Sunday Musings - January 15, 2023
In my blog of January 8, I suggested that although what we refer to as mental is a physical process in the body, talk therapy can be helpful for many living with an illness or condition which affects how one experiences reality. There are exceptions, of course, such as when the mind is incapable of imagining a shared reality or allowig for the possibility of a reality other than the one a mind is currently experiencing.
Optimal brain functioning has more than one voice. We humans are certainly not the only animal capable of problem solving. We may, however, be the only animal capable of simultaneously being both the observer and the participant; of both experiencing a specific reality while examining the process of how we arrived at that reality thus allowing for an alternate reality. We usually arrive at a particular reality by interpreting the current sensations of touch, smell, hearing and sight. We do this partly by comparison with the memories associated with these sensations. Thus, if the sensations we are currently experiencing resemble those from a past experience, we may react as if it is the same experience. For example, if a combat veteran hears a loud noise resembling a combat noise he or she may react as if they are in mortal danger when in in fact the noise may be the backfiring of a car, fireworks or some other non-fatal noise which does not indicate danger. In other words, the memory of associating a loud noise with danger has to be expanded if the person is now going to safely and comfortably live in a non-combat situation. The person has to implant a new or different set of possibilities; sometimes the noise indicates danger and often it may not. The person has to be both the observer and the participant. The participant experiences a sensation of sight, hearing, or smell. The observer part of their brain can further access the situation to determine if it is a danger or not. The observer part of their brain can also practice what one of my teachers calls, non-duality. Non-duality is the act of withholding labeling the event as good or bad, right or wrong. This allows a more scientific approach to reacting to the event or stimulus. This process involves a lot of brain activity even if it may, at times, seem to occur in a brief time.
How well the various parts of the brain functions depend on chemical balance and other factors including diet, exercise, emotional and spiritual support and the working of other organs. Thyroid function, heart function, physical pain, alcohol, other drug use, environmental factors, rest among others can also affect how the brain determines or experiences reality.
Talk therapy can:
Written January 15, 2023
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
In my blog of January 8, I suggested that although what we refer to as mental is a physical process in the body, talk therapy can be helpful for many living with an illness or condition which affects how one experiences reality. There are exceptions, of course, such as when the mind is incapable of imagining a shared reality or allowig for the possibility of a reality other than the one a mind is currently experiencing.
Optimal brain functioning has more than one voice. We humans are certainly not the only animal capable of problem solving. We may, however, be the only animal capable of simultaneously being both the observer and the participant; of both experiencing a specific reality while examining the process of how we arrived at that reality thus allowing for an alternate reality. We usually arrive at a particular reality by interpreting the current sensations of touch, smell, hearing and sight. We do this partly by comparison with the memories associated with these sensations. Thus, if the sensations we are currently experiencing resemble those from a past experience, we may react as if it is the same experience. For example, if a combat veteran hears a loud noise resembling a combat noise he or she may react as if they are in mortal danger when in in fact the noise may be the backfiring of a car, fireworks or some other non-fatal noise which does not indicate danger. In other words, the memory of associating a loud noise with danger has to be expanded if the person is now going to safely and comfortably live in a non-combat situation. The person has to implant a new or different set of possibilities; sometimes the noise indicates danger and often it may not. The person has to be both the observer and the participant. The participant experiences a sensation of sight, hearing, or smell. The observer part of their brain can further access the situation to determine if it is a danger or not. The observer part of their brain can also practice what one of my teachers calls, non-duality. Non-duality is the act of withholding labeling the event as good or bad, right or wrong. This allows a more scientific approach to reacting to the event or stimulus. This process involves a lot of brain activity even if it may, at times, seem to occur in a brief time.
How well the various parts of the brain functions depend on chemical balance and other factors including diet, exercise, emotional and spiritual support and the working of other organs. Thyroid function, heart function, physical pain, alcohol, other drug use, environmental factors, rest among others can also affect how the brain determines or experiences reality.
Talk therapy can:
- Invite one to stand outside the current experience.
- Invite one to consider if their current experience of reality is being determined by old fears, depression, chemical balance or possibly other factors.
- invite one to “fact check” the reality. For example, a person with whom I was talking had “learned” as a child that he was never good enough. He still gets fearful of being judged and found wanting, despite the fact that he is a highly respected, accomplished man in his personal and professional life. He is now learning to “fact check” and correct the lies he internalized as a child. Fact checking might also affirm one’s current reality. For example, another person with whom I recently talked is in an abusive relationship. The fact is that she is in danger and does need to find a path to safety.
- Invite one to know that other factors are affecting one’s perception of reality and, thus, refrain from acting on one’s initial perception/experience.
- Invite one to experience an alternative reality. For example, if one has a traumatic background and has become fearful of all relationships one can experience a positive, safe relationship with the therapist.
- Invite one to learn more about what action, if any, to take regarding one’s perceptions of reality.
- Invite one to experience a relationship which contradicts the fear or other negative emotions past relationships engendered.
- Invite one to learn more about how the human body functions and what feeds or steals its health.
- Invite one to identify other community resources for healing and basic, holistic health.
Written January 15, 2023
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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