Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself

Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself Plot Summary

Introduction

Have you ever felt trapped in patterns of thinking and behavior that seem impossible to break? You're not alone. Many of us live our lives on autopilot, responding to our environment with the same thoughts, emotions, and actions day after day. We become so accustomed to being ourselves that we don't realize we have the power to change. The truth is, your thoughts have consequences so great that they create your reality. The greatest habit you can ever break is the habit of being yourself. This book reveals the science behind how our thoughts shape our brains, our bodies, and ultimately our lives. By understanding the relationship between mind and matter, you'll discover how to overcome the environmental conditions, emotional addictions, and habitual thought patterns that keep you anchored to your past. You'll learn to harness the power of your conscious and subconscious mind to literally rewire your brain, change your body, and create a new destiny.

Chapter 1: Master the Science of Personal Change

At the core of personal transformation lies a profound understanding: your subjective mind has a measurable effect on your objective world. Quantum physics shows us that consciousness directly influences matter at the subatomic level. When you observe electrons, they behave differently than when unobserved. This fundamental principle extends to your everyday life—your thoughts and feelings are not merely passive reactions but active forces that shape your reality. Imagine Sarah, a marketing executive who had spent years feeling inadequate despite her accomplishments. Every morning, she would wake up with a sense of dread, mentally rehearsing all the ways she might fail during the day. Her brain had become hardwired for negativity, and her body had become chemically addicted to stress hormones. This neurochemical state influenced her decisions, relationships, and even her physical health. During a particularly difficult project, Sarah learned about neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Fascinated, she began a daily practice of conscious awareness, noticing when her thoughts slipped into familiar negative patterns. Each time she caught herself, she would pause, take a deep breath, and deliberately choose a different thought. The process wasn't easy. Her body, accustomed to certain emotional chemicals, initially rebelled against the change. But Sarah persisted, understanding that to create a new future, she needed to think in ways that her environment, past experiences, and emotional habits didn't dictate. She began mentally rehearsing successful outcomes and feeling the positive emotions associated with them before they happened. Within weeks, colleagues noticed a difference in Sarah's demeanor and performance. She approached challenges with creativity rather than fear, and opportunities began to appear that she would have previously missed or avoided. Her brain had physically changed—forming new neural pathways that supported her new way of being. This transformation illustrates the science of personal change: by consciously directing your thoughts and emotions, you can change your brain's physical structure, alter gene expression in your body, and ultimately create a different experience of reality. The key is to become greater than your environment, overcome emotional addictions, and live in a new state of being before your desired future manifests.

Chapter 2: Break Free from Environmental Conditioning

Your environment shapes you more than you might realize. From the moment you wake up, external stimuli bombard your senses, triggering automatic neural networks that produce familiar thoughts and emotions. These environmental cues—from the people you interact with to the places you visit—constantly remind you to be the same person you were yesterday. Consider Michael, a talented musician who dreamed of performing his original compositions but worked at a corporate job he disliked. Every day, his surroundings—the office building, his colleagues' conversations about job security, even his commute—reinforced his identity as a cautious, practical person who couldn't risk pursuing his passion. His brain had become hardwired to respond to his environment in predictable ways. One weekend, Michael attended a workshop where he learned how environmental cues trigger automatic responses in the brain. He realized that to change, he needed to temporarily disconnect from the familiar stimuli that kept him thinking, feeling, and acting the same way. He decided to take a two-week vacation alone in a cabin in the mountains—somewhere he'd never been, away from all the people and situations that reinforced his limited self-concept. In this new environment, without constant reminders of who he had been, Michael found it easier to think differently. Each morning, he sat quietly and envisioned himself as the successful musician he wanted to become. He mentally rehearsed performing on stage, connecting with an audience, and feeling fulfilled by sharing his art. Without his usual surroundings contradicting these thoughts, they began to feel increasingly real and possible. When Michael returned home, he implemented specific strategies to maintain his new mindset despite returning to familiar surroundings. He rearranged his living space, created new routines, and limited time with people who reinforced his old identity. He scheduled regular "environment breaks"—times when he would purposely seek new experiences that supported his evolving self-concept. To break free from environmental conditioning, start by becoming aware of how your surroundings influence your thoughts and feelings. Identify the specific cues that trigger limiting beliefs or behaviors. Create periods of disconnection from these influences through meditation, nature immersion, or travel. During these times, mentally rehearse being your ideal self. Then gradually introduce changes to your regular environment that support your new identity rather than reinforcing the old one. Remember that true greatness comes from holding fast to your vision regardless of environmental circumstances. Like history's most influential figures, you can learn to think beyond your current conditions and live from a state of mind that reflects your desired future rather than your past conditioning.

