Notes of a Paranoid Schizophrenic

Neurosis: When we choose to do something that is negative but familiar, rather than something that is positive but unfamiliar.

“Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it only changes form” - Einstein.

I am always on the lookout for inspiration.  I just became aware of another teacher whose main business is teaching Internet Marketing, but he happens to also have some wisdom about changing from a negative and habitual mindset to a positive mindset.  I watched one of his videos this morning, and I found him to have some compelling things to teach us.  His name is Eben Pagan.

One of the things that he says, and that many of the other self-help gurus also say, is that we have to observe our own behaviour without judgment.  Just quietly observe the way we are.  I have been practicing this for a couple of months now, and believe it or not, it does bring some peace.  It’s as though we are observing the behaviour of a troubled friend, or a homeless person - we don’t hate these people (at least I don’t), but we empathise with them.  So why are we so tough on ourselves? Let me rephrase that – Why am I so tough on myself?

There has to be something that is holding us back from realizing our full potential, and yet so few of us really ever achieve our greatness.  Eben Pagan tells us that the brain is really three parts: the physical brain, the emotional brain, and the logical brain.  When these three parts are not in harmony, there is friction.  The friction is an inefficiency, and the inefficiency consumes our energy. Is this why depressed people are often listless and tired?  I certainly think that’s possible.  This energy could be better used for creative endeavors.  So how do we break the cycle?

So let’s say that the Logical Brain has a vision for success, and comes up with an original idea.  The Emotional Brain then steps in and sabotages the idea, to protect us from failure.  Emotional Brain says, no, don’t do it, it’s risky and dangerous.  So really Emotional Brain is just trying to protect us, to keep us safe.  The longer this happens, the more that this response becomes “hard-wired”, and it seems like a normal response for us.  And so we remain stuck in our mediocrity.  We  have “learned” that success is a dangerous path.

Eban Pagan suggests that we introduce the Logical Brain to the Emotional Brain, and then step aside and observe what the two sides are saying to each other.  This is an important thing… step aside from your EGO, and watch the two parts of your brain argue.  Yes, it might fatigue you, but this exercise actually gets easier with practice.

I can give you an example of my personal demon and the inner-conflict it provokes - smoking.  This is where the Logical Brain and the Emotional Brain really get it on with each other.  Smoking, for me, is the ultimate self-punishment.  Here is the sequence of events that springs forth from my daily urge to smoke:  ”I really want a smoke now.  Great, this gives me a reason to leave the house and go somewhere! (boredom).  So then I go out, and buy a single cigar, and smoke it right there outside the convenience store.  Inhale smoke, exhale.  Ahh what a rush!”  So then a few more drags, I am feeling satisfied now, I got my rush, and now wondering why I am standing around a convenience store looking like I’ve got nothing better to do, hoping that nobody I know sees me (now we’re moving into guilt territory).

Now the internal battle goes out of control.  Logical brain says, “what the fuck are you doing, you stupid asshole?  Don’t you know that smoking’s bad for you, and it sticks to your clothes and makes you stink?” and Emotional Brain is saying, “Whattya mean?  You love smoking, admit it!  We got to go for a drive, and it got you out of the house!  Cmon, bro, LOTS of people still smoke!  Just keep it under control, you’ll be alright!”

The thing is, it’s just easier to stay the same, until it becomes so uncomfortable that it’s no longer an option, and you begin to seek a higher knowledge of yourself, and you begin to OBSERVE your own behaviour.  That’s what happened to me.  Three days ago, I just simply lost interest in smoking.

In conlusion – be aware of your inner parts, and constantly observe. Over time, the rest of it takes care of itself.

Here is Eban Pagan’s video – make your own conclusions.

http://www.wakeupproductiveblog.com/2008/09/training-video.php

***The purpose of this blog is to learn how to be happy and successful***