Changeable Podcast
EP257: Guidance versus conditioning, trauma and habits, and practices versus intuition: Questions from a listener.
Mon Jun 26 2023Description
This episode explores the topics of guidance versus conditioning, trauma and habits, practices versus intuition. Dr. Amy Johnson emphasizes the importance of listening to our own common sense and not relying solely on what others say. She encourages curiosity about why we believe there is a right or better thing to listen to. The episode also discusses the concept of leaning into whatever shows up in life without judgment or rules, and how past trauma affects our sense of safety. It delves into the idea of relaxing, feeling, and neuroplasticity in the brain, as well as the importance of using both the brain and the heart in finding understanding and openness. The episode concludes by discussing the limitations of intellectual understanding and the importance of trusting our own knowing and overcoming fear.
Insights
Listen to your own common sense
Dr. Amy Johnson emphasizes the importance of listening to our own common sense and not relying solely on what others say.
Lean into whatever shows up in life
The episode encourages leaning into whatever shows up in life without judgment or rules, and meeting it with curiosity and welcoming.
Past trauma affects our sense of safety
The episode discusses how past trauma can affect our sense of safety and lead to clinging to unhelpful habits.
Relaxing and feeling can encourage neuroplasticity
Relaxing and feeling can encourage neuroplasticity in the brain, leading to changes in both the brain and the heart.
Using both the brain and the heart can be helpful
Using both the brain and the heart can be helpful in finding understanding and openness.
Trust your own knowing
The episode emphasizes the importance of trusting your own knowing and questioning beliefs that life is unsafe or wisdom is untrustworthy.
Fear barrier is normal
The episode acknowledges that fear barriers are normal but can be explored to discover one's own safety.
Linear thought can be limiting
Linear thought can be limiting, and it's important to feel into what makes sense rather than relying solely on thinking.
Excellent questions point back to what you're asking about
The episode highlights that excellent questions can point back to what one is asking about, leading to insights and understanding.
Trust your inner wisdom
We are always guided by our inner wisdom, but sometimes external information or advice can be helpful.
Chapters
- Guidance versus Conditioning, Trauma and Habits, Practices versus Intuition
- Lean into Whatever Shows Up in Life
- Relaxing, Feeling, and Neuroplasticity
- Thinking, Listening, and Trusting Ourselves
- Trusting Your Own Knowing and Overcoming Fear
Guidance versus Conditioning, Trauma and Habits, Practices versus Intuition
00:00 - 07:17
- This episode is a listener question about guidance versus conditioning, trauma and habits, and practices versus intuition.
- The listener asks how to know which voice to listen to when the feeling says to binge or over-exercise.
- Dr. Amy Johnson emphasizes the importance of listening to our own common sense and not relying solely on what others say.
- She encourages curiosity about why we believe there is a right or better thing to listen to.
- Dr. Johnson suggests that it's simpler than our minds make it out to be and that we should do what makes most sense in the moment.
- She acknowledges that sometimes engaging in our habits may make sense, but emphasizes being open and leaning into life as it shows up.
Lean into Whatever Shows Up in Life
06:56 - 14:50
- Lean into whatever shows up in life, without judgment or rules
- Listening to your heart means moving away from conditioned thoughts and habits
- Focus on meeting what's showing up with curiosity and welcoming
- Past trauma affects our sense of safety and can lead to clinging to unhelpful habits
- Trauma responses show up in the present moment, so focus on being with what's here now
- Be compassionate and loving towards yourself as you navigate feelings of safety and freedom
- Glimpses of freedom are evidence that your system is relaxing and changing
- Treat yourself with compassion, patience, and observe the moments of clamming up
- Lean into all emotions and sensations, knowing that fundamentally you are safe
Relaxing, Feeling, and Neuroplasticity
14:28 - 21:47
- Lean into your feelings and observe them without fear
- Fear barriers are common but can be overcome by pushing past them
- Relaxing and feeling can encourage neuroplasticity in the brain
- Neuroplasticity is about seeing old patterns for what they are and having insights about them
- Changes occur in the heart, not just the brain
- Using the heart instead of the head requires leaning into common sense and welcoming what arises
- There is no formula or checklist for using the heart, but you know what it means to live from that place
- Our head often tries too hard to figure things out, causing confusion
- We won't think our way to a place beyond thought; we need to feel our way there
- Using both the brain and the heart can be helpful in finding understanding and openness
Thinking, Listening, and Trusting Ourselves
21:33 - 28:57
- Brain and heart are metaphors for a more thought-centered versus feeling-centered way of being.
- At some point, thinking and listening only go so far; we need to examine things for ourselves.
- Intellectual understanding is limited in its utility; it's good upfront but needs to be followed by personal exploration and experimentation.
- There's no rule or formula for when to trust ourselves or seek help; it depends on what makes sense in each situation.
- We are always guided by our inner wisdom, but sometimes we need external information or advice.
- Support, practices, and advice can be helpful as long as we remember that we have the answers within us.
- Life is not about choosing between this or that; it's about being open and following what feels right in each moment.
Trusting Your Own Knowing and Overcoming Fear
28:31 - 31:20
- When your mind settles down, you will see some things to do.
- Life may look unsafe and wisdom untrustworthy, but question that.
- Start looking within and trust your own knowing.
- Let go of the head and go more toward the heart.
- There is no right or wrong answer; you are already safe.
- Meet what's arising with curiosity and welcome it all.
- Fear barrier is normal, explore it to discover your safety.
- Linear thought can be limiting, feel into what makes sense.
- Excellent questions point back to what you're asking about.