Replacing Automatic Thinking with Choice and Resonance

Unbiased thinking is the art of seeking neutral resonance. This is done by closely examining reasoning, assumptions, and tracing out implications. Seeking the true origin of what is said was an established practice in Ancient Greece.

Socrates developed a method of questioning to achieve clarity 2,500 years ago and his practice, the Socratic Method was followed by Plato, Aristotle and other historical figures. The Socratic Method is still relevant today as a comprehensive approach to knowledge and information. According to Socrates a trained mind is prepared to see things from a deeper perspective. Greek philosophers recognized that the mind could not be left safely with its natural tendencies — for it automatically repeats the specific information it resonates with. 

Modern science has proven that the brain encodes and integrates patterns of information acquired from the environment through energy sensory inputs, which later generate adaptive behavioral responses.

Patterns of information inside our mind cloud are automatically triggered for decision making, and then affects how we communicate and resonate with others.

This is known as automatic thinking.

In 1976, Aaron Beck who passed away 10 days ago, was a pioneer of cognitive therapy and found thematic patterns of limiting thinking in automatic thoughts. 

Below I share five patterns of limiting thinking that he identified:

1. Filtering: When we look at only one element of a situation and exclude everything else. The reality is colored by one thing or focal point.

For example, people who experience chronic anger that focus on injustice and rule out fairness and equity. Anxious people who focus on danger and rule out harmlessness.

2. Polarized Thinking: Is “either”/”or”, black-and-white thinking, excluding any shade in between. The greater danger in polarized thinking is how you judge yourself and others. Interpretations and emotional reactions are extremes. People are either “good” or “bad,” “trustworthy” or “traitor.”

3. Overgeneralization: You make a general conclusion based in an isolated incident. For example: if someone you know doesn’t say hello and you conclude that “everyone excludes you.” This limited pattern of thinking is also related to labeling people, places, and things.
   
   For example: “ignorant”, “racist”, “misogynist”, “anti-Semite”, “terrorist”, etc.
   
   Here are some words used in “overgeneralization”: all, every, none, never, always, everybody, and nobody.

4.  Magnifying: To make someone or something appear greater or more important than they are. “Small mistakes become tragic failures. Minor suggestions become scathing criticism.”
   
   Here are some words used in “magnifying”: huge, impossible and overwhelming.
   
   The flip side of magnifying is minimizing.

5.  Shoulds: This limiting pattern of thinking works from inflexible rules about how you and others should behave. These rules are meant to teach us what is right and they are unquestionable.
   
   Any deviation triggers judgement.
   
   Here are some words used in “Shoulds”: should, ought, or must. If it makes sense or no sense to you it doesn’t matter, and the most important is to act in a certain way conveyed by others.

Limited thinking are patterns of information inside our mind cloud that are acquired from the repetitive information we have been exposed to, that limit our personal and collective resonance.

Awareness, unbiased thinking, and unlimited resonance are your choice.

Make your best choice today.

Balance your resonance, the world needs you!