Thoughts are like Monkeys

There is a story about an experiment
I heard about that has to do with
monkeys, bananas, and a water hose.

Essentially, the original group of
monkeys attempt to get bananas, but
are sprayed with a water hose.

As a result, they learn that it's
best not to go for the bananas.

Once the group has learned the
lesson, one monkey is replaced,
and when the new money tries to
get the banana, the original monkeys
do everything they can to stop him.

One by one monkeys are replaced and
eventually no monkeys go for the
bananas.

Do they know why? There's no more
water hose, so the original "dissuader"
is not even present.

Someone who knows what they're doing
with hypnosis as a hypnotist can be
like that spray hose, with the monkeys
as your thoughts.

Originally you may know why you are
or are not doing something, but after
a while it will just be "how it is."

You may not know how you got there,
or even care, and if it feels good
enough, want even more - which at
that point is actually less.

You wind up losing a part of yourself,
and you're not even able to consider
getting it back because you don't even
know it is gone.

Now, for a moment, let's say you, on
some level "willed" this. Maybe you
have been stressed, and need an escape.
For you it's likely to be a temporary
fix - something to just get you through.
How will you know when it's enough if
you've gone as far as I have described?

Odds are you won't.

Does it mean this is what you want for
you and your life? One might make that
argument, but I'd say in all likelihood,
probably not.

At least it isn't what the "original"
you probably wanted, and perhaps the
new you is content, as it doesn't know
any better.

Best to be careful when monkeying around.
:P

As always...if you have questions,
just ask!