The secret to self-control

Stopping ourselves from doing things we want to do, but know are not in our best interests, is one of the challenges of being human and a battle you are probably familiar with.

- JILLIAN SAWERS

In some ways it is like putting on the brakes once we have realized we are heading in the wrong direction.

This can be a challenge when you are going at 100 kmph towards your favourite addiction! Of the most useful models which explains how our consciousness works in terms of forming and changing habits I learnt from the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.

Just as physical energy can be channelled through various devices to create heat, light, or sound. The energy of our consciousness is channelled through three faculties, which work together to form or break habits.

The first aspect of the energy of our consciousness is the mind. The mind is like a screen on which thoughts, feelings, ideas, images, and desires play out. These can be prompted from within or without. The mind does not have a mind of its own, in a sense that it is like a child who cannot discern what is harmful or helpful. Orange juice or Pepsi, the child-like mind just moves towards what feels good. So, generally our minds gravitate to thoughts and behaviours which offer instant feelgood rewards.