A paradigm, as defined in the dictionary, “is a distinct concept or thought pattern,” so it is no wonder efforts to effect change in one’s life can often amount to “moving the deck chairs around on the Titanic.” In other words, change, however sincere, can only amount to temporary adjustment if it is within the same self-perception paradigm.
I am often asked in hypnotherapy sessions that have shifted one’s paradigm, how to apply the empowered thought to the same challenges besetting one from the former paradigm. I knowingly smile when this question is posed because it assumes the new paradigm is academic and not pragmatic (as well as an unconscious attachment to one’s struggles). This assumption stems from past change efforts that were unknowingly engaged from the same static paradigm and therefore chronic limitations were, at best, temporarily abated. I then reassure the client they can begin to release the expectancy of the same challenges continuing because the shifted paradigm excludes the pattern of thought perceptions that sustained the chronic restriction of the former paradigm.
This brings us to the means of shifting the paradigm of restriction. Reactions are wired rather than real. Let me repeat that, “reactions are wired rather than real!” That statement, truly appreciated, is a game-changer in shifting the paradigm of your experience from constriction to greater ease and grace.
The reason financial, health, relationship, and, or career situations remain static is because you are having the same wired reaction repeatedly to the stimuli (triggers) of your experience. If the “wired reaction” to bills is to ignore, become anxious, or lament having to pay them (or a myriad of other fearful reactions), this “auto-pilot” of reactions facilitates what auto-pilot does: maintain the course – and in this case – of chronic limitation. When the auto-pilot to relationship dilemma is “on” (wired reaction occurring) then auto-pilot, again, dutifully does its job and “stays the course” of the limited trajectory. When wired perceptions of your self-worth are on auto-pilot, well … you get it by now, right?
Wired reactions create the impression of absoluteness regarding the thing being reacted to, fostering a sense of permanency regarding certain conditions. This is why genuine change appears elusive; we assume change is difficult because we are always attempting it within the same static paradigm!
Coming off auto-pilot in your reactions to yourself and your experience is the first step to shifting the paradigm of your reality. How is this done? Glad you asked! First, you challenge the reactions that are habitually triggered when unsatisfactory appearances are witnessed. Here is a personal example of this: I recently received a parking ticket that, nowadays in Los Angeles, approaches $100 dollars – the wired (sometimes called typical) mental reaction was a self-judging, “I do not need any avoidable expenses.” This thought, left unabated, could then trigger thoughts of anger and resentment towards self, the City of Los Angeles, etc. I challenged the wired thought with, “This only happens on occasion and I will chalk it up to the cost of doing business.” I then mentally added to that thought that, “I will expand my perception (expectancy) of greater abundant flow so this occurrence has little impact beyond a reminder to be more mindful.” What a difference a challenged thought can make! It shifted the entire narrative of the experience to accommodating greater abundant flow rather than cursing the experience and reinforcing a restrictive paradigm.
To be clear, challenging a thought is not the same as battling chronic thoughts. To challenge a thought means you understand that this is merely a “wired” reaction – and nothing more (even though the consequences of many wired thoughts can have devastating impact, it is still, nonetheless, merely a wired thought sustaining the limitation). On the other hand, if you find yourself battling chronic thoughts it is an indication that you still believe the wired thoughts and do not view them as just wired programming. The validating belief in your limitation is what sustains the limitation; limiting conditions have no inherent permanency. Our moment-by-moment, recurring wired-thoughts is what sustains conditions and gives the illusion of permanency or difficulty.
Your success in dispatching limiting, wired thoughts from your consciousness is equal to the degree you view them as mental wiring to be re-wired, so to speak, rather than as an indictment on yourself or your possibilities. You are more than what has happened to you. In truth, you are the means of life’s natural tendency to fulfill Itself. This vantage-point shifts the paradigm of your self-perception so that well-meaning efforts maximize their benefit as they are engaged within a paradigm conducive to your well-being.
Cease rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic (attempting change within same paradigm) and recognize that you have the authority and power to challenge any wired thought pattern thereby shifting the paradigm of perception to accommodate the well-being that is your birthright.
You are more than what has happened to you.
