Self-efficacy - directing life positively

How do I concretely steer my life in a positive direction?

Prerequisite for self-efficacy: control of the body and drives

By consciously and willingly taking over the reigns of their thoughts and actions, human beings achieve self-efficacy, i.e. kingship in their own lives.

The path to self-efficacy: integrating the shadows (the body and the unconscious)

In order to achieve self-efficacy in life, a person must have positive access to their body and be able to understand and direct their drives and instincts. These are initially in the shadows, i.e. outside of the person's consciousness. What is in the shadow is tainted with negativity, because it was not allowed to be in the light of life until now, but was repressed and denied.

The path into the shadows therefore requires courage, above all the courage to face the truth about oneself (see The Integration of the Shadow - the Path through the Underworld).

Obstacles to self-efficacy - Where is the battlefront?

Humans are challenged on many fronts in their lives. Particularly insidious, however, are those that hide in the shadows because they are repressed. For these can ambush him and block his positive progress.

1. body knowledge

The body has its own "knowledge" which is not accessible to the mind as long as there is no conscious memory of it. This body knowledge expresses itself through involuntary bodily feelings and reactions that occur "out of nowhere", so to speak. By perceiving them and dealing with their cause, the human being brings them to consciousness and thus to the light of his life. Now he can begin to control them and thus expand the dominion in his life, occupy new land.

Body knowledge is rooted in bodily imprints, i.e. genetic predispositions, inherited and adopted behaviour patterns and early childhood experiences.

Genetic predispositions

Genes largely control human behaviour. However, recent science has shown that genes can be switched on and off (epigenetics, see Wikipedia article, e.g. under 6. Epigenetic changes in the life course). This means that even if genetic predispositions are present, they do not necessarily have to take effect in a person's life.

Inherited behaviour patterns

Unconsciously adopted attitudes and behaviour patterns from parents or people in responsibility can also shape one's life. Especially if the associated backgrounds have never been the subject of discussion, they even have a stronger effect from the shadows. Their power often lies behind a "taboo", something that "one" does not talk about.

Early childhood experiences

Traumatic experiences that happened in early childhood can linger in the body and cause spontaneous reactions even though the person has no memories of them.

Collective traumatisation and patterns in traditions

Whole collectives can also be in the grip of unconscious emotional states and behavioural patterns from traumatisation. The traditions speak of a collective traumatisation of humanity (see Dark Secrets Secrets as a Curse; The Great Feminine in the Underworld; Introduction to the Gilgamesh Epic and The Expulsion from Paradise as a Collective Drama).

2. negativity and the ego

The power of negativity

Humans are exposed to many negative influences. Media reports are full of negativity and in existence as such there is much struggle and suffering. Negativity is a powerful source of energy. Fear, pressure and the desire to overcome a deficit drive the human being.

The absurd thing is that people are addicted to negativity. Newspaper circulations fall when they no longer publish negative reports and the entertainment industry also suffers losses. Behind this is the ego, the identity of separation and negativity.

The ego: blockages of self-efficacy through negative incitements

The ego works through fear, accusation and negative appeals. It quietly whispers "beliefs" that contain lies, devaluation, self-pity, defiance, anger or revenge. The person does not even perceive them if he does not listen carefully to himself. Moreover, they would rather repress them. Negative inner statements and self-images can be:

• The world is dangerous, I MUST fight back.
• I am a poor victim, I come up short.
• I am all alone here. No one helps ME. No one loves ME. I have to look after myself.
• You are worth nothing. Nobody loves you. You are nothing and can do nothing.
• You are a poor creature! Yes, feel the pain, feel the despair...!
• You deserved better.
• The others are sneaky and mean and want to get at you.
• They will all have to pay one day for what they have done to you ... I will finish them off. I will show them what is what.

Negativity "upsets" the whole system, paralyses the person 's ability to act and ties up resources (see The Third Eye and the King's Treasure). He is then figuratively speaking like a rabbit that is hypnotised by a snake and cannot move until it is eaten.

Constructive methods towards self-efficacy

Training!

