Breaking The Habit Of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One

“True empowerment comes when we start to look deeply at our beliefs. We may find their roots in the conditioning of religion, culture, society, education, family, the media, and even our genes (the latter being imprinted by the sensory experiences of our current lives, as well as untold generations). Then we weigh those old ideas against some new paradigms that may serve us better.”

This excerpt delves into the transformative process of self-examination and challenges the reader to question the origins of deeply ingrained beliefs. By listing influences like religion, culture, and genetics, the author employs an accumulative rhetorical strategy, illustrating the pervasive nature of conditioning. The juxtaposition of “old ideas” with “new paradigms” invites critical reflection and emphasizes the empowering act of choice in adopting beliefs that align with one’s personal growth. The mention of inherited experiences, including those at the genetic level, suggests that transformation involves not only reshaping one’s individual mindset but also addressing the legacy of generational influences.

“Quantum physics calls this phenomenon ‘collapse of the wave function’ or the ‘observer effect.’ We now know that the moment the observer looks for an electron, there is a specific point in time and space when all probabilities of the electron collapse into a physical event. With this discovery, mind and matter can no longer be considered separate; they are intrinsically related, because subjective mind produces measurable changes on the objective, physical world.”

Dispenza borrows the “observer effect” from quantum physics to illustrate the connection between consciousness and physical reality, arguing for The Power of Thought and Belief in Shaping Reality. He uses scientific terminology, such as “collapse of the wave function,” in an attempt to lend credibility to his more speculative assertions that people’s thoughts can reshape their physical and material reality.

“Think about that for a moment. What opportunities are out there waiting to find you? Who are you being in this moment…and every other moment? Is your being that way going to attract to you all that you desire? Can you change your state of being? And once you inhabit a new mind, can you observe a new destiny? The answers are what the rest of this book is all about.”

Dispenza employs a series of rhetorical questions to provoke self-reflection and invite readers to engage in the transformative potential of their own state of being. By emphasizing the connection between identity, intention, and destiny, he urges readers to consider their role as active participants in shaping their reality. The deliberate use of repetition, such as “moment” and “being,” emphasizes the immediacy and continuity of personal agency, while the open-ended questions create an introspective tone, drawing readers into the thematic core of the book.

“But to break the habit of being yourself, you have to think greater than the circumstances of your life, be greater than the feelings that you have memorized in your body, and live in a new line of time.”

Dispenza here encapsulates the central theme of Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs to Achieve Transformation. The use of imperative phrases like “think greater” and “be greater” emphasizes the active, intentional effort required for personal growth. By contrasting habitual feelings and circumstances with the concept of “a new line of time,” he introduces a metaphorical shift that challenges linear perceptions of identity and change, urging readers to redefine their narrative and embody a future-oriented mindset. The concise structure and rhythm reinforce the urgency and empowerment inherent in his message.

“When you think from your past memories, you can only create past experiences. As all of the ‘knowns’ in your life cause your brain to think and feel in familiar ways, thus creating knowable outcomes, you continually reaffirm your life as you know it. And since your brain is equal to your environment, then each morning, your senses plug you into the same reality and initiate the same stream of consciousness.”

Dispenza critiques the cyclical nature of habitual thought and its role in perpetuating familiar experiences. By linking memory, environment, and consciousness, he elucidates how deeply ingrained patterns limit one’s ability to create new realities. The phrase “your brain is equal to your environment” illustrates the fusion of internal and external worlds, emphasizing the deterministic loop of routine thinking. Through a matter-of-fact tone, he prompts readers to recognize the unconscious ways they reinforce their current state, as he invites reflection on The Potential for Reprogramming Through Meditation and Mindfulness.

“There is a principle in neuroscience called Hebb’s law. It basically states that ‘nerve cells that fire together, wire together.’ Hebb’s credo demonstrates that if you repeatedly activate the same nerve cells, then each time they turn on, it will be easier for them to fire in unison again. Eventually those neurons will develop a long-term relationship.”

Dispenza utilizes Hebb’s law as a scientific principle to explain the brain’s capacity for forming habitual neural patterns. By referencing this neuroscientific concept, he bridges technical knowledge with accessible language, making it relatable to readers. The metaphor of nerve cells developing a “long-term relationship” humanizes the abstract idea, highlighting the enduring nature of repetitive thought and behavior. This approach not only highlights the plasticity of the brain but also subtly encourages readers to take responsibility for reshaping their neural pathways through intentional actions and focus.

“A state of being means we have become familiar with a mental-emotional state, a way of thinking and a way of feeling, which has become an integral part of our self-identity. And so we describe who we are by how we are thinking (and thus feeling) or being in the present moment. I am angry; I am suffering; I am inspired; I am insecure; I am negative.”

