Built Quote by David Bohm
“Thought reflexes get conditioned very strongly, and they are very hard to change. And the also interfere. A reflex may connect to the endorphins and produce an impulse to hold that whole pattern forther. In other words, it produces a defensive reflex. Not merely is it stuck because it's chemically so well built up, but also there is a defensive reflex which defends against evidence which might weaken it. Thus it all happens, one reflex after another after another. It's just a vast system of reflexes. And they form a 'structure' as they get more rigid.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Wholeness and the Implicate Order, David Bohm, 1980
Thought patterns become entrenched, creating defensive mechanisms that resist change and new evidence.
In simple terms: Hard‑wired habits defend themselves against change.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and gently challenge entrenched reflexes.
Themes
psychology
habit formation
defense mechanisms
change resistance
Mood
reflective
determined
hopeful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- Therapy sessions
- personal coaching
- behavioral change programs
- conflict resolution
- education curricula
Key Concepts
Neural conditioning
cognitive bias
feedback loops
Questions to Reflect On
- What defensive reflexes protect your current beliefs?
- How can you create safe spaces for challenging entrenched patterns?
A Different Perspective
Changing deep habits often triggers anxiety or denial, making progress slow.
![“The system [of thought] doesn't stay with the difficult problem that produces unpleasant feelings. It's conditioned somehow to move as fast as it can toward more pleasant feelings, without actually facing the thing that's making the unpleasant feeling.” quote by David Bohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e2a/david-bohm-4805_difficult_the-system-of-thought-doesn-t-stay-with_8291.jpg)
