So Who's Really In Control?

Listen, I know your family is well above average, just like everyone at Lake Wobegon.

But in case your statistics class does not cause you to question that, consider instead these insights from an unlikely source ... Dr. Greger talking about marketing and its role in the obesity epidemic:

So please watch this short (< 6 min) video.  Not only to understand how the state of your mind, and your mindfulness (or lack thereof), can leave your unconscious mind open to manipulation by marketing, and hence, over-eating unhealthy food.

But more critically, to make you aware of the science behind your unconscious reactivity to habits, cues, and triggers.  Surely we can relate to the examples in the video, even if we are positive that each of us is well-above average 😬

As I listened to this video, I was amazed at the connections between these marketing efforts, and what insights were needed to counter them.  It is directly related to the Vipassana Meditation techniques and objectives as taught by S.N. Goenka during my recent 10-day meditation retreat.

Really fascinating when you realize this is a 2500-year old technique, discovered by the Buddha through direct observation of his own mind and body.

To become truly free ... in this case from outside manipulation ...  

But more broadly from being controlled by our craving and aversion ...  

We must dig deeply into our so-called unconscious mind-body ...  

And through awareness, wisdom, and equanimity ...

Break the bondage of our habitual, compulsive reactivity.

So many connections ... all pointing in the same direction ... I love it!

This is Gonna Be a Disaster!

Tsunami? No, but not "The Eddie" either, North Shore, Oahu, HI, February 2016, 
Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens,122mm, 1/640 sec @ f13, ISO 320, -0.67 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp 

There is an instinctual tendency of your mind to do “disaster planning”.  Have you noticed it?  It doesn’t matter if you are in a stressful or emergency situation — it will happen anytime.  

For example, I might be on vacation, sitting on a patio overlooking the ocean.  Waves breaking the reef, sun glistening on the water, clouds floating by quietly overhead.  A more tranquil setting would be hard to find.  

And then *boom*, I notice my mind (on its own) has gone into disaster planning mode.  What if a giant tsunami followed one of those waves.  I’d see the water rush away from the coast back into the sea.  Would I recognize it is an impending tsunami?  If so, how fast could I react?  Where are my escape routes?  Would I climb on the roof of this building, or seek higher ground?

And in those moments, I am no longer “aware” of the tranquil setting that is my current reality, and instead have defaulted to disaster planning.  I can feel my chest tighten, my heartbeat increase, my skin start to tingle.  

Now if I decided, consciously, that this was a good time to rehearse such a scenario — fine.  That would be a deliberate and conscious plan to become prepared.  But that’s not what is going on.  It is operating in the background, taking me out of the present moment, and disturbing my inner peace and tranquility.

Evolution “thinks” this is fine — “it” only cares about my survival and the ability to pass on my genes …. my “raison d’etre.”  But personally, I’m more interested in my peace and tranquility at this point in my life — my two children now take over the role of gene transporters.  

So what is my point?  Only this:  you can and should gain control over your mind.   This is what "Mindfulness” is all about.  Use your thinking, rationale mind, as a tool, but keep it under your control.  If you stop and settle your mind for a few minutes every morning, you will notice you do not have that control as default.  That capability must be developed and strengthened just like any muscle exercise.  But it can be done.

And if you want to be Mindful, in each moment, with full awareness and acceptance of whatever situation you are in, this is something you should pursue.

Oh yeah, and speaking of being Mindful:

How are you walking through life?  Time to "no-think" like your dog, and just be aware.

Namaste.