“Unleash the Power of the Cerebrum”
According to Alan Watts http://deoxy.org/watts.htm “A Conversation with Myself” -- http://deoxy.org/video?v=8688992796818009166 and the Dalai Lama http://www.viewonbuddhism.org/Meditations/dalai_lama_meditation.html what is the instructive value of meditating or emptying the mind rather than the traditional studying in order to fill it?
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain that makes sense of signals sent from the sensory nerves in the body to process thoughts ideas, linguistics, and ideals. The brain is a complex magnificent organ which the creator gave our species which can conceive almost anything that’s possible.
However in all of its natural complexities, humans insist on simplifying the concept of thought, by interjecting knowledge and concepts. We tend to try to simplify in order to control our environment (i.e. - geometrics, science, mathematical formulas, technology, and linguistics).
When we think naturally, we think in colors, pictures or images, words, sounds, emotions, and languages. This process is a constant and fluid processing of information by the brain. When we interject science, math and other formal disciplines of information that’s learned; even though the brain has the natural capacity to process, understand, and store that information in its data base that process is counter the natural process of creativity.
Alan Watts (A Conversation with Myself) used the term “wiggly” that nature uses to flow with the naturalness of it movements. Human beings counteract nature by trying to place thoughts and ideas into simplified contexts (boxes, straight-line, rigid forms of life). The openness of ones mind allows for the natural flows of thought and creativity that’s meant for the mind to comprehend.
He further describes the brain as a network of interconnected neurons. A message of yes or no, but nature is far more complicated than that. Everything is interconnected, like a flower is connected to a field, the stem, dirt and water.
Non-Western alternatives which is working out the mind as it-is taps into the more embodied philosophies which are considered more in line with nature. The basis of Western culture is a logical formula of simplifying concepts which is counter to how nature really works, artificially causes a homeostasis of our universe. Nature is more of complex moving elements of the world.
2. How have alternative [i.e. non-Western] approaches to problem solving or healing worked for you or anyone that you know?
The body believes what the mind conceives and vice versa. If ones mind tells the body its sick it the body can become sick. In extreme cases ones mind can be interconnected that it can convince the body to become extremely ill. Psychosomatic disorder is the medical or clinical term used for a person whose mental emotions cause them to affect their physical organs. Therefore it’s imperative for us to be able to control our minds and direct our thoughts.
When I utilize Eastern philosophies of meditation my main objective is to place myself mentally and physically in a state of relaxation where the naturalness of thoughts and ideas flow freely. I can control my mind and direct my thoughts more freely when I’m able to effectively place myself in a meditative state. I can accomplish this state of being on a long ride in the country, or a long jog on a nature trail with my Ipod playing my favorite relaxing tunes. The ladder is my preference; because it allows me to connect with receive nature’s elements of the sun, air, wind, water, grass, birds, and the flowers.
Additionally, the physical nature of the cardio vascular activity causes my endorphin’s to increase which stimulates my brain waves that and serves to relax my thoughts. These elements facilitate a natural process of open mindedness, of which allows ideas to flow freely and uninhibited.
The Dalai Lama’s teachings of meditation encompasses an emptying of the mind of all thoughts through formal processes, which helps facilitate an environment of physical and mental mind openness. These processes help break-down the inhibitors that interferes with the steadiness of the object of observation and causes it to fluctuate; excitement or, in a more general way, scattering.
They help to reach clarity through the inner most intimate thoughts, so that the intensity of the mode of apprehension begins to lower. To withdraw the mind, it helps to think about something that makes you more sober, a little sad.
Another type of meditation involves looking at the mind itself. Try to leave your mind vividly in a natural state, without thinking of what happened in the past or of what you are planning for the future, without generating any conceptuality.
In theory something that’s formal in process and structured in its nature in order to be effective counterbalances the natural evolution of a thought process. The reality is the mind conceives thoughts and ideas whenever and however. One mind can be blocked by the very tension that can be created by the brain which can get consumed with the thought that the mind and body must take a specific planned time to meditate.
