Robotic thinking and the human condition

It’s easy for us to think that we are free thinkers, that our responses are our own choice. It’s easy to think we are in control of our thoughts, and that our thoughts are related to the present moment.

What if I told you that the majority of human thoughts were repeated patterns from the past, pre-recorded scripts, echoes of the past being repeated in auto pilot. How would you feel if you realised that your thinking might be just like a robot, pre-programmed, pre-recorded, automatic.

Having worked with many people through the Awake Patterns process very early on the automatic thought patterns which shape people’s lives become clearly visible. They are always there, every day, sometimes they are so obvious that we don’t even notice they are there, hidden in plain sight.

In the realm of cognitive psychology and cognitive-behavioral therapy, one prominent phenomenon that continually shapes our lives is the concept of automated thinking. This intricate web of thought patterns, often rooted in the past and hidden from conscious awareness, can have a profound impact on our overall well-being and the quality of our relationships.

Automated thinking, also known as automatic thoughts, refers to the ingrained mental scripts that dictate our responses to various life situations. Regardless of what’s happening in reality, these thought patterns play out like a rehearsed script, often leading us down a path disconnected from the present moment. These patterns are not anchored in the present; instead, they are preprogramed echoes from the past, haunting our thoughts and actions.

These automatic thoughts are the lines and symbols that can form grand scripts & life stories which shape our experience of how we see life.

An automatic thought is just that, automatic. It is not investigated, it is not mindfully chosen, we have zero awareness of it. It’s like calling the sun green. It is not grounded in the present moment; it has nothing to do with what is happening now. Automatic thinking is like sleepwalking through life, unaware of what is right in front of us.

One of the most unsettling aspects of automated thinking is its stealthy and unconscious nature. Often hidden beneath the surface of our consciousness, these automatic scripts silently guide our perceptions and judgments. We seldom realize that these patterns are operating in the background, colouring our interactions and shaping our emotional responses.

During the patterns process we can very quickly see that someone has been running the same story, the same script generally for most of their life. In the early stages of the process we get to see the script come to life.

To truly understand automated thinking, we must journey back to its origins. Early childhood coping mechanisms often serve as the breeding ground for these patterns. As children, we develop strategies to navigate challenging situations and protect ourselves from emotional harm. These survival tactics eventually crystallize into automated thinking patterns that persist into adulthood.

During these early years, our minds are highly impressionable and susceptible to the influences of our environment, caregivers, and societal norms. It is during this period that we develop coping mechanisms to navigate the challenges and demands of our upbringing.

Automated thinking often finds its roots in these early coping strategies.

For instance, a child raised in an environment characterized by unpredictability and insecurity may develop automatic thoughts that revolve around the need for control and safety. These thought patterns, designed to protect and adapt to challenging circumstances, persist into adulthood, even when they are no longer necessary or adaptive.

Automated thinking can wreak havoc on the quality of our relationships. Whether it’s self-judgment, snap judgments of others, or a pessimistic outlook on the world, these automated scripts colour our interactions and limit our capacity for empathy and connection. Our automatic responses often lead to misunderstandings and conflicts, pushing people away instead of bringing them closer.

Below, we explore how automated thinking impairs relationships, from self-judgment to snap judgments and a pessimistic outlook, and how it restricts our capacity for empathy and genuine connection.

1. Self-Judgment and Insecurity: Automated thinking often manifests as relentless self-criticism and self-doubt. When we constantly replay negative scripts from the past or fixate on perceived flaws and shortcomings, we inadvertently undermine our self-esteem. This self-sabotage can make it challenging to form healthy relationships, as we may believe ourselves unworthy of love and acceptance. Consequently, our insecurities may lead us to seek reassurance and validation from others, placing undue strain on the relationship.

2. Snap Judgments of Others: In the realm of interpersonal interactions, automated thinking frequently presents itself as snap judgments of those around us. These hasty assessments are often colored by our past experiences and prejudices, rather than a genuine understanding of the person in question. Such judgments can lead to misunderstandings, stereotypes, and unfounded biases, eroding the trust and mutual respect that are the cornerstones of healthy relationships.

3. A Pessimistic Outlook on the World: Automated thinking also taints our perception of the world, fostering a pessimistic lens through which we view our surroundings. When we continually replay negative scripts and anticipate worst-case scenarios, we are less likely to approach life with an open heart and an optimistic perspective. This pessimism can seep into our interactions with others, making us more critical and less receptive to the positive aspects of our relationships.

 

The wonderful thing about the Awake Patterns process is that our automated thinking patterns become clearly visible for you to see. Seen in the clear light of day there is space for us to reflect and sometimes smile with a light heart seeing the lies and half-truths we have been telling ourselves all these years. The unique Awake Patterns process helps us to get to the heart of these patterns quickly, saving time, money and emotional stress.

To summarise automated thinking is a pervasive force in our lives, influencing our perceptions, emotions, and relationships. However, by recognizing the origins of these patterns, their impact on our lives, and implementing therapeutic and mindfulness practices, we can take the first steps towards liberation. Noticing our automated patterns helps us to become the observer, and for the first time step out of the bubble.

For more information book your free call with Awake Patterns.