The Battle Between Willpower and the Unconscious: Unlearning as a Path to Liberation

The struggle between willpower and the unconscious mind becomes glaringly evident when a person finds themselves enslaved by a habit they cannot break free from. When the urge arises, an implacable temptation takes hold, and the imagination is captivated. And, if by voluntary resistance, one attempts to escape this detrimental influence, the unconscious mind opposes the decision using its formidable means. Initially, it is the cumulative force of repetitive impulses to satisfy that habit (in other words, the extraordinary energy of automatic responses), and then it is the disruption caused by the fixated idea within the realm of the conscious mind, toward which all surrender efforts are directed.

In general, unlearning, much like learning, is perceived as a challenging endeavor. As long as a behavior can be learned, it can just as well be unlearned—because, as the saying goes, "every learning has an unlearning." Each behavior has specific antecedents and consequences. Therefore, perhaps the most crucial question we ask ourselves when we intend to unlearn something sounds like this: "What's the reward?" Unlearning a habit or a skill we have been taught requires strong motivation. If our inner world does not cooperate positively in this regard, the path to unlearning will be arduous and may not lead to the desired outcome. We will struggle, become frustrated, exert pressure on ourselves, and still not unlearn, even though we know that the habit causes us problems. The law of effect and the law of exercise are of great importance when it comes to unlearning. The law of effect means that the strength of the connection between a situation and a response increases if the association is followed by a satisfying state and decreases if the association is followed by an unsatisfactory state. The law of exercise suggests that the strength of the connection between a situation and a response increases gradually with the repetition of this association. Emotional control is important both for learning and unlearning.

Here are some necessary steps for emotional control when it comes to unlearning:

Cultivate a positive attitude towards unlearning.

Reduce the intensity of conflicting emotions during unlearning situations.

Recognize the relationship between the desire to unlearn and the experience of emotions such as anxiety and frustration.

Acknowledge stress (sensitivity to signals indicating stress).

Modify automatic thoughts (analyze arguments for and against these thoughts; develop coping strategies in case of failure to unlearn a particular behavior).

Factors such as self-image and past achievements can influence the unlearning process personally.

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." – Alvin Toffler

Steps to follow when intending to unlearn a certain behavior are:

Clearly define what needs to be unlearned.

Set realistic goals.

Seek motivation and exercise self-control.

Possess authentic predictive power (intuition about the future).

Develop strategic problem-solving skills.

Maintain a positive inner tone.

Visualize positive outcomes.

Bill Lucas, an international expert in continuous education, author, and co-author of over 20 books, presents ten ways to stimulate your motivation:

Reward yourself. This will make you feel good, confirm your previous achievements, and motivate you to continue.

Stop your current activities and engage in physical exercise. To function well, the brain needs plenty of oxygenated blood. Simply getting up adds an extra 20% supply.

Take a break. A change of environment helps you see the situation differently.

Check if you see the bigger picture. Your brain is constantly trying to establish new connections, so providing it with the bigger picture in advance allows it to interpret information.

Find a way to break the problem into smaller pieces. Your brain finds it easier to tackle big issues if they are broken down into smaller components.

Try looking at the situation from a different angle. Visualizing the desired outcome can be helpful.

Celebrate your achievements. Positive thoughts about your success will help you keep going.

Find a source of amusement. Studies show that when we laugh, our brains release endorphins, which promote relaxation.

Seek help from a friend. Two heads are better than one.

Make a list of all the ways you've approached a similar situation before. Your brain loves patterns, so doing this may help it make a new connection.

"The challenge presented by dependencies is to find nourishing replacements that meet your subtle and profound needs for love, self-esteem, and the meaning of life. Once you understand that your experiences are metabolized into the substance of your mind and body, you can begin to make conscious choices to transform your experiences into a life-transforming pharmacy. Your sensory experiences are the doorway to your inner pharmacy. Use them to awaken the natural chemistry of health and happiness within you." – David Simon & Deepak Chopra

We possess the gift of free will. Living consciously and in balance requires clear communication between the mind and the soul. Sometimes, we feel the need to slow down, while other times it may seem like we're standing still. We can learn how to be comfortable without being dependent on food, tobacco, alcohol, or relationships. We can learn this by unlearning the inner programming that sabotages us and unlearning the pressure we place on ourselves.