( note: a reader suggested that I include a brief reminder of the definition
of Cognitive Dissonance with each essay for our memory impaired readers.)
Psychologists use the term "cognitive dissonance" to describe the bothered
state of disagreement, sometimes pained state of mind that occurs when new
evidence contradicts a current belief or outlook. When such dissonance occurs,
either discarding the belief or discarding the new evidence must occur to
resolve the conflict.
The Commander -by
John Pistorius
How do we choose between our current beliefs, opinions or judgments and new
evidence? How can we know with certainty that the new evidence is accurate?
Truly, there are times when, as in the weather forecast example that I used in
the Nov. 4, message, the evidence clearly proves which idea is accurate
without much difficulty. When the new evidence is plainly accurate, our belief
is incorrect, inaccurate, false or mistaken. However, we are oftentimes
fighting unseen devils of conditioned thoughts and prejudices which are not
easily unmasked and revealed.
How do we deal with this dilemma? I propose to help the readers of this
message to ask the questions of themselves which can help unlock the answers
which can enrich understanding of the solution.
The first question I have asked myself is this:
"Whose mind is it that is experiencing disharmony?"
After establishing the fact that it is my mind, I can accept ownership of
the thoughts, beliefs, ideas and judgments that I hold dear. When our mind is
troubled by the challenge of our current belief or outlook on anything, we
need to ask ourselves, "Which position or belief is accurate or correct,
indeed, what is the truth of the matter?" This simple questioning stimulates
our mind to search for the answer. When visible information undermines our
opinion or belief, we need to ‘‘solve’’ the problem.
We face a very real threat to our personal sense of security by disharmony
in our thinking. Therefore, our mind must deal with the threat to satisfy our
own need for peace in thought. That is an objective reality. It requires
objective thinking in real terms. We must be careful to not fall into the trap
of subjective thinking. It can kill any chance we might have for true
resolution.
I believe it is unfortunate that our society has become entrenched in
subjective reasoning. Truth has been reduced to a point where people believe
that they hold the key to it. In the popular opinion, truth has become
subjective, as if by believing something makes it true. The mantra seems to
be, If it is true for me, it is true. Our prisons, hospitals and cemeteries
are full of people who have flung themselves down this path of reasoning.
Standing at the intersection of two streets waiting to cross, I must wait
to cross until traffic stops flowing. Every sane person alive knows this. I
can choose to believe differently. I can even be taught to believe
differently. For me, in my mind, the truth might be that no harm would or
could come to me if I step in front of moving traffic. Nevertheless, the
moment that I step in front of the very real moving machines that weigh
thousands of pounds, I cannot change the laws of nature, they still apply. The
vehicles have an objective amount of stopping distance. They are also composed
of tangible mass which will not simply dissolve upon impact with my body. I am
human. My body is destructible. In the end, no amount of belief contrary to
the objective reality will keep me from being hit and undoubtedly crushed by
the automobiles if I choose to step in front of them. Unfortunately for the
person who subjectively believes that the moving machines would have no effect
upon them, the moment of objective impact would be one of cognitive dissonance
from which they might not recover. It could be a fatal belief or opinion.
We are continually facing objective reality in our lives. Evidence that
gives us grounds for believing the existence or presence of something contrary
to our accepted position can be subjectively or objectively refuted or
substantiated. However, as in the example of the moving vehicular traffic,
objective truth cannot be refuted. We move from moment to moment choosing
every step of the way. We have the power to analyze our choices, yet, the
process is usually automatic. We just ‘‘do it.’’
That leads me to pose another question, "Who is in control of my
mind?"
Is it my deliberate application of knowledge or is it conditioning?
Sometimes we are unwilling to see or believe that we are in error. Or we
might consciously choose to continue in our erroneous path of beliefs,
judgments and thoughts, even though we are aware of our error. Oftentimes, we
cannot see that we will suffer consequences for our choices. If our mental
acceptance of the truth of something gives it a form of ‘‘absoluteness’’ to
us, how can we choose to change or alter our belief? If we are absolutely
certain in the trustworthiness of an idea, thought or concept, how can we
break the barrier created by our trust in it? Our opinion can stand in the way
of accepting the new information.
Taking command of our mind and thoughts will put us in our rightful place
as the ‘‘director’’
of our thought life.
Understanding that we are influenced by our opinions can be a step to
overcoming the barriers that they present to our ability to change our
beliefs. Because we have ‘‘bought’’ the opinion or belief, we are in control
of accepting a replacement. This is also an objective truth. We are
responsible for our opinions, attitudes and beliefs. Even though many of them
were formed through years of conditioning, we can change our position in
relationship to them by taking command over them. I can personally attest to
the reality of this.
Commanding is a multifaceted approach to bid, order, direct and require
obedience. If the mind you are hoping to influence belongs to you, then that
gives you the absolute authority to demand compliance with your directives.
Once a person accepts the ownership of their thoughts, they can begin the
process of dismantling the falsehoods in their mind and replace them with
truth. With our acceptance of ownership and responsibility comes the power to
govern oneself and exercise supreme authority over thoughts and opinions. I
know this to be true through my own personal experiences.
We have been taught and conditioned to believe that others are in control
over us. By placing responsibility on others, we reduce our effectiveness in
conquering the limits and barriers to our full, satisfying experience of life.
We have supreme authority over our thoughts, we only need to exercise it. To
anyone reading these words who believe differently, I have just caused a state
of disharmony in your mind. You may continue reading or throw this down.
Discarding this information does not change the objective reality.
If it is your mind, you have the power and authority to command it
with dignity and humanity.
When an individual takes command of her life, she begins to realize the
harmony that exists in thought to real life experiences. When she accepts her
governing influence, she can use it to achieve the satisfying state of
pleasing agreement in her life. In the end, this process eliminates the pained
state of disagreement of cognitive dissonance.
Next- Part III, Soldiers and Gardens
|
"A man must not deny his
manifest abilities, for that is to evade his obligations."
-William
Feather |
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