It may take a strong will, patience, trust and a lot of work to gain control over the body and the urges and to establish a good connection. Mental strength needs to be trained, just as muscles are trained.
There are various ways and possibilities that can be helpful to strengthen the dominance of consciousness and thus promote the experience of self-efficacy:

Awareness raising, externalisation and rituals

Problematic emotions and reactions are always an opportunity for awareness and expansion of one's own resources! Often people have to be woken up by pain or difficult situations in the first place before they are ready to ask the question: "What is actually going on (with me)?".

He can pursue this in different ways, through self-study or by talking to a trusted person. Objectifying visualisations can also lead further (for example, through a representation using figures or coins: Externalisation). When it comes to resolving what has been recognised, ritual actions are sometimes helpful. (Simple example: I write on a piece of paper what I want to get rid of and then burn this piece of paper or bury it).

Consistent reflection and new impulses

It is demanding and exhausting to monitor and control thoughts and impulses. But it is important to expose negative drivers and replace them with positive goals. In this way, life and the state of mind are steered in a constructive direction (see How do I design positive instructions for the body?).

Meditation

Meditation calms the whole system and strengthens and supremacy of consciousness. The brain is less flooded with information (and can stay "with itself"). From a medical-anatomical point of view, meditation leads to increased activity in the frontal cortex and the cingulate cortex (networking, empathy). On the other hand, the activity of the amygdala (fear) is inhibited (see Consciousness and the Human Brain).

Thus, on the whole, cognitive flexibility is increased and the control of feelings and impulsive behaviour is improved.

Prayer

Prayer takes the person into the now by entering into a trusting relationship with a higher, good authority. Asking for help or for a solution is in itself a solution-oriented approach. Thus, the consciousness does not stop at the deplorable perception, but already moves in the direction of better possibilities. Difficulties are let go and instead hope and trust gain space that improvement is possible. Last but not least, through the positive view (vision/visualisation), one's own limits can be broken down.

Exercise and sport

Sporting activity draws attention away from circling thoughts to the body and its functions and thus to what IS. This in itself is positive and life-affirming. In addition, the limbic system is busy coordinating movements and has less energy for emotions and fantasies.
The left-right movement (when walking or jogging) also links the left and right hemispheres of the brain and thus thinking and feeling, which can also lead to new, positive approaches and solutions.

Reconditioning or reprogramming of the brain

The brain has to be partially restructured and reconditioned. This requires constant practice. When new positive experiences are had, reward hormones are released, which in turn set positive markers.

Of motorways and country roads - the neural pathways in the brain

In the brain there are networks, "pathways" that are frequently used (like the motorways in road traffic) and there are neural pathways that are hardly used (like bumpy country roads). If one wants to divert the "thought traffic", measures and time are needed. Old connections have to be closed and new ones built. Attention: The old motorway will not be demolished until the new one is built!

In other words, you have to invest a lot of persistent work and persevere until the new connection works well (it can take up to two years, depending on the effort). This requires constant monitoring of impulses, thoughts and behaviour, and possibly good redirection.

Top down or bottom up?

To bring about lasting change, both paths are open:

"Top down" - from consciousness into the body

This path means that first awareness is raised, which leads to changed behaviour. The new behaviour leads to positive experiences, which reinforce this path in the brain. Spiritually, this is the path (of the realisation of love and) of grace, which leads to changed behaviour.

"Bottom up" - from body behaviour to insight

The right behaviour leads to positive experiences and thus to positive feedback. This approach means simply doing "it" (namely, "obeying", for example, doing sports because it is healthy) and experiencing how it becomes easier and easier. Children are educated "bottom up". Through commandments and prohibitions, the right way is "implanted" in them before they can understand it themselves. In spiritual terms, this corresponds to the "way of law or works", through which the loving and trusting obedience of the "children of faith" is blessed.

We continue with:

How do I design positive instructions for the body? 

Further texts:

Kingship in Life
The Self - the Identity of Love
TheShadow
TheIntegration of the Shadow - the Path through the Underworld
The Great Feminine in the Underworld
Dark Secrets as a Curse
TheThird Eye and the King's Treasure
TheEgo
TheConsciousness and the Human Brain)

Mentioned traditions:

Introduction to the Gilgamesh Epic
The expulsion from paradise as a collective drama