October 07th, 2020

How to Achieve Lasting Spiritual Change
(Your Physiology & The Law of Attraction)

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You may believe that because you've had an epiphany, regarding a new way of being, that everything instantaneously changes in that moment. However, when the new way of feeling and thinking doesn't immediately continue, it is common for you to start to judge yourself for doing something wrong, being hopeless, or that you're never going to change. There is a certain amount of patience that is required in regard to your physicality, as typically, not all parts of your being adapt at the same rate. You are going to have to literally rewire your brain (actually work with the neurons and synapses) by consistently redirecting your thoughts.

The body and brain are designed for efficiency. If you want to train your body to sit on the couch, then by practising that, your body will get to the point where it does not have to burn a calorie more than it needs to, to do just that. Conversely, if you want to train your body to run marathons, then by practising that, your body will not burn a calorie more than it has to do. It is the same thing with your brain. If you train it to think negatively, then the synapses of the neurons of the parts of the brain where those thoughts reside will grow closer together making it even easier/ more efficient to think that way. The same thing happens if you practice thinking positively.

Your brain is composed of neurons, which have a number of component parts, including the synapse. The gap between neurons is called a synaptic cleft. When you have a thought, one synapse shoots a chemical across the cleft to another synapse. It's essentially akin to building a bridge, over which an electric signal can cross, carrying along its charge, the relevant information you are thinking about. Every time this electrical charge is triggered, the physical gap between neurons (the synaptic cleft) remains roughly the same size, however, the strength and speed of the connection increase significantly, making the habit feel automatic. This is referred to as Hebb’s Law where 'neurons that fire together wire together.' This means that the synapses you've most strongly bonded together by the frequency of certain thoughts come to represent your default go to pattern of thinking or attitude.

Your brain and body will always become conditioned to whatever you are training it to do through whatever you are practising. They are both highly adaptable. If you have been practising sitting on the couch and decides that you want to run a 10 km run, then the change in the body to be able to do that, doesn't happen overnight. You've got to undergo a training/practice period for the body to adapt. It is the same thing with your brain’s thoughts and attitudes. If you want something different, then you've got to train differently. You've got to apply similar training principles to your brain physiology, just as you would to your physical being. No one else can make you run faster and no one else can make you love you. You can get the best coaching advice, training partners, or other enhancements, however, unless you do it/ practice it, then none of that matters.
 
With the brain it initially takes constant refocussing to change the accustomed pattern of thinking that has been practised. It is just the same as it initially takes to change the pattern of wanting to continue to sit on the couch rather than doing a workout. It is common for you to become frustrated with your self for not thinking more positively because you assume that because you had your 'aha moment' that everything will automatically change. Your inner core essence has inspired you to get there. Emotionally it feels good to think the new positive thought, however, changing your mental focus in order for your physical being to adapt, takes time.

Through practice, if the brain has adapted to more easily think negatively, then even when good things happen, the go to thoughts are: ‘This won’t last, so enjoy it while you can;’ ‘What’s the catch?;’ ‘It’s still not good enough;’ ‘Too little, too late;’ or something along those lines. Conversely, if the adaptation is to more easily think positively, then even when ‘bad’ things happen, the go to thoughts are along the lines of: ‘Things always work out for me;’ ‘There’s always a solution;’ ‘I know help is on the way;’ or similar types of positive expectation thoughts. This all happens so quickly, that you are not even conscious that this is occurring. Eventually, it is perceived as just the way you are.
 
You are familiar with the analogy of, are you a cup half full, or cup half empty thinker? If you are not liking the outcome of your negative focussed thinking and attitude, then it initially takes conscious effort to consistently refocus onto better feeling, or more positive, thoughts. Your brain automatically wants to go down the well-worn highway of those thoughts that have become more strongly intertwined. The practice of refocussing onto a more positive perspective allows for the connections of different neurons to functionally begin to strengthen in order for a new highway of thought to be developed.
 
Eventually the adaptations occur, where the negative thought synaptic clefts may be pruned and positive thoughts ones grow functionally ‘closer together.’ You have changed your way of thinking, expecting, viewing and experiencing the world. The typically recommended time frame for this type of change to occur is 21 days. It does take a conscious commitment to follow through with practice, as well as, self love and compassion.