“… the question of how an objective brain can produce our individual experiences of consciousness remains.” (Sargent, 2016)
I’ve been thinking intensely about whether it’s possible that this unidentified space within our skulls is the key between functioning in this physical world and connecting to a higher purpose. Perhaps it’s this space that we should be seeking to purposefully understand in the first instance, before looking to the outside world for answers. Perhaps the answers to our existence live inside of our minds! In any case, I’m naming this space ‘inner wisdom’. I want to think that this is where we process experience and learnings. That this space is where our greatest growth potential happens.
Scientists have conducted various studies by using MRI to identify active areas of the brain when we sleep (unconscious). The results are fascinating because we would assume that the brain is inactive during sleep. Wrong! It seems that the brain is just as active, whether or not we are consciously awake. Our minds are mysterious, incredibly powerful, and complicated! So while scientists are exploring the mind from the outside, there are those of us who are embarking on journeys to discover our own minds from within.
Practicing techniques that slow the conscious ‘awake’ mind down are starting points to tapping into this ‘inner wisdom’. It’s argued that people who practice mindfulness have more cognitive flexibility (Moore & Malinowski, 2009). Basically, a more agile mind enables us to switch or shift from one dimension to another (Prahlada Raao, 2016). When I say dimension, I am thinking of conscious and sub-conscious, moving from one concept to another, etc.
“… as the popularity of mindfulness grows, brain imaging techniques are revealing that this ancient practice can profoundly change the way different regions of the brain communicate with each other – and therefore how we think – permanently.” (Ireland, 2014)
George (2015) states that mindfulness is the practice of self observation without judgement, with a focus on our minds and inner voices. By practicing mindfulness, we develop a momement-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the environments that we find ourselves in.
Regardless of whether you are preoccupied with day-to-day living or consciously adopting a growth mindset, each day equips you with countless lessons and opportunities to develop and grow. The growth potential is infinite! And whilst living isn’t always easy, instinct might try to convince you that routine and predictability is safe, it’s worth noting that adopting rigid routines doesn’t make it any easier or safer. Rigidity only serves to feed the ‘auto pilot’ mode a.k.a. the zombie. In other words, it doesn’t inspire creativity or self-awareness. REPEAT, nothing great is born from rigidity. Nothing grows in stagnation. Be mindful of this!
“Consciousness is only possible through change; change is only possible through movement.” (Huxley, 1982)
Reflect on your day everyday. Set yourself growth goals and try to understand how the interactions with others makes you feel. Don’t be afraid to feel. You’re not a zombie. Embrace good days and challenging days. Afterall, tough days are great because they provide a lot of food for thought! I’ve learnt to embrace them for this reason. Anyway, the point is that the growth potential is there and if you sit and reflect you too will deal with life a little bit smarter and more meaningful each day because you are consciously choosing to learn about yourself by slowing down and turning your attention inwards. Activate your ‘inner wisdom’.
By Evie Medeiros ©2016
References:
George, B (2015) The Power of Mindful Leadership. The Huffington Post [Online] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-george/the-power-of-mindful-lead_b_7878482.html.
Huxley, A (1982) The Art of Seeing. Creative Arts Book Company, Berkeley, CA.
Ireland, T (2014) What Does Mindfulness Meditation Do to Your Brain? Scientific American [Online] https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/what-does-mindfulness-meditation-do-to-your-brain/.
Moore, A & Malinowski, P (2013) Examining workplace mindfulness and its relations to job performance and turnover intention. Human Relations, 67 (1), 105-128.
Prahlada Raao, K (2016) What Is Cognitive Flexibility? Mental Health Daily [Online] http://mentalhealthdaily.com/2015/07/24/what-is-cognitive-flexibility/.
Sargent, E (2016) States of Mind: Tracing the Edges of Consciousness. The Wellcome Collection, London.
Mindfully Marvellous 