Dispenza explores the concept of a “state of being” as a fusion of thought and emotion that forms the essence of self-identity. By listing emotions in the first person, such as “I am angry” or “I am inspired,” he emphasizes how individuals unconsciously define themselves through habitual mental-emotional patterns. This rhetorical strategy invites readers to reflect on their own self-perceptions and challenges them to consider how these states are both chosen and perpetuated. Through this lens, Dispenza highlights the potential of consciously redefining one’s identity by Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs to Achieve Transformation.

“What is the genetic impact if we stay in routine, familiar conditions—creating the same emotional reactions by doing the same things, thinking the same thoughts, seeing the same people, and memorizing our lives into a predictable pattern? We are now headed for an undesirable genetic destiny; we are locked into the same patterns as generations before us, which confronted the same or similar situations. And if we are only reliving our emotional memories of the past, then we are headed for a predictable end—our bodies will begin to create the same genetic conditions that previous generations faced.”

Dispenza argues for the connection between habitual behavior, emotional repetition, and genetic expression, positing that routine and predictable patterns of living may reinforce inherited genetic tendencies. By framing this cycle as a “genetic destiny,” he highlights the risk of perpetuating undesirable conditions if individuals fail to break free from familiar emotional and behavioral loops. His use of rhetorical questions prompts readers to consider their own inherited patterns and their role in shaping their future.

“Think of Pavlov and his dogs. In the 1890s, the young Russian scientist strapped a few dogs to a table, rang a bell, and then fed the canines a hearty meal. Over time, after repeatedly exposing the dogs to the same stimulus, he simply rang the bell, and the dogs automatically salivated in anticipation. This is called a conditioned response, and the process occurs automatically. Why? Because the body begins to respond autonomically (think of our autonomic nervous system).”

Dispenza uses Pavlov’s dogs to illustrate the concept of conditioned responses and how the body autonomically reacts to repeated stimuli. He uses the experiment to illustrate his broader argument about the autonomic nervous system’s role in shaping habitual emotional and physiological patterns: He asserts that human behavior, like Pavlov’s dogs, often operates on autopilot due to deeply ingrained conditioning. This serves as a foundation for his call to break free from such automatic responses to achieve intentional transformation.

“Living in survival is the reason why we humans are so dominated by the Big Three. The stress response and the hormones that it triggers force us to focus on (and obsess about) the body, the environment, and time. As a result, we begin to define our ‘self’ within the confines of the physical realm; we become less spiritual, less conscious, less aware, and less mindful.”

Dispenza examines the impact of living in survival mode, emphasizing how stress narrows human focus to the “Big Three”—the body, the environment, and time. By framing the stress response as a biologically driven obsession with the physical realm, he critiques how this state diminishes spiritual awareness and mindfulness. Through the use of juxtaposition, contrasting survival instincts with higher states of consciousness, Dispenza highlights the disempowering effects of stress hormones on human potential. This analysis of the survival mindset urges readers to transcend reactive patterns and embrace a more expansive, spiritually attuned state of being.

“Once you’re no longer connected to a body; no longer focused on people, places, or things in your external environment; and beyond linear time, you’re entering the door of the quantum field. You cannot enter as a somebody, you must do so as a nobody. You have to leave the self-centered ego at the door and enter the realm of consciousness as pure consciousness.”

Dispenza explores the process of accessing what he calls “the quantum field,” emphasizing the necessity of shedding ego-driven identity. By urging readers to disconnect from physical constraints such as the body, external environment, and linear time, he frames the quantum field as a space of pure potential that demands a shift from individuality to universality. The metaphor of leaving the ego “at the door” illustrates the surrender required to transcend self-centered awareness and to embrace The Potential for Reprogramming Through Meditation and Mindfulness.

“The gift of neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to rewire and create new circuits at any age as a result of input from the environment and our conscious intentions) is that we can create a new level of mind. There’s a sort of neurological ‘out with the old, in with the new,’ a process that neuroscientists call pruning and sprouting. It’s what I call unlearning and learning, and it creates the opportunity for us to rise above our current limitations and to be greater than our conditioning or circumstances.”

Dispenza highlights the power of neuroplasticity, portraying it as a tool for transcending limitations and reshaping identity. The analogy of “pruning and sprouting,” borrowed from neuroscience, conveys the dual process of dismantling old neural patterns and fostering new ones. By equating this scientific phenomenon with “unlearning and learning,” he simplifies the concept for readers, making it seem relatable and actionable. This connection between environment, conscious intention, and brain adaptability highlights the book’s central message: Individuals have the capacity to redefine themselves and overcome conditioned behaviors through deliberate effort and intentional focus, invoking The Power of Thought and Belief in Shaping Reality.