How many times have we heard of writers block, where someone who purposely has placed themselves in what they’ve considered a creative place of existence (i.e. - a cabin in the woods, a private hotel room, etc.) just to accomplish that sustainable mind-opening environment, but nothing happens? They cannot seem to collect their thoughts.
Dalai Lama teaches that a callisthenic training of the mind with persistent practice, consciousness may eventually be perceived or felt as an entity of mere luminosity and knowing, to which anything is capable of appearing and which, when appropriate conditions arise, can be generated in the image of whatsoever object.
I think what really works is a consistently seeking to create a balance of nature and science, because our civilization is built around formulaic concepts that drive our practical lives. But, in addition to inhibiting ideas and concepts, I utilize meditation to de-stress my mind, in order to promote better mental and physical health. I do subscribe to the philosophy of letting the mind flow of its own accord without conceptual overlay. Letting the mind rest in its natural state, and observe it.
If you are able to do a little meditation daily, withdrawing this scattered mind on one object inside, it is very helpful.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Evolutonism
The theory of Darwin proclaimed that species survive because their ancestors before them had certain superior traits that were passed down to their offspring. He believed that the unexplained circumstances in life counter any divine creation, because God would have intentionally made transparent reasoning for all things left unexplainable.
From Darwin’s prospective what God was supposed to BE; was perfect in every way, including all that He created, and therefore the imperfections in life were proof against God being responsible for creation of the world.
Thomas Aquinas that human existence is part of a divine plan (of Creationism). The imperfections are in fact perfect in God’s mind. There’s a purpose for everything, even the unexplainable.
Biologically man and other species are born into this world the way that they are. The question still remains why man is at the top of the food chain? Why man was made to be superior to the animals, vegetation, fish and crops placed on earth for man’s primary source of survival?
We are more than just a species that was more equipped to survive than others. It’s ironic that humans, who have something that no other organism have; the ability to evaluate our existence for a historical, contemporary and futuristic perspective. Who we are, and where we are going? Don’t seem to be as debated as the question of where we came from? Why is this knowledge so important for us to define?
In knowing our history part of what’s considered fact vs. fiction is the element of science. Therefore if biologists can determine the history of earth through fossil records it’s important to note that these facts earmark things that occurred in a time and place, what things probably looked like. Fossils are like a photograph of captured moments of history.
Now with relative science either previously developed or recently developed can calculate with some reasonableness a story or hypothesis of what occurred 100’s of millions of years ago.
With the evidence of science as an accepted barometer by society as factual evidence, so to is the story of the Bible which contradicts some of the scientific facts that are recounted about how the earth began.
The main thing that is consistent between both the recount of the Bible and scientific methodologies is we humans are often viewed as a superior species. Maybe that is true. Darwin would have us believe it was the evolution that brought us to superior species. And, un-foretold and unforeseen circumstances directed us though the maze of our own evolution from our ancestors with strong traits that so happened to bring us to a point where one man learned to make tools and solve problems. Well that’s one man’s theory.
However, survival is always the main component of evolution. Basic survival is influenced by environmental factors which force us to adapt. This truism would lead us to believe logically that if evolution was strictly tied to the environment then we probably would resemble robots rather than humans.
The environment has evolved significantly over the centuries, but humans relatively haven’t changed much in appearance.
So the question remains do our recognized superior traits allow us to control our evolution? Or are we still evolving to adapt to the changes in environmental conditions which adversely affect us in order to survive?
When the phrase is used “they don’t make them like they used to”! Does this also apply to human beings?
We recognize the evolutionary process was designed only for the fittest and strongest, but does tomorrows evolution mean the people that are the healthiest, least stressed, live the most Green Life, are the most intellectually adept are the ones that will survive? Just like the example of the evolution of cars. Will humans have to adapt to be more energy efficient, and safe?
