The 8 Sublevels of Awareness and Habits, scheduled for 3/22, 7-9pm EDT. We look forward to welcoming you.

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[1] Hart, Caroline Sarojini. (2016) How Do Aspirations Matter?, Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 17:3, 324-341, DOI: 10.1080/19452829.2016.1199540

[2] Murdock, Jason. “Humans Have More than 6,000 Thoughts per Day, Psychologists Discover.” Newsweek, Newsweek, 15 July 2020, www.newsweek.com/humans-6000-thoughts-every-day-1517963.

[3] Johnson, Amy. “Let Go of Control: How to Learn the Art of Surrender.” Tiny Buddha, 15 Dec. 2020, tinybuddha.com/blog/let-go-of-control-how-to-learn-the-art-of-surrender/.