Negative Association

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Negative Association.

A brain is a complex machine that is also simple. The brain creates negative associations to streamline reaction to action. For example, if someone is deathly afraid of snakes and they go into an area known for having snakes, they will jump if they see a stick that looks like a snake. These associations are subconscious which makes them difficult to change and or alter.

Some of the associations are beneficial, however, some of them can harm us in today's world. These associations are a powerful tool which can empower us to get over an addiction or they can do the opposite and prevent us from doing something good such as social interaction. Another example of an association, if a daughter was in a family with an abusive alcoholic father, the sound of the breaking beer bottles would mean she is about to get beat. The sound of the beer bottles meant her father was angry and she was his prime target. Even after long moving out, she would have a panic attack when hearing the sound of glass break. This is clearly not ideal because this can happen anywhere if out in public and a friendly lady drops a glass could cause her to panic intensely. How could she get rid of this?

This can be done through a conscious act with something powerful and easily recallable from memories. For example, if this girl was really into Disney movies she could change the meaning of the breaking glass into Snow White being freed from her resting box where she was being saved. Quite simply, changed from a negative to a positive. You may have to break some glass in front of yourself and think of this the instant the glass breaks. You might have to visualize erasing the thought with an imaginary eraser in the mind. Meditation will help with this to an extreme level as you can clear your mind and sort between your thoughts with far more efficiency. This could take several attempts. However, if persistent it will remove it from the subconscious negative association. This same process could create positive ones to drive you to success and a new life.

Where does this fit in with your life? It can be hard to find associations in your life. For example, one could be the lack of motivation to get up and finish and project or a homework assignment. You have a negative association that the project may be long tedious or any other feeling of emotion. You can simply change the association to look forward to doing such work in order to improve it. Chances are, the people around you have planted the negative association into your mind. As long as you can feel the resistance or reaction to a specific trigger, you can play with the trigger and overwhelm it with a positive reaction instead. Thus, changing the association and improving your life.