Repeating Behaviors

We repeat the same behavior again and again as we constantly respond to the same triggers and react out of the habit of what’s known; this is done without even realizing it…

Why is it so difficult to awaken? There are many reasons for this, the one that sticks out the most is how the Conditioned Mind holds onto and repeats known behavior, even if it causes extreme suffering. When I was twenty five my oldest brother passed away from an addiction related incident. This forced my parents to make me look at my alcohol and drug use. His death opened my eyes somewhat, but even though my life was a mess, it didn’t mean I was willing to go into unknown territory without my pacifiers to cope with life. This behavior was repeated again and again even though I knew alcohol and drugs were the cause of all my problems. It took another two years before a decision was made that I had enough. Even though I was going into unknown territory, I figured it had to be better than the way I was living.

The reason it took two years was because although I was suffering, my conditioning repeatedly led me to believe facing the unknown was scary and the known was the way to go; the lies of the Conditioned Mind run deep. This is why we repeat the same behavior, and it’s also why we constantly react to the same triggers; we react out of habit without even realizing it. The conditioning in place dictates what is repeated, and it’s obeyed without question. Here’s the real irony in all of this, people actually believe they have free will and a choice. The only thing one can do is submit to what’s known because that’s what’s in place. Once there’s awareness of this, succumbing to the repeated behaviors can be stopped, and the choice to live life freely becomes a possibility along with the free will not to give in to the repeated behaviors of the Conditioned Mind…