“My definition of mastery is that our internal chemical state is greater than anything in our external world. You are a master when you’ve conditioned yourself with chosen thoughts and feelings, you’ve memorized desired emotional/chemical states, and nothing in your external life deters you from your aims. No person, no thing, and no experience at any time or place should disrupt your internal chemical coherence. You can think, act, and feel differently whenever you choose.”

Dispenza presents mastery as the ultimate alignment of internal and external realities, achieved through intentional control over thoughts, emotions, and chemical states. The use of phrases like “internal chemical state” and “chemical coherence” ties abstract concepts of self-mastery to tangible physiological processes. By framing mastery as the ability to remain unaffected by external disruptions, he advocates for The Power of Thought and Belief in Shaping Reality. This definition emphasizes autonomy and empowerment, portraying transformation as a deliberate and conscious practice that transcends external circumstances. The repetition of “no person, no thing, and no experience” reinforces the inviolability of the master’s internal state, urging readers to view their inner world as the primary driver of their reality.

“On the day I recognized the core reason for my unhappiness, I also realized that I needed the external world to remember who I was. My identity had become the people I talked to, the cities I visited, the things I did while I was traveling, and the experiences I needed in order to reaffirm myself as this person called Joe Dispenza. And when I wasn’t around anyone who could help me recall this personality that the world might know as me, I wasn’t sure who I was anymore. In fact, I saw that all of my perceived happiness was really just a reaction to stimuli in the external world that made me feel certain ways.”

Dispenza reflects on the fragility of an identity built on external validation, offering himself as an example of how external stimuli shape self-perception. By juxtaposing the transient nature of external stimuli with the enduring need for internal clarity, he highlights the struggle to detach self-worth from external experiences. The deliberate repetition of “external” emphasizes the extent of his reliance on outward reinforcement, while the confessional tone invites readers to examine their own dependencies and to consider The Potential for Reprogramming Through Meditation and Mindfulness.

“When we memorize addictive emotional states such as guilt, shame, anger, fear, anxiety, judgment, depression, self-importance, or hatred, we develop a gap between the way we appear and the way we really are. The former is how we want other people to see us. The latter is our state of being when we are not interacting with all of the different experiences, diverse things, and assorted people at various times and places in our lives. If we sit long enough without doing anything, we begin to feel something. That something is who we really are.”

Dispenza critiques the dissonance between outward appearances and inner emotional realities, emphasizing how addictive emotional states create a fragmented self. The notion of a “gap” metaphorically illustrates the division between the facade we present to others and the authentic self we suppress. The rhetorical cadence of listing emotions like guilt, shame, and anger mirrors the repetitive cycle of these states, reinforcing their habitual nature. By suggesting that stillness reveals the authentic self, Dispenza invites readers to confront the discomfort of unfiltered introspection and to accept the possibility of Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs to Achieve Transformation.

“Meditating will help you peel away some of the layers, remove some of the masks you’ve worn. Both of those things have blocked the flow of that grand intelligence within you. As a result of shedding those layers, you will become transparent. You are transparent when how you appear is who you are. And when you live your life that way, you will experience a state of gratitude, of elevated joy, which I believe is our natural state of being. As you do this, you begin to move out of the past so that you can set your sights on the future.”

Dispenza emphasizes meditation as a transformative practice that strips away the metaphorical “layers” and “masks” obscuring one’s true self, invoking The Potential for Reprogramming Through Meditation and Mindfulness. His use of the imagery of “peeling away layers” and “removing masks” evokes a process of unburdening and returning to authenticity. The concept of becoming “transparent” symbolizes the alignment between one’s internal self and external expression, a state he equates with gratitude and joy, which he posits as inherent human conditions. By connecting this inner transformation to moving beyond the past, Dispenza frames meditation not merely as a tool for relaxation but as a mechanism for personal evolution and forward-looking growth.

“During meditation, you transcend the feelings of the body, are no longer at the mercy of the environment, and lose track of time. You forget about you as an identity. As you close your eyes, the input from the outside world is reduced, and your neocortex has less to think about and analyze. As a result, the analytical mind begins to become subdued, and electrical activity in the neocortex quiets down.”

Dispenza illustrates meditation as a gateway to transcending the physical and mental constraints of daily existence. Through vivid descriptions, he conveys how closing one’s eyes and detaching from the sensory world reduces external distractions, allowing the analytical neocortex to quiet. This subdued state fosters a detachment from identity and the limitations imposed by time, environment, and the body. The language highlights meditation’s transformative potential as a practice that shifts focus inward, which enables a deeper connection to consciousness and triggers The Potential for Reprogramming Through Meditation and Mindfulness.

