YAGERIAN THERAPY: Using the Mind to Heal by Yager Edwin

Author:Yager, Edwin [Yager, Edwin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Edwin K. Yager, Ph.D.
Published: 2018-09-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15 Learning

When does learning begin? Why do we learn one thing rather than another from an experience? How can we re-learn something in a different way? Can the change we seek be made by relearning? The answers to these questions are fundamental considerations when using Yagerian Therapy.

There is ample evidence that learning begins before birth and the content of that learning may have lifelong significance. Values, skills, and behaviors are learned at all ages, and these lessons may be constructive or destructive. Moreover, what we learn to be true today may be shown to be false tomorrow. A child frightened in a dark place may learn to associate darkness with fear, and that “learning,” even though not appropriate in adult life, may have a lifelong effect unless someform of “relearning” takes place.

It is accurate to say that we “learned” to walk, talk, read, and do math. It is equally accurate to say that we might learn to smoke, to fear the dark, or whatever it is that we now wish to change. Just as we “learned” something then, we can “re-learn” it in a different way now. We have more information now than we had then. We know more about ourselves and about our world now than we did then. Yagerian Therapy provides means to communicate that new learning to parts of the mind that are still functioning on the basis of knowledge acquired in earlier experiences.

Change is motivated and instigated by conscious values and needs. Whatever we do in the pursuit of change is prompted by consciousness; yet, change must be accomplished by changing the conditioning in the subconscious domain of our minds. Yagerian Therapy works by engaging mental abilities that exceed conscious abilities; nevertheless, change does not seem to occur at all except as promoted by conscious will.

The most prevalent characteristics of consciousness (motivation and will) are not characteristics of the subconscious or extraconscious domains. Conversely, the most prevalent characteristics of the subconscious domain – memory, smooth muscle control, regulation of non-voluntary physical functioning, and a host of others – are not characteristics of the conscious domain.

The subconscious and extra-conscious domains are separate and independent of the conscious domain. Different values, different needs, different strengths, and different motivations seem to simultaneously exist in each of these domains. One indication of this difference is the commonly experienced dichotomy of thinking about things: “I know it’s irrational to be afraid of the dark, but I am.” “Of course, I know I’m attractive, I just don’t think I am.” “I want to eat much less, but I eat more.” However, I must emphasize that while such negative illustrations are true, it is also true that subconscious mental functioning is overwhelmingly positive and productive in the process of living. The following are examples of positive functioning of the extra-conscious domain, accomplished without conscious participation in controlling the process:

• Walking and talking

• Writing

• Playing a musical instrument • Regulation of digestion

• Regulation of glandular activity • Regulation of heart rhythm

These, and all

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