8 Tasks for a Healthy Mind by Prakash Dr. Sathya

Author:Prakash, Dr. Sathya [Prakash, Dr. Sathya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: White Falcon Publishing
Published: 2020-08-26T00:00:00+00:00

TASK 5

Our next task is to identify the core belief(s). Core beliefs represent the deepest layer of the thoughts and has a correspondingly wide base. It is all pervading and is reflected in a wide variety of thought processes and behaviors. The intermediate beliefs, automatic thoughts, one’s general view of oneself and about the world are all colored by the core belief. Core beliefs are generally formed early in life and operate largely unidentified. They may recede to the background during periods of emotional well-being only to resurface strongly during times of distress. They may be difficult to change at times, but not impossible.

Core beliefs related to oneself generally fall under three categories – ‘I am worthless’ ‘I am helpless’ and ‘I am unloveable’. Core beliefs about the world may be along the lines of ‘the world is basically a bad place’.

How do we identify the core belief? This is fairly easy despite the fact that core beliefs are situated deep in one’s thought processes. Identify a few automatic thoughts and ask yourself ‘what does it mean if the automatic thought is true?’. Let us consider a few examples:

Automatic thought Core belief

‘I am a complete idiot’ ----- ‘I am worthless ’

‘Things are completely out of control’ ----- ‘I am helpless’

‘Nobody loves me, its my fault’ ----- ‘I am unloveable’

What does it mean to be a complete idiot? It means one is worthless. What does it mean to have things out of control and all over the place? One is helpless. What does it mean to feel that one is loved by nobody and it is one’s fault? One is unloveable. Simple as that!

What is your core belief? Ask the question described above, with each automatic thought in mind. Do all the answers hint at a single or similar underlying belief? (that is usually the case) Then that is your core belief. Sometimes people can have two core beliefs, e.g., helplessness and worthlessness.

Having identified the core belief, let us now turn our attention towards, the next task – altering the core belief.

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