“As you know, daily changes in brain chemistry result in easier access to the subconscious mind just after you wake up in the morning and before you go to bed at night. These are the best times to meditate because you can more readily slip into the Alpha or Theta states. I prefer to meditate around the same time every morning.”

Dispenza emphasizes the importance of timing in meditation, linking it to the natural fluctuations in brain chemistry that make the subconscious mind more accessible. By highlighting the Alpha and Theta states as optimal for meditation, he underscores how specific times of day can enhance meditative practice. The use of personal preference (“I prefer to meditate around the same time every morning”) is meant to create an intimate tone, reinforcing his role not just as an instructor but as a practitioner sharing insights to make the process more effective and accessible for readers.

“There are many similar variations on induction techniques. Whether you use either the Body-Part or Water-Rising Induction, alternate them on different days, employ some other method you’ve used in the past, or devise a different one altogether isn’t important. What is important is that you move from that analytical Beta state to the sensory state of Alpha, and focus on the body, which is the subconscious mind and the operating system, where you can then make the changes you want.”

Dispenza emphasizes flexibility in meditative induction techniques, underscoring that the method itself is secondary to achieving the desired state of mind. By highlighting the transition from the analytical Beta state to the sensory-focused Alpha state, he argues that altering brain wave activity unlocks access to the subconscious mind. The metaphor of the body as an “operating system” frames meditation as a tool for reprogramming one’s internal mechanisms to align with desired changes.

“Only when you are truly conscious and aware do you begin to wake up from the dream. To become still, quiet, patient, and relaxed, and then be attentive to the habits of the old-personality self, disengages your subjective consciousness from overutilized attitudes and extreme emotional states. You no longer are the same mind, because you are now freeing yourself from the chains of the self-centered nature of the ego lost in itself. And when you see who you have been, by means of the observer’s watchful eye, you will crave life more, because you will truly desire to make a greater difference the next day.”

Dispenza explores the power of heightened awareness and mindfulness. By advocating for stillness and attentiveness, he presents self-observation as a pathway to breaking free from the entrenched patterns of the “old-personality self.” The imagery of “chains” emphasizes the restrictive nature of ego-driven habits and extreme emotional states, while the “observer’s watchful eye” symbolizes a higher, detached consciousness that facilitates growth. This interplay between introspection and renewal underlines the liberating potential of conscious self-awareness.

“When you can stop a knee-jerk emotional reaction to some thing or person in your life, you are choosing to save yourself from returning to the old you that thinks and acts in such limited ways. By the same idea, as you gain conscious control over your thoughts that may be initiated from some stray memory or association connected with some environmental cue, you will move away from the predictable destiny in which you think the same thoughts and perform the same actions, which will create the same reality. It is a reminder placed by you in your own mind.”

Dispenza highlights the power of interrupting automatic emotional and mental patterns, arguing for The Power of Thought and Belief in Shaping Reality. He refers to the connection between habitual reactions and the perpetuation of a “predictable destiny,” suggesting that breaking these cycles is a deliberate act of self-liberation. The phrase “a reminder placed by you in your own mind” conveys a sense of personal agency and responsibility, reinforcing the idea that conscious intervention can redirect one’s life trajectory.

“When you meditate to create the new you, your job is to reproduce the same level of mind every day, to think and feel differently than you usually do. You should be able to repeat that same frame of mind at will and make it commonplace. Furthermore, you have to allow your body to feel that new feeling until you actually are that new person. In other words, you cannot get up as the same person who sat down.”

Dispenza emphasizes the importance of consistency and embodiment in the process of personal transformation through meditation. By urging readers to intentionally cultivate and repeatedly access a “new level of mind,” he emphasizes the active role of practice in internalizing change. The statement “you cannot get up as the same person who sat down” reflects The Potential for Reprogramming Through Meditation and Mindfulness, as it calls for a complete alignment between thoughts, emotions, and physical states to integrate a new identity.

“Our purpose in life is not to be good, to please God, to be beautiful, to be popular, or to be successful. Our purpose, rather, is to remove the masks and the façades that block the flow of this intelligence and to express this greater mind through us. To become empowered by our efforts of creativity and to ask greater questions that will inevitably lead us to a more enriched destiny.”

Dispenza redefines life’s purpose as an internal journey of authenticity and self-expression rather than external validation through conventional markers like beauty, success, or societal approval. Through declarative statements and the use of imperative tones such as “remove” and “express,” he calls for an active dismantling of masks and façades that inhibit the flow of a “greater mind.” This framing shifts the focus from external accomplishments to internal alignment with a higher intelligence. By rejecting superficial pursuits and urging readers to connect with their authentic selves, Dispenza presents personal growth as a transformative and purposeful act.