Cognitive Dissonance
Psychology today states cognitive dissonance is a term for discomfort felt when two or more modes of thought contradict each other. The clashing cognitions may include ideas, beliefs, or the knowledge that one has behaved in a certain way.
When we are working with two things that seem opposed we have to again look at perspective. Ask first what is effective for me in this moment?
Is it to be zeroed in on the object up close, or is it more effective to have a wide attention?
Psychologist April Siebert says our personal identity is something we will protect more than anything. Our mind will fight to maintain beliefs because it feels like a personal attack if we let it go.
I like to see things clearly. I like to know the right answer. I like to think things are black and white at times. But they aren’t. Sometimes there are many shades of gray. I’ve struggled many times with my own form of cognitive dissonance in life, but I find if I use my yoga therapy tools I can reframe the mind and move forward from feeling stuck on a particular belief.
Practice makes permanent; the more practice the better you get. This takes time.
Think about your muscles. If you don’t work out, you won’t have strong muscles. This goes for our mind just as much as for our muscles. If you don’t use your tools to affect your mind/beliefs/pain, your mind will never have an opportunity to strengthen.
Learn more about pain management with Yoga Therapy by visiting our private therapy page and set up a free 15 minute phone consult!