Chapter 3: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Transformation

Your thoughts don't just affect your mood—they create measurable changes in your brain's physical structure and your body's biochemistry. Every time you think, your brain releases specific neurotransmitters that trigger corresponding emotions. These emotions then condition your body to respond in particular ways, creating a continuous feedback loop between mind and body that can either keep you stuck or propel you toward transformation. Take David, who had struggled with chronic anxiety for years. Whenever he faced a challenging situation, his thoughts automatically turned to worst-case scenarios. These thoughts triggered his brain to release stress chemicals that flooded his body, causing rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, and muscle tension. His body's response then sent signals back to his brain, confirming that there was indeed something to fear, creating a self-perpetuating cycle. David learned that by age 35, about 95 percent of who we are—our beliefs, habits, emotional reactions—operates from subconscious programming. His anxiety wasn't a conscious choice but an automatic response pattern that had become hardwired through repetition. To change this pattern, he needed to interrupt the cycle at the level of both mind and body. He began practicing mindful awareness of his thought patterns, catching anxious thoughts before they triggered the familiar cascade of physical responses. When he noticed anxiety arising, he would consciously slow his breathing and relax his muscles, sending different signals to his brain. He also learned that visualization techniques could actually change his brain's neural pathways even without external experiences. In one powerful exercise, David spent 20 minutes daily visualizing himself handling challenging situations with calm confidence. Studies show that mental rehearsal creates many of the same neural changes as physical practice. As he consistently practiced these visualizations, his brain formed new neural pathways associated with confidence rather than fear. Eventually, his body began to produce different chemicals—ones associated with calm and well-being rather than stress and anxiety. To rewire your own brain and body, start by becoming aware of your habitual thought patterns and their corresponding physical sensations. Practice interrupting negative thought cycles before they trigger emotional and physical reactions. Use focused visualization to create new neural pathways associated with your desired states of being. Remember that consistency is key—neurons that repeatedly fire together wire together, creating lasting change. The most powerful transformation happens when you can maintain elevated emotions like gratitude, joy, and love regardless of external circumstances. When you can think and feel as if your desired future has already happened, your brain and body begin to change in ways that make that future more likely to manifest.

Chapter 4: Harness Meditation for Lasting Change

Meditation is far more than a relaxation technique—it's a powerful tool for accessing and reprogramming your subconscious mind. When practiced effectively, meditation allows you to move beyond analytical thinking into brain wave states where lasting change becomes possible. This is where you can truly break the habit of being yourself and install new patterns of thinking, feeling, and being. Maria had tried numerous self-help approaches to overcome her deep-seated patterns of self-criticism, but found herself repeatedly falling back into familiar negative thoughts despite her best conscious efforts. She didn't realize that her analytical mind—operating primarily in Beta brain wave states—was actually preventing access to the subconscious programs she needed to change. When Maria learned about different brain wave states, she discovered that meditation could help her access Alpha and Theta states—slower brain wave patterns where the door between the conscious and subconscious mind opens. In these states, she could finally reach and modify the underlying programs that kept her stuck in self-criticism. She began a daily meditation practice focused specifically on transformation rather than just relaxation. First, she would use breathing techniques and body awareness to slow her brain waves from Beta to Alpha. In this receptive state, she would observe her habitual thoughts without judgment, recognizing the self-critical patterns she wanted to change. Then she would surrender these patterns to a higher intelligence, creating space for new possibilities. As Maria continued her practice, she learned to access even deeper Theta brain wave states—where the body is deeply relaxed while the mind remains alert. In this state, she could more directly reprogram her subconscious, visualizing herself embodying self-compassion and feeling the associated emotions as if they were already her reality. She wasn't just thinking about changing—she was experiencing herself as already changed at the level of mind and body. To harness meditation for lasting change, establish a consistent daily practice in a quiet, distraction-free environment. Begin by focusing on your breath or body sensations to quiet the analytical mind and slow your brain waves. Once relaxed, practice metacognition—observing your thoughts and feelings without attachment. Identify limiting patterns you wish to change, then mentally rehearse new ways of thinking, feeling, and being. End by experiencing gratitude as if your desired changes have already manifested. The key to effective meditation is moving from thinking to being—from intellectual understanding to embodied experience. When you can generate and sustain elevated emotions during meditation, regardless of external circumstances, you create coherent brain wave patterns that facilitate profound transformation. With regular practice, these new patterns become your default state, allowing you to respond to life's challenges from a place of greater awareness and choice.

