Self AwarenessPart 1
Understanding Your Mind
Four divisions of the mind
Our mind is divided in four ways
First Division: Body vs MindBody has a mind of its own (Autonomic Nervous System)Gut Brain/Regional admin. center/(100 mn neurons)
Four divisions of the mind (contd.)
Second Division: Left vs RightTwo separate hemisphere joined by a bundle of nerves (Corpus Callosum)
Left: Language processing, Analytical TasksRight: Processing patterns
Confabulation: Fabricate reasons for their own behaviourInterpreter module (language centers on the left hemisphere)
Four divisions of the mind (contd.)Third Division: New vs Old
VertebratesClumps of neurons (Hind brain, Mid brain, Forebrain)
Early Mammals (Forebrain developed a new outer shell – Limbic system)
Hypothalamus (Specialized to coordinate basic drives & motivation)Hippocampus (Specialized for memory)Amygdala (Specialized for emotional learning & responses)
Social MammalsNeocortex (new covering over the old limbic system)Frontal Cortex (Engaged in thinking, planning & decision making)Orbitofrontal cortex
Four divisions of the mind (contd.)
New vs Old
VIDEO – HUMAN BRAINVIDEO – HUMAN BRAIN
If Drug C is used: 400 will die
If Drug D is used: 1/3 chance that nobody will die, and 2/3 chance that 600 will die
If Drug A is used: 200 will be saved
If Drug B is used: 1/3 chance that all will be saved and 2/3 chance that nobody will be saved
Four divisions of the mind (contd.)
Fourth Division: Controlled vs Automatic
Auto ProcessingGood at parallel processingThousands of product cycle & nearly perfectEg. Chess/Walk in the forestDopamine release button
Four divisions of the mind (contd.)
Fourth Division: Controlled vs Automatic
Controlled Processing:We can think consciously about one thing at a time onlyRequires language (words):
To weigh pros & consTo plan something complexAnalyze past successes & failures
New softwareEscape the tyranny of here and nowAllows people to think about the long term goals
Relation between Rider & the Elephant
Failure of Self ControlDelay gratificationStrategy: Shift attention
Mental IntrusionThe Difficulty of Winning an Argument
Moral arguments:Feelings come firstReasons are invented along the way
Changing Your Mind
Changing Your Mind
Mindfulness Practice(a form of meditation)
The goal of this practice is to change automatic thought processes, thereby taming the elephant
Changing Your Mind
1. Observe
2. Acknowledge
3. Return
• The practice of not participating empowers us to see that the products of the mind are not permanent
- means not to participate
- means not to judge
• The practice of not judging strengthens our ability to observe and accept what happens
- means to exercise choice
• The practice of exercising choice restores our ability to choose when and how to act
Changing Your Mind (contd.)
AttachmentsIs like gambling – you lose more than you gain
Step away from the table to ensure you do not react to the up & downs of life
This is possible by meditation
Meditation tames and calms your Elephant
It helps reduce fearful & negative thoughts