World Maps II

These maps or beliefs are the rules of our behaviour.  They are necessary.  Without them, we would spend endless energy gathering and analysing information, never knowing when we had enough information to make an informed decision.  This ability is a large part of what constitutes human intelligence - integrating past experience as a future template for action.  It can also be our downfall, particularly when negative beliefs about ourself and/or the world are formed during a painful and overwhelming experience.  The felt sense of beliefs is one of truth throughout our entire being, leading us to choose our responses and behaviours through these rules.  Research has shown that we reject information that challenges our beliefs, acknowledging only that information which confirms them.  Thus, negative beliefs resulting from painful situations ensure a repeating pattern of unfulfilling experiences:  emotionally, physically, and in relationships.  So, how do we overcome these self-defeating beliefs?  The common advice of  "pulling  ourselves up by the bootstraps and getting on with it" leaves us feeling worse as, no matter how often we try, we find ourselves failing again and again. Using positive statements to replace negative thoughts alone helps for awhile but requires continuous monitoring - and exhausting exercise at best.  It is only when we engage the body-mind connection that we can begin to create and integrate new and life affirming maps of our world.