It was Cicero who once said (contemporary translation) “Man not knowing the events that took place before in time, is like going through life as an infant”. Regardless of ones theories or ideological perspectives that fact remains that it is now and always has been man who’s deciphered what’s happened in history. Man made up the standards of science. Man determined the benchmark process of what’s acceptable or not in our society. Even the Bible is the chronicles of 8 men who through their own witness interpreted what occurred in history.
These facts are and will always be the impetus for a debate that will never be solved in contemporary times because no one was there to witness what happened! In our society it’s always so important for us to have one single answer for everything that effects our lives, especially when it comes to our history. Maybe there isn’t just one explanation, and maybe our history was a series of complicated and convoluted occurrences. I think that the evidence that we have discovered points towards the more complicated explanation than the Big Bang or any other singular theory.
From Darwin’s prospective what God was supposed to BE; was perfect in every way, including all that He created, and therefore the imperfections in life were proof against God being responsible for creation of the world.
Thomas Aquinas that human existence is part of a divine plan (of Creationism). The imperfections are in fact perfect in God’s mind. There’s a purpose for everything, even the unexplainable.
Biologically man and other species are born into this world the way that they are. The question still remains why man is at the top of the food chain? Why man was made to be superior to the animals, vegetation, fish and crops placed on earth for man’s primary source of survival?
We are more than just a species that was more equipped to survive than others. It’s ironic that humans, who have something that no other organism have; the ability to evaluate our existence for a historical, contemporary and futuristic perspective. Who we are, and where we are going? Don’t seem to be as debated as the question of where we came from? Why is this knowledge so important for us to define?
In knowing our history part of what’s considered fact vs. fiction is the element of science. Therefore if biologists can determine the history of earth through fossil records it’s important to note that these facts earmark things that occurred in a time and place, what things probably looked like. Fossils are like a photograph of captured moments of history.
Now with relative science either previously developed or recently developed can calculate with some reasonableness a story or hypothesis of what occurred 100’s of millions of years ago.
With the evidence of science as an accepted barometer by society as factual evidence, so to is the story of the Bible which contradicts some of the scientific facts that are recounted about how the earth began.
The main thing that is consistent between both the recount of the Bible and scientific methodologies is we humans are often viewed as a superior species. Maybe that is true. Darwin would have us believe it was the evolution that brought us to superior species. And, un-foretold and unforeseen circumstances directed us though the maze of our own evolution from our ancestors with strong traits that so happened to bring us to a point where one man learned to make tools and solve problems. Well that’s one man’s theory.
However, survival is always the main component of evolution. Basic survival is influenced by environmental factors which force us to adapt. This truism would lead us to believe logically that if evolution was strictly tied to the environment then we probably would resemble robots rather than humans.
The environment has evolved significantly over the centuries, but humans relatively haven’t changed much in appearance.
So the question remains do our recognized superior traits allow us to control our evolution? Or are we still evolving to adapt to the changes in environmental conditions which adversely affect us in order to survive?
When the phrase is used “they don’t make them like they used to”! Does this also apply to human beings?
We recognize the evolutionary process was designed only for the fittest and strongest, but does tomorrows evolution mean the people that are the healthiest, least stressed, live the most Green Life, are the most intellectually adept are the ones that will survive? Just like the example of the evolution of cars. Will humans have to adapt to be more energy efficient, and safe?
It was Cicero who once said (contemporary translation) “Man not knowing the events that took place before in time, is like going through life as an infant”. Regardless of ones theories or ideological perspectives that fact remains that it is now and always has been man who’s deciphered what’s happened in history. Man made up the standards of science. Man determined the benchmark process of what’s acceptable or not in our society. Even the Bible is the chronicles of 8 men who through their own witness interpreted what occurred in history.
These facts are and will always be the impetus for a debate that will never be solved in contemporary times because no one was there to witness what happened! In our society it’s always so important for us to have one single answer for everything that effects our lives, especially when it comes to our history. Maybe there isn’t just one explanation, and maybe our history was a series of complicated and convoluted occurrences. I think that the evidence that we have discovered points towards the more complicated explanation than the Big Bang or any other singular theory.
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