Chapter 5: Step-by-Step Process to Create a New Self

Creating a new self requires more than positive thinking—it demands a systematic approach to changing your entire state of being. This process involves specific steps that, when practiced consistently, allow you to overcome the habit of being yourself and embody a new identity aligned with your desired future. Robert had been trying to reinvent himself for years, bouncing between self-help books and motivational seminars with temporary results but no lasting change. His attempts at transformation always seemed to fizzle out when facing real-world challenges. What he needed was a structured process to make his desired changes stick at the level of his subconscious mind. He discovered a seven-step meditation process designed specifically for personal transformation. The first step involved inducing a relaxed state where his brain waves would slow from Beta to Alpha, making his subconscious more accessible. In this receptive state, he could recognize the limiting aspects of his current self that he wanted to change—his tendency toward pessimism, procrastination, and self-doubt. Next, Robert practiced admitting and declaring these limitations, acknowledging them honestly rather than denying or justifying them. This step was surprisingly powerful—speaking his truth aloud helped release the emotional energy he'd been using to maintain these patterns. He then surrendered these aspects to a higher intelligence, trusting that something greater than his analytical mind could help resolve these limitations. The middle steps of the process involved observing and redirecting his habitual thoughts and behaviors. Robert became skilled at noticing when he slipped into old patterns and immediately saying "Change!" to interrupt the automatic neural firing. This conscious intervention prevented his old neural networks from strengthening and began the process of unwiring them. Finally, Robert learned to create and mentally rehearse his new self. He would vividly imagine himself embodying confidence, decisiveness, and optimism—not just thinking about these qualities but feeling them in his body as if they were already his reality. Through daily repetition, these new neural patterns became increasingly familiar and eventually automatic. To implement this process yourself, set aside time each day for meditation focused on transformation. Begin with an induction technique to slow your brain waves. Identify specific aspects of yourself you want to change, admit and declare them, then surrender them to a higher wisdom. Practice metacognition throughout your day, observing and redirecting old patterns. Regularly create and mentally rehearse your new self until it becomes your dominant state of being. Remember that consistency is crucial—neural networks form through repetition. The more frequently you practice these steps, the more quickly your new self will become your default way of being. Be patient with yourself during this process, celebrating small shifts as evidence of the larger transformation underway.

Chapter 6: Live and Demonstrate Your New Reality

Once you've begun to create a new self through meditation, the crucial next step is living that new identity in your daily life. This phase—called demonstration—is where many people falter, reverting to old patterns when faced with familiar environments and triggers. True transformation requires that you maintain your new state of being regardless of external circumstances. Elena had made significant progress in her meditation practice, consistently accessing elevated emotional states and mentally rehearsing herself as confident and creative. However, she noticed that when she returned to her workplace—where she'd previously felt insecure and overlooked—she would quickly slip back into her old ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. The gap between who she was in meditation and who she was in daily life was preventing real transformation. She realized that demonstration—living as her new self in all circumstances—was the essential bridge between internal change and external reality. Elena began by identifying specific situations that typically triggered her old patterns. Before entering these situations, she would take a moment to remind herself of who she was choosing to be. She created simple mental cues like "I am the creator of my experience" that she could silently repeat when feeling challenged. As Elena consistently demonstrated her new self, something remarkable happened. Her colleagues began responding to her differently, opportunities for creative expression appeared, and circumstances seemed to reorganize themselves to support her new identity. She understood that according to quantum principles, when she changed her internal state, the external world had to reflect that change—not immediately, but inevitably. The key to successful demonstration is maintaining energetic coherence—ensuring that your thoughts and feelings remain aligned with your new identity regardless of external feedback. Elena learned to expect synchronicities and new opportunities as confirmation that her internal changes were affecting her external reality. These "quantum surprises" further reinforced her commitment to living as her new self. To effectively demonstrate your new reality, start each day by reminding yourself who you're choosing to be. Plan specific moments throughout the day to check in with your state of being, especially before challenging situations. When you notice yourself slipping into old patterns, gently redirect your attention to your new identity without judgment or self-criticism. Look for and acknowledge evidence that your reality is beginning to shift in response to your internal changes. Remember that demonstration is not about forcing outcomes or controlling circumstances—it's about maintaining an elevated state of being regardless of what's happening around you. When your internal state remains consistent, your external reality must eventually conform to match it. This is the ultimate test and proof of your transformation—living as your new self not just in meditation but in every moment of your life.

