Reflective Questions from the Foreward and Introduction of

Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself

Foreward:
Page xi​ - DJD talks about his example of being afraid of his brother growing up, so the fear
center in his brain is overactive. ​What center/s in my brain are overactive? Why?

Page xii​ - DJD talks about how “your moment-by-moment thoughts exert a powerful healing
effect on the brain… or they can work to your detriment.” ​What are my patterns of thoughts
today? Are they helping me or hindering me? If they are hindering me, are the thoughts still true
today?

Introduction:
Page xv​ - DJD says “I have witnessed some remarkable changes in individuals/ health and
quality of life when they truly change their minds.” ​What remarkable changes have I witnessed
in myself or in others?​ The more we put our attention and energy into the positive changes we
see, the more we will see! Ponder on what you have experienced yourself or through others.

Page xvii​ - DJD shares that “once we open our mind to the way things really are, and ​let go​ of
your conditioned beliefs with which you are accustomed to framing reality, you should see the
fruits of your efforts.” ​What can I let go of today to help me see things as they really are instead
of with the conditioned beliefs I am accustomed to?

Page xix​ - DJD shares that human nature is to resist change. We wait until things get really bad
and until we are so uncomfortable that we can no longer stand it. Typically it isn’t until crisis,
trauma, loss, disease, etc. occur before we embrace true change. He continues that often it
takes a worst-case scenario for us to begin making changes that support our health,
relationships, career, family, and future. ​Doesn’t this mean, then, that the discomfort we feel in
life, our pain and suffering, are there to teach us something? What discomfort am I feeling
today? What could this discomfort be trying to teach me?

Some favorite quotes from the foreward and introduction:

“We should never wait for science to give us permission to do the uncommon; if we do, then we
are turning science into another religion.”

“How many times in history have individuals who were considered heretics and fools, and thus
took the abuse of the unexceptional, emerged as geniuses, saints, or master? Will ​you​ dare to
be an original?”

“Repetition reinforces circuits in your brain…. so that in your weakest hour, you don’t talk
yourself out of greatness.”