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