Everything that is happening at this moment is a result of the
choices you'’ve made in the past, whether you agree or not. Unfortunately, a lot of us make choices unconsciously, and
therefore we don’t think they are choices — and yet, they are.
If I were to insult you, you would most likely make the choice of being offended. If I were to
pay you a compliment, you would most likely make the choice of being pleased or flattered. But
think about it: it’s still a choice.
I could offend you and I could insult you, and you could make the choice of not being
offended.
I could give you a compliment and you could make the choice of not letting that flatter
you either.
In other words, most of us — even though we are infinite choice-makers — have become bundles of conditioned reflexes that are constantly being triggered by people and circumstances into predictable outcomes of behaviour. These conditioned reflexes are like Pavlovian conditioning. Pavlov is famous for demonstrating that if you give a dog something to eat every time you ring a bell, soon the dog starts to salivate when you just ring the bell, because it has associated one stimulus with the other. Majority of us, as a result of conditioning, have repetitions and predictable responses to the stimuli in our environment.
Our reactions seem to be automatically triggered by people and circumstances, and we forget that these are still choices that we are making in every moment of our existence. We are simply making these choices unconsciously. Stepping back for a moment and witness the choices you are making as you make those choices, then in just this act of witnessing, you take the whole process from the unconscious realm into the conscious realm.
This procedure of conscious choice-making and witnessing is very empowering.When you make any choice — any choice at all — you can ask yourself two things: First of all, “What are the consequences of this choice that I’m making?” In your heart you will immediately know what these are. Secondly, “Will this choice that I’m making now bring happiness to me and to those around me?” If the answer is yes, then go ahead with that choice. If the answer is no, if that choice brings distress either to you or to those around you, then don’t make that choice. It’s as simple as that.
In other words, most of us — even though we are infinite choice-makers — have become bundles of conditioned reflexes that are constantly being triggered by people and circumstances into predictable outcomes of behaviour. These conditioned reflexes are like Pavlovian conditioning. Pavlov is famous for demonstrating that if you give a dog something to eat every time you ring a bell, soon the dog starts to salivate when you just ring the bell, because it has associated one stimulus with the other. Majority of us, as a result of conditioning, have repetitions and predictable responses to the stimuli in our environment.
Our reactions seem to be automatically triggered by people and circumstances, and we forget that these are still choices that we are making in every moment of our existence. We are simply making these choices unconsciously. Stepping back for a moment and witness the choices you are making as you make those choices, then in just this act of witnessing, you take the whole process from the unconscious realm into the conscious realm.
This procedure of conscious choice-making and witnessing is very empowering.When you make any choice — any choice at all — you can ask yourself two things: First of all, “What are the consequences of this choice that I’m making?” In your heart you will immediately know what these are. Secondly, “Will this choice that I’m making now bring happiness to me and to those around me?” If the answer is yes, then go ahead with that choice. If the answer is no, if that choice brings distress either to you or to those around you, then don’t make that choice. It’s as simple as that.
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