Have we reached a stage where the majority of mindset techniques being applied are mainly about coping?

My fear is yes, this is the case. 

Learning to cope without addressing underlying issues

I like to observe how people are influenced by certain mindset approaches. To my horror, for most of 2020, especially given the psychological impacts COVID19 has had on many people, I feel there has been too much reliance on coping strategies. Merely learning to cope, and not addressing underlying issues, can have long term implications and consequences to the individual.

Is it enough to encourage a person to just focus on breathing techniques?

In essence, encouraging people to just cope as they go through this challenging period in many people’s lives is not acceptable as a whole.

For example, to get through a challenging outlook, is it enough to encourage a person to just focus on breathing techniques? Or should we be actually examining the individual’s thoughts, actions and feelings that lead to their own perception of why they are suffering psychologically? Whether it be anxiety, stress, loneliness, depression or more.

OK, you could say, well hang on a minute, Jonathan, why aren’t you doing something about it? 

Well, I am with my private clients.

This is why I have created what I feel is a very effective technique that not only empowers individuals to maintain a safe mind. They will come to understand which doors open to habits, feelings, automatic conditioned responses, perceptions, attitude to risk and much more. Automatically guiding an individual on how to think, feel and act in any given situation.

You see, teaching someone a coping strategy is OK for bringing initial stability and calmness. But what happens when the effects wear off and the mind gets used to each technique? It’s like a virus learning to adapt to the host and learns to avoid the defence mechanisms within! So over time, the virus knows to how bypass the defence mechanism because it has learnt.

Another way of explaining, is how frequent and inappropriate use of antibiotics can cause bacteria or other microbes to resist the effects of antibiotic treatment. This is called bacterial resistance or antibiotic resistance.

Just like a coping strategy ‘copes’ with overwhelm for some; the mind will overcome this, and the effects of coping strategies just simply wear off. Ultimately leaving an individual feeling very low, despondent, and often much worse.

So how do we move away from coping strategies and techniques?

Well, we first look at bringing stability to the foundations in your mind. This is not an overnight experience for many people. However, I have had moments with clients where we have had overnight success! 

You have to understand that each person’s mind is different from the next. Their experiences are collated and intertwined and interconnected differently to the next person. It’s not just a case of one size fits all. Each person may require a different approach, so forgive me for not listing all the techniques applied. I wish to provide an overview at this stage.

Is it important to learn how you've become programmed?

Once we have stablised your mind, we then look at how you have become programmed/influenced over the years. Special care is required when helping some people during this technique! As with Pandora’s box, if you open the Pandora’s box of the mind, without preparing the mind, it can have dangerous ramifications/consequences. So special care is needed in some circumstances.

We then need to spend time analysing and understanding how each door to a memory (where appropriate at each stage of the process) can be intertwined/linked to any aspects of your mind, body and spirit. Sometimes, we don’t open certain doors until the client is ready. In other circumstances, the mind won’t allow the client to recognize a memory until certain aspects of the mind has been resolved and put to rest as they say.

Once we understand the network of intertwined thoughts, actions and feelings, we then begin the process of understanding how to close each door. 

However, it is important to understand as each door closes, another door opens. The old saying “as each door closes, a new door opens” But what new door are we opening? This brings more varied techniques into the equation!

So, we have to plan; visualise, have a strategy and much more when we go through this process. In essence, we empower your mind with a sense of purpose, clarity and ability to be adaptable with the unknown.

Are you aware of how your thoughts, actions and feelings are intertwined?

Once a client has progressed through the “Spiders Web” of intertwined thoughts, actions and feelings, we then move onto working in the outside world (take a look at this personal account in Jenny’s Journey Part 9.

Where appropriate when I work with clients outside, it is not uncommon for other forgotten thoughts, actions and feelings to arise, and it’s not uncommon to work with emotional release. Identifying and the release of limiting beliefs and much more; including empowerment from within, the countryside is a great environment in which to work with clients.

Why understanding the medical history of a client is so important.

When working with clients who have a history with medical intervention, whether pharmaceutical or herbal, we learn how the mind, body and spirit have become dependent on this type of supplementary support.

For some, the epicenter of their mind becomes reliant on the supplements/medication. We have to create a plan and exercise the mind, body and spirit to be empowered to have an exit plan away from the supplements/medication. 

Whilst a client undergoes the exit strategy away from medication and herbal pick-me-ups, we work closely with the client’s GP. Train the mind, body and spirit on how to reignite its true capabilities and natural ability to generate and circulate examples such as dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins and much more. All of which influence an individuals’ ability to develop a healthy mind, body and spirit. 

We also must consider the impacts of a client’s diet. This may mean referring a client to a nutritional specialist if appropriate.

Are you committed to the long haul?

For me, if a client is willing to commit to the long haul, then whether it’s 1, 2, 5, 10 sessions or more, or even intensive half or full day sessions, completing the appropriate homework/practices is essential (and much more with me), one thing is for sure, successful outcomes will materialise.

It is just whether you are willing to commit.

Wishing everyone safety and wellness through the 2nd lockdown phase.

Warmest wishes

Walking With My Bear

(If you want to know more, why not reach out to us and we'll get back in touch).