AutoPilot
For now, let’s define autopilot the same way we would for a car or an airplane. A predetermined course that does not require pilot input or driver’s input to arrive at a destination. Now you’re probably saying to yourself that doesn’t sound so bad, owning a Tesla would be pretty cool and you could sit back and do other things while your car drives for you. You know what, you’re right when it comes to a car or an airplane it is pretty cool, but when we’re talking about your mind and your emotions this is a whole other matter.
This can have other heavy side effects or burdens if not cared for and maintained. When it comes to our mind, we definitely want to be the one in control, this might even go more so for our emotions. Our very nature is to be emotional creatures and we tend to base a lot of our reactions and our next course of action based on how we feel. Sometimes those reactions that are born out of emotions bring us out of our normal character and can cause us to do something that is not in our best interest.
Logically speaking every person wants to be mindful but wanting it is not enough. The reason we started lesson one with autopilot is because first you have to recognize where you are, that is the start of mindfulness. A little later on I’m going to provide a list of signals for autopilot. I want you to go through them as honestly as you can and see how many you can relate to. Remember this isn’t about you doing this one thing 100% of the time, it’s much more about if you can recognize this one thing in this moment. It’s an indicator to get off of autopilot much like a warning light on your dash or road sign ahead saying slow down. Later on in the course we’ll talk about many different methods and exercises to use in this process, but it is a space to be built not just to want.