Chapter 7: Sustain Growth with Daily Practice

Sustaining personal transformation requires more than occasional effort—it demands a consistent daily practice that eventually becomes as natural as breathing. Like any meaningful skill, maintaining your new state of being gets easier with practice but never stops requiring conscious attention and refinement. James had experienced profound shifts through meditation and had successfully demonstrated his new, more confident and compassionate self for several months. Then life threw him a series of challenges—a difficult project at work, financial pressure, and health issues in his family. Under stress, he found himself slipping back into old patterns of anxiety and self-criticism. He realized that transformation isn't a one-time event but an ongoing journey requiring continuous cultivation. He recommitted to his daily meditation practice, understanding that it wasn't just about achieving change but about sustaining it through life's inevitable ups and downs. Each morning, he would review his progress, celebrating successes and identifying areas where old patterns had resurfaced. Rather than judging himself for these slips, he used them as valuable information about aspects of his subconscious programming that needed further attention. James also recognized the importance of community in sustaining transformation. He joined a group of like-minded individuals who were also committed to conscious evolution. Their weekly meetings provided accountability, inspiration, and the opportunity to share both challenges and breakthroughs. This support system became especially valuable during difficult times when maintaining his new state of being required more effort. As months passed, James noticed that what once required conscious effort was becoming increasingly natural. His new neural pathways were strengthening, making his transformed state more stable and resilient. He still experienced challenging emotions and thoughts, but his relationship to them had fundamentally changed—he could observe them without being controlled by them, choosing his response rather than reacting automatically. To sustain your own growth, establish non-negotiable daily practices that reinforce your new identity. These might include meditation, journaling, movement practices, or conscious breathing. Create systems for self-monitoring that help you notice when you're slipping into old patterns. End each day with reflection, asking yourself what went well and where you could have responded differently. Remember that transformation is not about achieving perfection but about developing greater awareness and choice. When you inevitably encounter setbacks, treat them as valuable feedback rather than failures. Each time you notice an old pattern and choose differently, you strengthen your new neural pathways and deepen your transformation. With consistent practice and self-compassion, your new state of being will become your natural way of existing in the world.

Summary

Throughout this journey of breaking the habit of being yourself, we've explored how your thoughts literally create your reality through measurable changes in your brain, body, and the quantum field. You've discovered that transformation requires more than positive thinking—it demands changing your entire state of being by overcoming the limitations of your environment, your emotional addictions, and your concept of time. As Dr. Joe Dispenza powerfully states, "The greatest habit you can ever break is the habit of being yourself, and the greatest habit you will ever create is the habit of expressing the divine through you." Your next step is simple yet profound: commit to a daily meditation practice specifically designed for transformation. Begin today by setting aside 20 minutes to quiet your analytical mind, access your subconscious, and mentally rehearse your new identity. Remember that you are not doomed to repeat your past—you have the power to create a new mind and therefore a new life. The quantum field of infinite possibilities awaits your conscious direction.

About Author

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Joe Dispenza

Dr Joe Dispenza is an international lecturer, researcher, corporate consultant, author, and educator who has been invited to speak in more than 33 countries on six continents. As a lecturer and educator, he is driven by the conviction that each of us has the potential for greatness and unlimited abilities. In his easy-to-understand, encouraging, and compassionate style, he has educated thousands of people, detailing how they can rewire their brains and recondition their bodies to make lasting changes.In addition to offering a variety of online courses and teleclasses, he has personally taught three-day Progressive Workshops, five-day Advanced Workshops, and seven-day Week Long Advanced Retreats in the U.S. and abroad. Starting in 2018, his workshops became week-long offerings, and the content of the progressive workshops became available online. Dr. Joe is also a faculty member at Quantum University in Honolulu, Hawaii; the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck, New York; and Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. He’s also an invited chair of the research committee at Life University in Atlanta, Georgia.As a researcher, Dr. Joe’s passion can be found at the intersection of the latest findings from the fields of neuroscience, epigenetics, and quantum physics to explore the science behind spontaneous remissions. He uses that knowledge to help people heal themselves of illnesses, chronic conditions, and even terminal diseases so they can enjoy a more fulfilled and happy life, as well as evolve their consciousness. At his advanced workshops around the world, he has partnered with other scientists to perform extensive research on the effects of meditation, including epigenetic testing, brain mapping with electroencephalograms (EEGs), and individual energy field testing with a gas discharge visualization (GDV) machine. His research also includes measuring both heart coherence with HeartMath monitors and the energy present in the workshop environment before, during, and after events with a GDV Sputnik sensor.As a corporate consultant, Dr. Joe gives on-site lectures and workshops for businesses and corporations interested in using neuroscientific principles to boost employees’ creativity, innovation, productivity, and more. His corporate program also includes private coaching for upper management. Dr. Joe has personally trained and certified a group of more than 70 corporate trainers who teach his model of transformation to companies around the world. He also recently began certifying independent coaches to use his model of change with their own clients.Dr. Joe received a B.S. from Evergreen State College and his doctor of chiropractic degree from Life University, where he graduated with honors. His postgraduate training covered neurology, neuroscience, brain function and chemistry, cellular biology, memory formation, and aging and longevity. For more information go to www.drjoedispenza.com

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